Split Shock?
The men in Whitehall must be really scared.
Once again, they are able to see students putting aside petty political differences in order to work together against a massive threat to funding.
Or maybe not.
From an outside perspective, the setting up of 'Free Education Direct Action' is simply another example of personal squabbles combining to undermine Oxford's student movement as a whole.
But this is not simply a split in terms of personalities, but also policy.
The OxStu is in favour of direct action against the introduction of top-up fees.
There are serious questions over the extent to which OUSU's Finance and Funding Campaign is truly in favour of such action, despite official policy explicitly supporting such methods.
This is not just reflective of the individuals involved, but of the fact that any campaign claiming to represent the entire student body must take more moderate views into consideration.
Finance and Funding campaign is just doing its job.
In an ideal world, 'Free Education Direct Action' should be able to do a different job.
But history, and OUSU politics suggest otherwise.
23rd Jan 2003