Our Union can be proud that we have a vibrant democratic structure built on its districts and branches.

Our activist base and the growing number of school reps is something to build on with confidence.

However there are a number of threats that we must deal with as strategic priorities:

• The atomisation of education through the academisation of four-fifths of secondary schools and two-fifths of primary schools has eroded our capacity to organise effectively on behalf of our members.
• The reduction in facility time for Union officers.
• The demands on Union officers caused by the increasing amount and complexity of casework risk burning out our core activists.
• The loss of the tradition of trade unionism among younger workers.

It should be central to the role of the GS to support districts and branches in overcoming these difficulties and renew the Union.

The job of rebuilding Union strength falls on democratically elected lay officers, reps and activists but they must be supported more effectively by Union employees.

Our Union, in every region and all nations, is full of talented people with good ideas.
As GS I’m pledging to work with those people to ensure the NEU can build on its successes in order to defend teachers, support staff and education.

I would value your support in this election.