Thursday 14th June saw UJS host our 10th annual student awards. The evening was a celebration of the hundreds of student leaders and volunteers who have dedicated tens of thousands of hours to leading, defending and enriching Jewish life on campus.

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UJS is deeply disappointed that students at the University of Sussex voted to renew the Student Union’s BDS policy; a view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that is narrow, harmful and one-sided. However, the students who ran the positive counter-campaign should be incredibly proud of the work they have done in portraying an alternative view of the conflict to students. We are working closely with the Jewish Society to ensure the insidious consequences of BDS that we have seen on too many campuses following similar results do not occur in Sussex.

UJS welcomes Minister Gyimah’s clarification on the role of the Office For Students. When we met with the Minister last month, we shared our position in support of free speech on campus, and also drew attention to the need for clearer guidance on the issue of free speech and incitement.

There is no doubt that this has been one of the most inspirational and insightful weeks of my life. I feel it can be summed up in one word – a journey.

As a common youth, it is all too easy for me to fall into the trap of thinking that local elections do not matter. My university provides almost all of my institutional requirements, and the rest are fulfilled by my parents. I don’t pay council tax and I am far away enough from owning a house that housing issues appear to not affect me at all.  So why will I be voting on the 3rd of May? Why will I be voting for the Liberal Democrats, a party that appears to be constantly followed by a barely hidden snigger whenever mentioned?

On 3^rd May the people will go to the polls once again. I know what you are thinking, as Brenda from Bristol put it, “not another one!”. In just the last few years we have had two general elections and a referendum that has resulted in the largest constitutional change in modern British history. Nevertheless, the upcoming local elections are arguably the vote that will have the most impact on your day to day life. You get to decide who will run your local council, ensure bins get collected regularly, pot holes are fixed, trees trimmed, houses built and the public gardens watered.

Young people are less likely to vote in elections than the older generations. According to YouGov only 57% of first time voters (18 and 19 year olds) voted in the 2017 general election compared to 84% of voters of the age of 70. This youth apathy has been used by politicians to attack the youth, for example by trebling tuition fees, without fear of reprimand. A high youth turn out will force politicians to put young people’s interests first. 

Politicians must chose priorities. This is the nature of decision-making with limited resources, and no one disputes this. Each cause has its champions, be it wildlife conservation, accessible education, or productivity and prosperity. These champions are people who the public rely on; that the public depend on.  

Enjoy the video below and our introductions to the talented team working with and for you this year.