Wednesday 21-03-2018 - 09:35

Durham student Joe Dharampal-Hornby has recently been elected Chair of Labour Students, we chatted to Joe about campaigning and his hopes for the future.

 

You’ve been elected Chair of Labour Students, what does the role involve?

Labour Students is a campaigning organisation. It’s made up of Clubs in colleges and universities across the country, which run all sorts of activities, including speaker events, campaigning for the Labour Party, socials and campus campaigns. Alongside this, Labour Students runs Liberation campaigns, works in SUs and the NUS to further its progressive values in the student movement, and runs national events to allow members to learn, share best practice and meet like-minded people.

As Chair, it will be my job to set the direction of Labour Students and coordinate the everyday running of the organisation. I will represent the organisation to external stakeholders and lead engagement with other organisations. I will also be Chair of our National Committee and our National Conference, and it’s my job to make sure we contribute effectively to the Party’s efforts at elections.

 

How did you find the campaigning process?

The campaigning process was really interesting. I loved talking to Labour students from across the country about what they like, dislike, and would like to see from our organisation. Speaking to people with different perspectives – from colleges and universities, small and large clubs, in all regions and nations – was incredibly helpful in understanding how Labour Students can improve in the future.

At times, it was also a very draining process – whether it be travelling, speaking to students, manifesto drafting or speech writing. It was absolutely worthwhile, but I had to essentially pause my degree for a few weeks, which was frustrating, particularly in my final year!

 

What was the most challenging part of campaigning?

I couldn’t have wished for a nicer opponent – they ran an excellent campaign, with great ideas and free from personal attacks. However, I witnessed some unpleasant comments about me online during the campaign, which unfortunately we’ve come to expect in politics, particularly student politics. I hope to help tackle this atmosphere of personal attacks and nastiness during my time as Chair.

 

What do you hope to bring to the role?

A fresh perspective and informed leadership. I’m proud of what DULC’s achieved in the past three years. In particular, a group of us who were all freshers in 2015 – including Laura, Rhys, Dan, Saul, Matt and George – should all be proud of their hard work. Not to mention the efforts of other Exec members and ordinary DULC members – we’ve all helped improve DULC so much in such a short space of time. I hope to use this experience to help all Clubs, in particular smaller and non-London ones, grow in membership, host great events and run successful campaigns.

I also recognise that I’m not an expert on everything. I want to work with others, in particular Labour Students’ Liberation Officers and other groups such as the Jewish Labour Movement, to strengthen Liberation and make our Clubs and events safe and accessible for all members. I will also listen to all members in all Clubs on what they want to do on their campus, and do my very best to help.  

 

What things on the horizon for Labour Students are you excited about?

I think a lot of Clubs feel ignored at the moment. I’m excited to genuinely engage with every Club, no matter its size or location, to help them fulfil their true campaigning potential. Although no General Election is due to take place in my term, there will be local elections and probably by-elections. I’m excited to take our message of hope and optimism onto the doorstep and make Labour gains, which is particularly important given the fragility of the Tory Government at the moment.

I’m also determined to fight for students’ interests during Brexit, particularly around Erasmus and the rights of international students. I’m only 20, yet I’m confident that Brexit will be one of the most significant political events of my lifetime – we must do all we can to limit the potential economic and political fall-out.

Finally, I’m excited to help Clubs launch new campaigns on campus. Whether on the living wage, trade union membership, mental health provision or affordable accommodation, there’s so much to campaign on. We are the student body of the largest political party in Europe, this is our fight.     

 

Joe Dharampal-Hornby is Co-Chair of Durham University Labour Club and can be found on Twitter @Joe_DH.