I don't think anyone would defend the NUS of 1998 but let me tell you this the NUS of 2008 led by Wes Streeting and with a solid VPHE who will not pander there will be no climb down to placate the Government.

I fully expect a hard thought campaign that will deliver a better package for students.

Remember it was Mandy Telford, the last Labour Student National President who led the fight against top up fees when Wes was still a sabbatical. That vote could have brought down Tony Blair. It was just around the time of the Hutton Report and until the last minute it was looking close. NUS ran a tough campaign and although we lost the vote, a number of important concessions were won. That was a lifetime ago in student politics. Things have changed so so much and if anything I would expect a fiercer and smarter campaign now we have another Labour Students National President.

Do you understand the political reality of the UK right now? The public are not in the mood for a progressive taxation policy and large scale investment into Higher Educaton. We will be lucky to get much out of ANY Goverment over the next fews years.