Jay Basra

I am Jay Basra, a Student Councillor representing the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty.  A priority for me is urgently reforming Queen’s University Belfast’s Students’ Union. In its current form, it does not fully represent the student body; we only have to look at the turnout of students at elections or referendums to see proof of this. A student union must represent all students and should not allow one opinion to be championed over the other. However, this has been the case in many instances throughout the SU history at Queen’s. The Students’ Union should not be synonymous with being a cold house for students from certain communities, but it is. Each year, we get sound bites as to how to fix this, but year after year, it has gotten ever more colder and irreconcilable. If elected President, I wish  to change that for the betterment of all students.

Reform the SU to make it truly representative

There have been several instances where a small number of students have cast their vote on issues, which have a lasting impact on the SU. Yet, the turnout is disappointingly low. With well over 20,000 students, we should be seeing much higher numbers. To truly represent the diverse student body, we need a system that ensures all communities are heard at all levels of the Student Union. The decisions made by the SU can significantly affect our students' future, so we cannot allow a minority to dictate the trajectory of SU policy. We must foster growth and ensure academic excellence by giving every student a voice through their Union to secure their future.

Therefore, we must ensure higher turnouts; the very meaning of democracy is “people power.” In this circumstance, it’s the students; we cannot call ourselves a democracy if only a minority votes in these referendums and elections. We must incentivise these people by showing them what the SU can do for them and their student lives. This could be achieved through targeted campaigns, improved communication, and creating a more inclusive environment. That means helping a student’s everyday life and studying by whatever means possible rather than jumping on the populist bandwagon, the newest political trend.

Recognition and Equality of the Ulster-Scots language and culture

Since being elected to the Student Council in October, I have been lobbying for the recognition of the Ulster-Scots language on campus. I drafted an amendment to the SU constitution that would see Ulster Scots recognised, citing the New Decade New Approach Agreement, which had been used to recognise the Irish Language. I held a taster event in the Senate Room for Students, which gained a great level of interest, leading to the desire to create a society to promote it on campus. I am currently working closely with the prospective President, or should I say, Heid Yin, of the Ulster-Scots Society. At the current moment, the SU is championing the Irish Language over Ulster Scots; there is no equality there. With rising interest in the language, it seems obvious that the SU should promote it, but it is not. The Ulster-Scots language, culture and heritage deserve equality and recognition. Every student's voice, including those who identify with the Ulster-Scots culture, should be heard and acknowledged within the SU.

Warming up the Cold House

Many communities, including the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist community I am a part of, feel the SU is a cold house. We cannot hide from the fact that the SU has always been synonymous with its lack of inclusivity.  Many students from this community feel that the SU does not truly represent their culture and identity. There is a clear need for work to be done on this, and this cannot be brushed aside as it has been done in years previously. Not just for the PUL community but all communities who feel othered and unwelcome. Every student, regardless of their background, should feel valued and respected within the SU.

Divisive policies have been adopted by the SU, such as abortion pills being available in the SU, although not enacted, it shows quite clearly how a small group of people can influence the entire Union. We are a student union representative of our students. How can we accommodate those who may oppose or have reservations about such policies? We are a Students’ Union, not a legislative assembly; we must be inclusive of all. Everyone has a right to study here. Those that believe that life begins at conception have just as much right to study here. As a candidate, I am committed to fostering open discussions and finding solutions that respect all viewpoints.

If you want to make a difference, Vote Basra for Reform in the SU.