Morale in the college bars is at an all time low with the news that all nine college bars have been taken into University Management’s hands.  Despite a high profile joint campaign run between Labour Club, LUSU and the JCRs Uni bosses took over the remaining autonomous bars in a cowardly move over Easter.
All bars are now run by the University’s Commercial Services rather than individual college licencees as used to be the case.  And the special drinks offers in place last term are conspiculously absent.  Could it be they were a ruse all along, to lure students into a false sense of security?
The creation of a “working group” on the future of the colleges was seen by some as a success, however, as Labour Club feared it was little more than a way of placating students whilst they hatched their plans for a final take over.
Although we seem to have lost, it is important to remember it is but one battle in a much bigger war.  More attacks on the autonomy of the colleges are a distinct possibility in the near future.  It is therefore imperative we stay vigilant and are prepared to keep fighting for our colleges.

Labour Club have a proud tradition of making Conservative Future look ridiculous: last year we won our annual football match with an embarrasing score of 12-0, and last term we beat them at LazerQuest dispite being outnumbered two-to-one!
Last year, with the debating society, we held a formal debate with them on the motion, “this house has no confidence in the government,” happily, we won this too.
With the Tories ahead in the polls nationally, Labour Club weren’t feeling particularly confident about a rematch, nevertheless, we never reject a challenge.
The motion to be debated was, “this house would vote Conservative.”  The Tories, just like their grown up colleagues, focused on attacking Labour for our supposed failings, rather than outlining meaningful policy of their own.  Labour’s counterattack was headed by Dan Hogan and Paul Lynch, arguing for Labour’s policy successes over the last 12 years whilst outlining the case for Labour being much more qualified than the Tories to lead us throught the recession without endangering jobs, public services and the lives of ordinary people.
When it came to the vote, the motion was overwhelmingly rejected, which just goes to show how Labour still has the upper hand when it comes to intelligent, policy based, debate.

Tensions between academic staff and University bosses are escalating with the setting up of a redundancy commitee and it’s implication that staff reductions are “desirable.”  Academics at University Senate voted against setting up any such committee yet, in a characteristic move, bosses established the committee, regardless of protestations, at University Council.
Bosses maintain that their is no immediate danger of redundancies, yet such opinions are difficuilt to reconcile with their actions.
Academics’ Union the UCU is naturally concerned about developments and their are whisperings of industrial action over University bosses’ behaviour.
The action undertaken by University Management is, like the fiasco of the centralisation of the College Bars, an example of bosses carrying on with their own agenda, regardless of the opinions of those on whom the success of the institution depends, be they staff or students.
Labour Club believes that, although potenential industrial action would be an inconvenience to students in the short term, the defence of jobs is essential for the maintenance of the University’s academic reputation and stands in solidarity with our academic comrades.

Labour Club’s  “Save the College Bars” campaign was officially re-launched last Thursday with a roaming picket on campus.The latest phase of the long running battle for the bars was triggered by the assimilation of four college bars into the University’s Commercial Services and the imposition of an extortionate new pricing structure on the other bars. Although there have been attempts to negotiate with University bosses, they have refused to listen, which is why Labour Club, along with LUSU and the JCRs have decided the time has come for action!

The protest started with a picket of the Venue (run by commercial services.) Before moving on to Fylde Coffee Shop, University House, Alexandra Square and the Conference Centre.At its peek the protest  picked up around 50 students all merrily joining in with such chants as “If you want your college bar back clap your hands” and “What do we want?  College control!  When do we want it?  Now!”

The purpose of the demonstration was to raise awareness, which it undoubtedly did. Everyone who was on campus that day, must now know what’s happening to the bars, and how we’re not going to stand for it.Labour Club believe the bars are the spiritual and social hearts of the college system, not just profit making enterprises like University management seem to think.”

University bosses have responded with a cynical temporary price cut intended to undermine the campaign, but anyone can see that the offers only extent to 31st January, then the prices will be right back up again.

 by Fraser Welsh, Publicity Officer

The threat of the BNP is often underestimated. However, there are BNP councillors in London, Stoke came close to having a fascist mayor, Nick Griffin is standing in the EU elections for the North West and Nazi graffiti is being written in college bar toilets. Clearly, they are a very real danger.  They are racist, have attacked students, trade unions, LGBT,  disabled people, the NHS and much more. We need to stand up and show they’re not welcome in Britain. We need to challenge the bile they spout, and to stop their leader from being elected as our representative in Europe.

Every year they hold their “annual conference” in Blackpool and every year Labour Club trek out there to shout at a few fascists. Up early on November 15th, we got the bus to the “sunny” seaside town. After meeting up with all the other groups outside the Winter Gardens we marched through the town to their hotel, chanting all the way to raise the spirits of the activists and to raise awareness to the residents of Blackpool what their hometown was being host to. After several hours, of chanting and rousing speeches, including one from Labour’s own Clive Grunshaw, we all decided it was high time for some chips and a late bus back to Lancaster for some celebratory drinks in Furness Bar. All in all, a good day was had by all, except the fascists of course!

by Kate Fry, Chair

In first term a select nine Labour Club members ventured into the deepest darkest depths of Morecambe to the MegaZone LaserQuest on the seafront! Once there, they met futile opposition, in the form of 18 members of Conservative Future. Despite the dirty tactics employed by the Tories and being outnumbered two to one Labour Club quite rightly prevailed. In both games Labour Club got in excess of 90,000 points whereas the 2 teams of Tories only managed a poor 40,000 each, making this the third year running in which Labour Club has won the annual battle!

The reason for this victory was undoubtedly our superior tactics and fitness, something that has become the norm especially after our 12-0 thrashing of CF in last year’s football match. I’m sure this is the sign of great things with regards to Labour Club’s continued dominance in competition between us and the Tories. Every effort is already being made to ensure the score of the football match this year is even more embarrassing than the score last year with a heavy training regime. Here’s to future success in everything we do!

by Pere Macmillan, Vice Chair