The University has voted to stay part of the NUS – on a dismal EIGHT per cent turnout.
Just 1,259 students voted in the latest referendum, asking students: “Should YUSU affiliate with the NUS?”
Of those who did, 65 per cent – or 813 – voted to stay part of the NUS, with 33 per cent – or 415 – backing leaving.
Worringly, this means just 7.65 per cent of students turned out to vote, but this is slightly higher than last year’s five motions referenda which only attracted a 7.5 per cent turnout.
Writing on Facebook, YUSU President Kallum Taylor said: “Well done to all involved… I’m absolutely bloody delighted and relieved with the YES vote winning… But I think we all know we have to take some of what the NO campaign were talking about with us.”
When asked about turnout, he added: “I think it’s the Unions 6th highest turnout… It’s really not a turnout to celebrate at all but this was a referendum mainly planned and fought during the exam season, and I’d say that both sides seemed to have put their tools down over the weekend.
“But it’s quorum, and it’s probably a hell of a lot better than other other SU’s…
“Happy to hear ideas on how to bump that up though, always have been, but we don’t get many ideas sadly.”
It is worth noting that three years ago the vote-shares were 751 (70%) for Yes, 263 (24%) for No and 65 abstentions, on a turnout of 6.9% – so that’s a swing of about 7% from Yes in favour of No on a slightly increased turnout.