This year's NUS conference again demonstrated the bankruptcy of the SW and Socialist Organiser's methods in fighting the NOLS leadership Although the Socialist Organiser-dominated Left Unity Booth came very close to beating Lorna Fitzsimmons, the NOIS contender, they failed to win a single full-time position on the NEC.
The one victory of the weekend was the passing of the position of Black Officer into the constitution. This post has been fought for by black students for a long time and marks a step forward in the recognition of the right of oppressed groups to autonomy within the student movement However, the Conference was once again notable for the completely undemocratic of the NOLS leadership. This year, conterence 99415 artificially lengthened to push through a witch-nunns vote or no confidence in three left members of the NEC Left Unity's court action against the decision to abolish Vinter Conference is continuing, despite criticism from both the right and the left for using the bourgeois courts.
Neither Left Unity nor SWSS can achieve the unity of the left necessary to defeat NOLS. What is needed is a genuine Broad Lett committed not just to electoral success at conference but, more importantiy, to building a real base in the colleges to recreate and democratic student union.