The UCU Left is a national organisation of University and College Union activists. It is committed to ensuring that the new union has a democratic structure through which members can determine policy, and elected officers and professional officials can be held accountable. It seeks to defend educational equality, and to oppose the consequences of neo-liberal marketisation. It is opposed to all forms of racism, sexism, oppression and imperialism.
NEC Election - Regional Seat - FE London & East

Sean Vernell (City and Islington College)

Election Address

Marginalisation and cuts

I wish to represent London region FE members on the NEC because I am angered at the direction the sector is headed. Since incorporation ushered in competition, we have seen FE increasingly become marginalised within education. A fixation on market led initiatives has led to 1,000’s of jobs losses, the creation of an army of casualised staff, pay falling behind other professionals year after year and workload spiralling out of control. All of which has had a direct impact on our students’ education.

If elected I would strive to ensure that all campaigns around these issues are fully supported by UCU and through advice and practical solidarity.


An alternative vision

I believe that alongside these campaigns we need to promote our alternative vision to government’s narrow market led educational values. That is why I have written the 'Manifesto for Further Education', which the London Region has adopted to raise our ideas and proposals about the future direction of FE.

I attended FE as a student and have been working in the sector for five years. Millions of people, like me, have been given a second chance in life through FE. The cuts in adult and ESOL educational provision symbolise all that is rotten about those who make the decisions affecting the lives of 1,000’s of lecturers and millions of students.

I am proud to have played an active part in The Stop The war Coalition and Unite Against Fascism. I believe it is essential that the union continues to campaign over these wider political issues.

In June 2006, I helped organise the launch conference for the UCU Left to facilitate a campaigning network which brings together all those wishing to resist the attacks brought on by market led policies in education.

We will need strong regional organisation rooted in the branches that can deliver the coordinated action we will need if we are going to implement our vision of FE.


I will be campaigning for:

  • An alternative view of FE by promoting the Manifesto for Further Education.


  • £6,000 London weighting allowance in line with other public sector workers.


  • A significant decrease in workload.


  • Staff to have an equal say in the running and structures of their course and colleges.


  • An end to casualisation.


  • A stop to the cuts in ESOL and Adult Education.


  • Opposition to all redundancies.

Biographical information including service to the union

UCU involvement at national and branch level:

  • I have been Branch Secretary of City and Islington College, Camden Road branch for the last four years.


  • I am a delegate to the London Regional Council, where I serve as a member of its executive.


  • I was a delegate to the last two NATFHE National Conferences.


  • I am the author of the Manifesto for Further Education.


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