Student Broad Left
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Student Broad Left (SBL) is a factional grouping operating within the National Union of Students of the United Kingdom.
The group was formed in 1997 as a split from the now disbanded Alliance for Workers Liberty backed Campaign for Free Education, and Labour students (NOLS) clubs (in Sheffield and Goldsmiths Colledge). Broad Left first contested NUS elections in 1998. It distinguishes itself from that group by supporting campaigns for Palestinian, human rights Irish Self determination and loudly opposing the US blockade of Cuba. Like other left groups within the NUS, the group calls for free education funded by the redistribution of wealth and for greater democracy in the NUS.
Many of the founders of the group, including all of its elected members, have been closely linked to Socialist Action, and the group supports the same campaigns as Socialist Action, for example the Student Assembly Against Racism unite against fascism and Student CND.
In most years, Student Broad Left forms a slate with the Campaign for Free Education and Socialist Worker Student Society, to increase the number of socialist candidates elected. This has assisted the group in ensuring it has almost always had a least one member elected to the NUS Executive. In the 2004 NUS elections the CFE and SWSS split and stood against each other. Student Broad Left negotiated a slate with the CFE for some places, but in the proportional representation "Block of 12" election they supported transfers to SWSS over CFE. Broad Left candidate Peter Leary polled 2nd in the block of 12 in 2004 and 2005 coming behind only Labour students.
The group should not be confused with the principally Communist and Liberal grouping known as Broad Left who held the NUS presidency between 1973 and 1984.