Isn’t Congress the supreme policy making body of the Union?

Yes, for all its weaknesses, Congress is the supreme policy making body of the union. The ballot that we want is an indicative one.. Congress ought to know what the members of the union think, and must be guided by that knowledge.

Shouldn’t we hear the debates first, then decide?

Yes, we should hear the debates. UCU is organising debates which are to be held in the first term.. UCU members should go to the debates. We are asking that the debates should be followed by an indicative ballot. The rationale for the debate is to inform members of the arguments for and against a boycott. By the end of October, the debates will have taken place: then the members should, based on the debates and other information, have a direct say.

Are the members informed enough to make a decision?

You’re not in UCU Left are you? Our members are the most highly informed, thoughtful union members in the country. They have a right to express their views, and make their voice heard. We think this is an elitist question, which runs counter to the democratic and member-led nature of the UCU.

Don’t we need an active membership?

We want members to take an active role in the union. We believe that many want to do so – and many want to have a direct vote particularly on the issue of a boycott. One way in which they and we want to be active is to help to determine the direction of the union, is by having a direct vote in a ballot on the boycott. Blocking a ballot stops people form taking an active role. And passing a boycott policy in the absence of a ballot would simply alienate members.

What should be the question in this ballot?

The debate is focussed on one question: Should the UCU adopt a boycott of Israeli academic institutions?

In theory, worries about the question might matter, in practice, everyone knows what this is about.

You are both anti-boycott. Isn’t this just a ruse to defeat it?

It’s true that we both oppose a boycott, but this isn’t a ruse. Some supporters of the boycott also favour a ballot. They realise that a boycott without a democratic mandate will lack legitimacy. We agree with them. Either the members will support a boycott or not. The Union must let us, the members, decide.

Wouldn’t a ballot be expensive?

The current disruption to the normal working of the union is much more expensive than a simple ballot would be. And deciding on a policy without knowing the views of the members would be a catastrophic – and expensive – mistake, as hundreds of members tear up their union cards.