Just under three years ago, we formed the University of Ulster DUP, at a time where Unionist students had literally no voice at UU. Since that time, our increasingly visible presence has proven that Unionists now have a strong voice at the University, and within the Students Union itself. We have represented students across NI at all campuses, and it is clear that the Democratic Unionist Party continues to be the voice of the majority of Unionist students in Northern Ireland. We are the local party leading for youth.
At UU, we have been busy on each campus throughout the academic year. In our first couple of years, we were confronted with numerous examples where Unionist students felt sidelined or alienated at UU. We assisted these students with many issues, and went directly to the University, specifically when students felt they could not approach their Union. Since that time, we have actively taken part in student elections at both a single campus, and cross campus level throughout the University.
During the last academic year, we had representatives sitting on the General Council of the S.U, and on the Site Executive at Jordanstown campus. In that time, the General Council oversaw UUSU’s biggest organisational restructure ever. There are now far more checks and balances in place, and more opportunities for student involvement throughout the University. It is a fact that without our input and involvement, these changes would not have been nearly as democratically fair.
In March of this year, I stood in the most recent Student elections for an overall four campus position, and was greatly encouraged to see the Unionist vote rise significantly across each of the four campuses. There is still much work to be done at UU, but in order to achieve this, and to encourage more Unionist involvement across NI’s student landscape, we need to work alongside other Unionist groupings throughout the Universities and FE colleges.
Recently, a group of us representing the DUP (including some Ulster DUP members) attended an event entitled; “Unionist Youth Conference – What is the future of Unionism?” Delegates were present from each Unionist Party, and those present heard speeches from younger party members, younger councillors and a party representative in the form of an MLA. There was also a lively panel discussion at the event, and whilst issues such as youth participation in politics were high on the agenda, it was clear to those present that the only delegates talking seriously about closer unionist cooperation and how unionists should work together in the interests of the Province, were those representing the DUP.
We will work alongside our DUP counterparts at QUB to encourage more Unionists to see the benefit of being associated with the most active Unionist party in local Universities. We also encourage all Unionist students at the University of Ulster, more specifically those joining in September, to join us in building upon the good work we have achieved thus far. We will continue to change what had become a stagnant student political setting, and in return ensure that Unionist Participation is a fundamental part of UU going forward.
