Motions based by the UCU St Andrews Branch

Branch motions- 2026 AGM

Distancing UCU St Andrews from Stand Up to Racism

Proposed by: Anna Smith

Seconded by: Marta Duran Arranz [updated 15.06.26]

This branch notes:

  • UCU’s commitment to campaigning against gender-based violence and racism in the workplace and in wider society, and on taking an intersectional approach to these issues,. 

  • UCU’s affiliation with Stand Up to Racism (SUTR), support of SUTR-organised events, and requests for branches to promote those events.

  • The close ties between SUTR and the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) at an organisational level.

  • The historical allegations of rape and sexual misconduct within the SWP, which surfaced in 2013, and the inadequate response to those allegations.

  • SWP’s 2024 apology for the way the 2013 allegations were handled, and recent changes to their central committee and dispute process.

  • Reports that the apology, changes to the central committee and dispute process have not yet led to meaningful organisational changes,. 

This branch believes:

  • The Trade Union movement must be intersectional in its approach to activism.

  • UCU should not affiliate with organisations that have historically protected perpetrators of gender-based violence until such a time as those organisations have demonstrated meaningful changes to create an environment where gender-based violence is not tolerated.

  • UCU has a commitment to oppose racism and the far right. 

This branch resolves to:

  • Distance itself from SUTR by no longer sharing SUTR-run events circulated by UCU.

  • Call on UCU National to disaffiliate from SUTR until such a time as SUTR is organisationally independent from SWP, or until the SWP can demonstrate that adequate practices are in place to prevent gender-based violence.

  • Continue to promote and support anti-racist and anti-fascist activism through promotion of events and organisations such as (but not limited to) the Scottish Trades Union Congress’ Black Workers Committee, Hope Not Hate, and Forgan Arts Centre’s Solidarity Library.

 UCU St Andrews Motion on humanitarian aid to Palestine

The branch notes [1]:

1.     the motion on Palestine passed on 6 December 2023;  

2.      the involvement of members of the branch in humanitarian international solidarity efforts. In May 2026, Dr. Antonis Vradis, a valued member of the University community and a Senate Assessor at the Court, participated in a humanitarian mission as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza, a territory of the State of Palestine.  The Flotilla participants were intercepted and kidnapped illegally by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) under orders by the Israeli authorities and allegedly subjected to abuse and humiliation.  

Since Dr. Vradis’ return, the Israeli embassy in London has labelled Flotilla participants as ‘Hamas-affiliated’; misrepresenting the humanitarian effort by Dr Vradis and putting him in harm’s way as per the UK's Terrorism Act 2000; 

3. the events presented above have attracted national political attention due to the severe allegations against human rights and international law they pose – including an Early Day Motion at the UK Parliament (175: tabled on 20 May 2026) and coverage by national and local media (BBC, 18 and 22 May 2026; The Courier, 4 June 2026; etc.);  

4. as of today (12th of June 2026), the University of St Andrews has not issued a public statement condemning the events described above.  

The branch believes:

1. that humanitarian interventions are an effective expression of international solidarity and an expression of the core beliefs of the trade union movement;

2. in its commitment to the values in the motion on Palestine passed on 6 December 2023, including the branch’s solidarity with Palestinians, its commitment to anti-racism in all its forms, and its revindication of free speech to voice solidarity and contextualise the unfolding violence; 

3. that the university’s lack of response draws a significant concern about the lack of engagement or response by the University administration regarding this development and the potential risks to Dr. Vradis’ reputation and job security. 

The Branch resolves to:

1.      Reiterate our unwavering solidarity with Dr. Vradis, affirm our commitment to the importance of humanitarian work, academic freedom, international solidarity,

2.      Call upon the University to:

I. Publicly acknowledge and condemn any attacks or threats against individuals of its community involved in humanitarian missions, including the one undertaken by Dr. Vradis.

II. Engage with the University community regarding the escalation of these events and the support structures available to affected members.

III. Provide an answer to the calls of the community to “fully divest from all companies that are complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and in Israeli settler colonialism, apartheid and military occupation more generally.”

IV. Reconsider its position on severing links with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ) and other Israeli universities, under the light of these recent events.

Proposer Marta Duran Arranz

Seconder Mathilde Lyons

[1] Links correct at time of motion being proposed (12 June 2026), they are provided for information only. 

Proposer Marta Duran Arranz

Seconder Mathilde Lyons