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► How to write a motion
How do I write and structure a motion?
The motion is split into three parts and below the example explains what these three sections mean:-
This Union Notes
This part of the motion requires an explanation of the situation currently and is required to set the scene for those unaware, the detail in this must be factual and correct at the time of submission and can include one or multiple points.
This Union Believes
This part of the motion explains what is wrong with the situation explained in “Union Notes” the case for the motion and why you believe it should be submitted.
This Union Resolves
This part of the motion is what you believe should happen or actions or steps the Union should take to resolve the issues raised by the motion.
Before I submit?
Check the motion is correct in both grammar and punctuation. It is possible when we check the motion that we may miss any errors. Also make sure you have the motion seconded by someone, if you can’t find anyone and you believe in the motion try and approach one of the Full time or part time officers or even one of the societies in which your motion relates to (If it does).
Where do I submit a motion?
You can submit the motion via email to the Democratic Services Co-ordinator at yousuf@uel.ac.uk
Adapted from the University of Swansea SU document, 'How to write a motion?'
Examples of previous motions
Motion 1) Defend the Right to Protest
We Note
1. In the days leading up to the royal wedding, police made a number of pre-emptive arrests. Activists were arrested on the charge of “conspiracy to cause public nuisance and breach of the peace” for trying to organise anti-monarchy street theatre. Large teams of officers raided squats. Students arrested in the aftermath of the tuition fees protests had their hearings moved forward and were charged and banned from the City of Westminster.
2. On March 26 over 140 UK Uncut protestors were arrested for occupying the Fortnum and Mason store on Regent St. Video evidence and eyewitness testimonies show an entirely peaceful occupation, yet all those arrested were detained and now face serious charges.
3. This follows routine use of violent tactics by police against the student protests, including routine use of kettling, batons and charges by mounted officers. On November 24 and December 9 thousands were kettled without food or water for hours into the winter night. Alfie Meadows needed emergency brain surgery after being hit with a baton. Tahmeena Bax was knocked unconscious and Jody McIntyre was twice dragged from his wheelchair by police.
4. Over 200 arrests have been made from the student protests in London alone. Some protestors face charges of violent disorder, an offence carrying an immediate custodial sentence of up to 5 years.
5. A Defend the Right to Protest campaign has been initiated by London Region UCU and supported by MPs, leading trade unionists and academics including Tony Benn, John McDonnell MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Mark Serwotka, Jeremy Dear, Billy Bragg, Slavoj Zizek, Naomi Klein, and David Harvey amongst others.
We believe
1. There is no place for crowd control and intimidation tactics by the police such as kettling, batoning, use of dogs, charges by mounted police, use of tasers, use of film interviews of unaccompanied minors and other techniques that threaten the right to protest and deter people from protesting.
2. This kind of policing effectively criminalises the act of protesting at the very time when the government’s cuts to public services are opposed by millions. Now more than ever our democratic right to protest must be defended.
3. It is vital for all those who value our right to protest to stand in solidarity with students and others who have been arrested or injured by police on these demonstrations – to come to their assistance and to join them when they march again.
We resolve
1. To defend all those protesters who have been arrested, bailed or charged and are fighting to clear their names – including Alfie Meadows, Bryan Simpson and the occupiers of Fortnum and Mason. To publicise and support meetings, protests and other forms of solidarity organised to show support for those arrested.
2. To condemn police brutality and the use of violence on demonstrations and to call for an end to ‘kettling’ and all other crowd control tactics that intimidate and threaten the right to protest. To condemn the use of pre-emptive arrests against activists as seen in the days leading up to the royal wedding.
3. To join the UCU and NUS in calling for a public enquiry and an investigation into the arrests and other brutalities on demonstrators, including an investigation into the police officers involved.
4. To affiliate to the Defend the Right to Protest campaign
5. To contribute £50/100/200 to the Defend the Right to Protest campaign
6. To sign up to and circulate as widely as possible the Defend the Right to Protest statement.
Motion 2) Opposition to fee rises at UEL
We note
1. The increase in tuition fees at UEL to £9k.
2. The restructuring of the school of humanities and social sciences at UEL was a top down process that had no input from students or lecturers.
3. The all but destruction of London Met University. Courses have been cut by 70 % which has lead to the effective closure of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Languages and Education
We believe
1. Education is a right and not a privilege and so are opposed to any increase in tuition fees
2. The increase in tuition fees at UEL and the majority of universities throughout the country to £9k, is part of a broader attack on education
3. The restructuring of HSS and the attack on London Met is an ideological attack by the coalition government on the education of working people in this country. That humanities subjects such as philosophy, politics, psychology should be accessible for all.
We resolve
1. To condemn the increase in tuition fees at UEL
2. To be opposed to the closure of the school of humanities and social science
3. To support opposition to the cuts at London met
4. To affiliate to the Education Activist Network and support the national campaign to oppose cuts in education
Motion 3) Question the lack of democracy at UEL
We note
1. The complete disregard for student democracy at UEL due to the overturning of an amendment voted for at the last AGM regarding the role of sabbatical officers
2. The lack of importance university management places on student participation. Reflected in minimal communication during the HSS restructuring process.
3. The opposition and concerns to the school change shown by both students and lecturers and the disgraceful handling of the process by university management
We believe
1. Senior management at the university must commit fully to widening both political and educational student participation
2. University management’s opposition to democracy at UEL is an attempt to run the university without student interference. We believe this is our university and so must be involved in all future matters concerning the running of UEL
We resolve
1. To support any resistance to the proposed school changes from both lecturers and students
2. To criticise management at the university for their disregard for student participation
3. To insist upon full communication from senior management in any future changes affecting our university
4. The main focus of the sabbatical position should be the roles agreed at the last AGM
