NUS president targets second term as Graham runs for NEC

NUS Scotland President Liam Burns has announced his candidacy for a second term in the same week that EUSA President Thomas Graham submitted his nomination for a place on NUS UK’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

The pair have endorsed each other and share similar manifesto pledges, focussing on securing a positive settlement in the higher education funding review, encouraging better community relations in student areas, and improving university teaching standards.

Mr Graham told The Journal: “One of the reasons I’m running for the NEC is that I think NUS UK needs a strong voice for Scotland. Too often NUS UK is centred around England and it is important that all the nations have their say, particularly given the higher education funding review will have a massive impact on all the students in the UK.

"I'm going back to being a full time student next year and hope I can offer a real student perspective on the block. It's easy for NUS to become an organisation of sabbaticals and former student union sabbaticals, I think a real student voice is important."

Liam Burns was elected president last year by the toss of a coin after delegation votes were split 50/50. Mr Burns told The Journal he definitely does not want that to happen again.

“We might not get it right all the time, we might not come across as slick as we would like, but I promise you that whenever we do win, it will be as one union and not because of anyone individual. I know you want an NUS Scotland that wins for Scotland’s students.

“Once again, I ask you for the opportunity to work for your students as NUS Scotland President.”

Mr Burns faces opposition from Napier student Nathan Sparling, although he has also been confirmed as a nominee for NSA President.

Elections for NUS UK will take place at the Annual National Conference in Newcastle from 13 to 15 April 2010.