► United Against Fascism

Paper H

Motion to First ULU Council

United Against Fascism

This Union Notes:

1. The British National Party (BNP) has 20 councilors across Britain and polled 808,200 votes, 4.9% of the national vote, in the European elections of 2004. In London, the BNP was 5,720 votes away from winning a seat on the Greater London Assembly.

2. It unsuccessfully fielded 119 candidates in the general election of 2005, polling 192,750 votes, 4.2% of the national vote.

3. Campuses and students are a new target group for recruiting new BNP members, increasing racism and prejudice within the student body.

This Union further notes:

1.      Unite Against Fascism (UAF) is a broad national campaign formed to defeat the BNP, uniting trades unions, anti-racists, anti-fascists, MPs, MEPs, faith groups and all those opposed to the BNP.

2.      UAF has been actively campaigning against the BNP and other fascist organizations. Prior to the 2004 European, London and local elections, UAF’s  main objective was to raise voter turnout in order to stop the BNP from gaining seats on the London Assemble, the European Parliament and local councils.

3.      As a result of this work, the BNP failed to gain a seat on the London Assembly or in the European Parliament.

4.      In 2005, the BNP failed to gain any parliamentary seats in the general election. UAF’s local groups prevented the BNP from gaining councilors in many areas.

5.      The BNP lost its only council seat in London in June 2005.

6.      UAF recognizes that despite these successes the BNP continues to be a serious threat. UAF runs a national campaign to unite opposition to fascism, to expose the nature of the BNP and to raise the voter turnout in elections.

This Union believes:

1. The BNP is a fascist, racist organization that stands for an all-white Britain, the destruction of trades unions and the elimination of basic democratic rights.

2. The BNP seeks to attract votes on the basis of racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and the vilification of refugees and asylum seekers.

3. It is now trying to present itself as a “respectable” political party.

This Union further believes:

1. Our students have the right to work and live in an environment free from fear and discrimination.

2. Discrimination against any person on the grounds of ethnic origin, race or religion is in contravention of the ULU Equal Opportunities Policy.

3. The BNP is attracting a growing and more diverse membership.

This Union resolves:

1. To support Unite Against Fascism.

2. To encourage unions in constituent colleges to pass policy supporting the UAF campaign.

3. To support and run events for Student Riseweek, the London wide anti-racism festival, and to encourage unions in constituent colleges to get involved.

4. To support and run anti-racist events during Equalities Month 2006, in collaboration with constituent unions.

5. To promote the aims and objectives of Unite Against Fascism to our members throughout the academic year.

Proposed by: Nicky Grant V-P (Welfare & Student Affairs)

Seconded by: Stewart Halforty ULU President