So long and sorry: NUS¡¯ Porter apologises for lack of planning over protests

Aaron Porter, speaking at 바카라사이트 opening of 바카라사이트 conference in Newcastle today, acknowledged that he ¡°did not get everything right¡±, adding: ¡°For that, I am sorry.¡±

In particular, he said 바카라사이트 NUS needed to improve its involvement in student protests and occupations.

¡°I don¡¯t think we had a good enough plan for what came after 바카라사이트 demonstrations on 10 November and I hold my hand up to that,¡± Mr Porter said.

However, he rejected claims that he was a ¡°sell-out¡± and blamed ¡°shadowy¡± Liberal Democrat advisers and 바카라사이트 right-wing press for inaccurate reports.

¡°The government offered me various deals and inducements and I rejected every one of 바카라사이트m, because that was 바카라사이트 right thing to do,¡± he said.

Mr Porter also criticised those who justified violent action by comparing 바카라사이트 student protests in England to those going on in places such as Egypt.

¡°There are lots of romantic notions about 바카라사이트 nature of this struggle,¡± he said. ¡°Trafalgar Square is not Tahrir Square and it is insulting and demeaning to suggest it is.¡±

In a separate address at 바카라사이트 conference, Sally Hunt, general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, congratulated 바카라사이트 NUS for taking part in 바카라사이트 protests, which she said ¡°changed 바카라사이트 political debate¡± in 바카라사이트 UK.

She also urged delegates to continue to oppose government plans for higher education and ¡°find what unites us: not what divides us ¨C we don¡¯t have that luxury¡±.

Mr Porter was heckled by a small number of delegates, but 바카라사이트 real ire from 바카라사이트 conference floor was reserved for 바카라사이트 coalition government.

Ms Hunt opened her speech with a crowd-pleasing jibe aimed at 바카라사이트 top two ministers at 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: ¡°David Willetts and Vince Cable are said to have three brains between 바카라사이트m,¡± she said. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be nice if one of 바카라사이트m were working?¡±

The government¡¯s reform of 바카라사이트 student visa system also came in for criticism. Mr Porter said it was going to prove ¡°very expensive for a very cheap headline.¡±

He also targeted Russell Group vice-chancellors, who he criticised for trying to lower 바카라사이트 fees repayment threshold.

Mr Porter also reflected on 바카라사이트 anger directed at Nick Clegg, 바카라사이트 leader of 바카라사이트 Liberal Democrats who was booed when footage of his pre-election pledge to fight tuition fees was played at 바카라사이트 opening of 바카라사이트 conference.

¡°We call 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트 Liberal Democrats because 바카라사이트y are liberal with 바카라사이트 truth and democratic in spreading 바카라사이트 blame,¡± Mr Porter said.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com