AGM 2025: Results of Ballots on Motions
Wednesday 18-06-2025 - 14:32
Following careful scrutiny of the attendance and voting data, we can publish the following results and associated statistics.
Attendance
A total of 531 students joined the Annual General Meeting. 204 were present in Faraday Lecture Theatre, 319 joined the Teams call, and 8 were represented by proxies.
We would like to thank everyone for attending the meeting and engaging so thoroughly in the Students’ Union’s democratic activity.
Reflections on conduct in the meeting and online
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Max for Chairing the meeting. They handled a complex and lengthy meeting, full of emotive and contested debate, with skill and maturity.
During the meeting, and during the heated debate that ensued, we observed a range of actions and behaviours that we wanted to address:
Use of derogatory or offensive language
During debate, several offensive terms were used and repeated by speakers. We understand that some of the language used in the meeting may have made many attendees deeply uncomfortable.
In our preparation for the meeting, we were conscious of our legal duty to protect lawful free speech. Moving forward, we will continue to hone our approach to ensure that debate can remain free but inclusive of all.
We would welcome any suggestions from Students’ Union members of how they would like the Students’ Union to handle the use of derogatory or offensive language during debate. Email your ideas to su.governance@lancaster.ac.uk.
Behaviour in the chat
As a hybrid event the meeting took place on-campus and online via Microsoft Teams. In our preparation for the meeting, we used Teams to carefully manage access to the meeting, audio and access to mics, and the ability for online attendees to access voting links. We made the decision to keep the chat function open to allow us to share voting links, those without mic access to pose questions, and attendees to share their thoughts on the content of the debate whilst joining individually.
During the meeting, we are disappointed by the conduct of members in the meeting chat. We felt that, at times, the things posted in the chat became unacceptable in tone and content.
We would welcome any suggestions from Students’ Union members of how they would like the Students’ Union to handle bullying and unacceptable conduct in online chat spaces. Email your ideas to su.governance@lancaster.ac.uk.
Recording of speakers
In Faraday LT, where the meeting was taking place, it was noted that some attendees were recording speakers on their phones.
In any public forum such as the AGM, speakers are responsible and accountable for what they say. Nevertheless, it is understandable that attendees felt uncomfortable, especially where consent hasn’t been sought prior to filming.
We would welcome any suggestions from Students’ Union members of how they would like the Students’ Union to handle filming during debates. Email your ideas to su.governance@lancaster.ac.uk.
Personal attacks
Throughout the debate on Motion 1 and Amendment 1, the Chair was required to ask speakers to avoid personal attacks and focus on the motion (or amendment) as presented.
We understand that Motion 1 directly referenced the conduct of a group of students. Nevertheless, we felt at times the debate moved too far away from the resolutions of the motion.
We would welcome any suggestions from Students’ Union members of how they would like the Students’ Union to best support the Chair during heated debates. Email your ideas to su.governance@lancaster.ac.uk.
Motion 1
Vote on Amendment 1, Motion 1
A total of 368 valid ballots were cast for Amendment 1 on Motion 1.
20 in-valid ballots were cast by members who either did not attend the AGM or did not register their attendance. 3 ballots were manually added or amended as requested by attendees.
The result is as follows:
|
FOR |
35 |
10% |
|
AGAINST |
329 |
89% |
|
ABSTAIN |
4 |
1% |
As announced during the meeting, this result meant that the amendment failed, and the motion was not thrown out. The debate then continued onto Motion 1.
Vote on Motion 1
A total of 356 valid ballots were cast for Motion 1.
20 in-valid ballots were cast by members who either did not attend the AGM or did not register their attendance.
The result is as follows:
|
FOR |
315 |
88% |
|
AGAINST |
36 |
10% |
|
ABSTAIN |
5 |
1% |
As a quorate and validated vote at the Annual General Meeting, this result will now be taken to the Trustee Board for ratification before it becomes official Students’ Union policy.
Motion 2
Vote on Motion 2
A total of 349 valid ballots were cast for Motion 2.
6 in-valid ballots were cast by members who either did not attend the AGM or did not register their attendance.
The result is as follows:
|
FOR |
312 |
95% |
|
AGAINST |
7 |
2% |
|
ABSTAIN |
10 |
3% |
As a quorate and validated vote at the Annual General Meeting, this result will now be taken to the Trustee Board for ratification before it becomes official Students’ Union policy.
Motion 3
Vote on Motion 3
A total of 315 valid ballots were cast for Motion 3.
3 in-valid ballots were cast by members who either did not attend the AGM or did not register their attendance.
The result is as follows:
|
FOR |
135 |
43% |
|
AGAINST |
136 |
43% |
|
ABSTAIN |
44 |
14% |
Though the number of voters falls below the quoracy rate, the meeting at this point (5:50pm) was quorate. This means that the result is valid and binding.
The motion fails as a majority voted against. Given the extremely close result, the motion will be considered by the Full-Time Officer group at the first available opportunity.
Motion 4
At this point, the meeting was no longer quorate and therefore unable to vote on Motion 4. Nevertheless, the motion was presented and discussed vigorously by those still in attendance.
If you have any questions about these results, the processes used to verify them, or the Annual General Meeting as a whole, please contact: su.governance@lancaster.ac.uk
