Ismail sacrificed
Alex "Sacha" Ismail - infamous fees non-payer and member of the Campaign for Free Education (CfE)- has been forced to quit his position as co-chair of OUSU's Finance and Funding Committee after slapping the CfE's logo onto posters for OUSU's demonstration last Sunday. Ismail now claims there is "hostility from some members of the OUSU Exec towards the CfE", prompting fears that the anti-fees campaign could descend into conflict.
He added the logo despite express instructions from the OUSU President, Anneliese Dodds, that "the demonstration was to be exclusively OUSU's".
She feared that another group's logo would cause confusion. Ismail's fellow Finance and Funding co-chair, Kirsty McNeil, added that there was an "absence of accountability".
Ismail claims that he did not try to hi-jack the demo and OUSU now denies a split with the other anti-fees groups. Vice-President for Graduates, Jason Dorsett, claims that although they share the same principles, it would be unfair for OUSU to promote one anti-fees group to the exclusion of the others.
OUSU came under fire from police chiefs during their last march, after an independent group tried to storm the University offices: "If we're held accountable, it's important that we retain control over the march."
Despite Ismail's admission, uncertainty still surrounds the inclusion of the logo.
He claims that his fellow co-chair was right to "assume" he had been given permission to add it.
While she claims that Ismail specifically told her that "all the clearance was done." Although they worked closely together, she denies any knowledge of or involvement in her co-chair's actions. McNeil is also an active member of the Campaign for Free Education.
Both McNeil and the OUSU President share the view that one minor mistake "in effect" should not cast a shadow on Ismail's future career. However, political high-flyer Kirsty, claims that "the mindset that led to the mistake was problematic. It could have been worse on another occasion."
The anti-fees campaigner has faced trouble before in his capacity as chair of the Anti-Racism Committee. He was involved in the invitation of British National Party leader John Tyndall to the Union. Following political clashes, the visit was cancelled.
His decision to take responsibility has been widely applauded.
Josh Bell - former OUSU President and active member of the CfE - believes it was his only option, while others have praised his political honour and integrity.
Ismail promised to support his former Finance and Funding colleague in any future political campaigns.
OUCA's President Toby Boutle commented on the relevance of the affair to student politics: "Oxford is characterised by apathy and cynicism. Alex may have been silly and naive, but it is rather refreshing."
7th Oct 1999