We are incredibly disappointed by the results of yesterday’s referendum, which will see Britain leave the European Union, particularly given the high proportion of young voters who are reported to have voted to stay in the EU. This is not the result that many of our members – and, indeed, prospective members currently too young to vote – will have hoped for.
The Guild of Students Officer Team was proud to support a vibrant and committed campaign to remain in the EU and we thank students for their time and effort in engaging their communities throughout this referendum debate. Working together with other people for a shared, better world is central to the vision of the student movement – and we can be proud that we put these values into action in recent weeks.
This result raises many critical and troubling questions for our members, our universities and our futures. More than ever, we ask that the voice of young people continues to be heard as we move forward. Older generations have made this referendum decision for us – we hope that they will not dominate the decisions to come, with disregard for their impact on our lives for decades to come.
Jack Mably, Guild President, says: “Today is a dark day – but if there is any positive I can draw it is that for the first time I saw our generation come out in full force. We weren’t apathetic - we were the ones standing on street corners, heading to phone banks and using social media to spread the message far and wide: that Britain was stronger, safer and better off in Europe. We will be the first generation in history to be worse off than those before it, but I can only hope that we harness the energy that we brought to this referendum and use it to shape a future country that is more hopeful, harmonious and united than any we have seen before."
The Guild is also proud to be a union representing diverse cultures, nationalities and religions. We believe that our country should also be proud of its diversity. We reject the damaging rhetoric of hatred and intolerance that has been employed throughout this referendum, often directed at the weakest in our communities, and we hope that the EU’s legacy of peace and cooperation can be preserved in our society as we move forward.
Yesterday’s result raises many practical questions, both for EU students undertaking courses in the UK and UK students studying within the EU. Our universities also receive substantial funding through EU institutions, which will now be at risk. We will be working with the National Union of Students and other students’ unions across the country to ensure the student voice is heard during any consultation on these issues.
Guild of Students Full Time Officer Team 2015/16.
If you've got concerns or questions about what the result of the referendum could mean for you as a student, the University of Birmingham have put together some Frequently Asked Questions here.