Vanunu versus Soap Star

Jonny Garner

Whilst the newly elected rector of Glasgow University remains under house arrest by the Israeli authorities, Jonny Garner reports from inside the labour Student rectorial campaign.

AS A STRATHClYDE UNIVERSITY MEMBER OF lABOUR STUDENTS, it was requested of me that I take part in campaigning for the rectorial elections at Glasgow University last autumn. The candidates were as follows: a Glasgow University student; television personality and former Scotland rugby player, John Beattie; actress Jenni Keenan Green, otherwise known as Heather from River City; and the imprisoned nuclear scientist, Mordechei Vanunu.

A mixed bag if ever I saw one, but imagine my surprise to discover that instead of supporting Vanunu, a man who even ten years ago, myself and likeminded individuals would have gladly given their backing without two seconds of thought, the endorsement of labour students'was unanimously given to the esteemed dramatic prodigy from BBC Scotland's flagship soap opera!

On arrival, I was presented with a "Vote for Jenni" t-shirt, which I duly put on. I hope you will understand that as I was not a student at this particular institution, the individual who occupies the role of rector means little to me. However as the evening of the debate developed, something at the back of my mind began to tweak at my conscience. I am not in the habit of hearing voices in my head but I did feel as though something was reminding me that Vanunu had spent 18 years under Israeli lock and key for standing up for peace, truth and justice -three of the fundamental aspects which influenced my decision to join the labour Party. The volume of this was certainly increased when I saw the proposed banners of the Jenni campaign (which in fairness were never displayed), reading "Vote for Jenni, she's not under house arrest".

At this point, I promptly removed my t-shirt. I refused to allow myself to be associated with this snub to a man who, in a world in which the word "hero" is used all too frequently, is certainly someone to who this type of word could be attributed to without hyperbole.

After the debate I was reminded of the fact that as a person who is currently under house arrest, he could do nothing for Glasgow University students. I understand and respect this assertion, and wholeheartedly believe that this was made in the best of faith by good people, but on reflection of a conversation I had recently with my uncle, I decided that it was ultimately a false argument.As my uncle recalled his brief venture into the world of academia, he recalled Strathclyde Student's union's old "Nelson Mandela Bar."

It made me think, if his generation of students could think of the bigger picture and consider those fighting for the forces of goodness, that we all hold so dear, why can't mine? If his generation could stand shoulder to shoulder with men like Nelson Mandela, men and women who day in day out, make the kind of sacrifices for liberty and truth that in all honesty, I can't even contemplate, why shouldn't mine?

To me, this kind of international collectivism between likeminded people is what socialism, the ideal that our Party, whether certain elements of the modern labour movement want to admit it or not, is inextricably bound to, is all about.

Jonny Garner is a member of Glasgow Central CLP and Strathclyde University Labour Club