The University of Ulster Students' Union is calling on all its students to vote in the General Elections this Thursday. Student votes could be crucial in determining the outcome of local and Westminster elections in the students' home constituencies. Students are being asked to vote for politicians who will work to eradicate student poverty. Students must vote to ensure election candidates fully understand the reality of student poverty.
Students can make the difference, as the collective voice of students is extremely powerful.
In some areas students make up a sizeable proportion of the electorate and MLAs can be voted in or out on the strength of the student vote. Students should vote for politicians that propose to abolish tuition fees and introduce maintenance grants. Many Northern Ireland parties have made manifesto commitments to abolish tuition fees and provide additional maintenance support. However in the last election the Labour Party promised not to introduce tuition fees, yet within 12 weeks of the new Parliament, tuition fees were introduced. The Students' Union will continue its fight for free education and hold successful candidates to their promises.