Hull University Labour Club

Hull University Labour Club (HULC) is a society of Hull University Union for the Labour Party supporting students at Hull University. It is affiliated to Labour Students and the Labour Party.

It is an active club and campaigned during the general election of 2005 for all three of Hull's Labour MPs; John Prescott, Alan Johnson and Diana Johnson. In November 2005, members of HULC attended a Unite Against Fascism (UAF) rally in Leeds for Nick Griffin's, the leader of the extreme right British National Party (BNP), pre-trial hearing for inciting racial hatred. It also organises guest speakers to come and speak to the club and universtity such as Tony Robinson and, more recently, Stephen Twigg.

History

The club was established in the 1930s around 10 years after The University of Hull was awarded its charter. Despite working in opposition to the North Hull Young Socialists in the late 1960s, who had been taken over by the International Marxist Group later to be known as the Militant Tendency the club took a swing to the left in the late 1980s and early 1990s under the tenure of Daren Hale now Deputy Leader of the Labour group in Hull City Council. During this time the club took part in numerous, now famous marches and was alleged to have been involved in the burning of the South African Embassy during the 1989 march against student loans. During this period the club supported the Broad Left faction within the NUS.

Since then HULC has moved closer to the right and become far more centrist and now supports the National Organisation of Labour Students. Indeed by the Mid to late 1990s it was seen by many to be closely aligned to New Labour, to some members regret.

More recently it has gained the patronage of John Prescott MP, Alan Johnson MP, Diana Johnson MP and, Ken Branson (Former Leader of Hull City Council).

In 2006 HULC once again established its position as the largest political group at Hull University and is one of the University's largest societies.

Alumni

Roy Hattersley Deputy Leader of the Labour Party 1983-1992

John Prescott Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Hull East.

Tom Watson Government Whip and Member of Parliament for West Bromwich East

Louise Ellman Member of Parliament for Liverpool Riverside

External links

HULC website [http://www.hulc.org/]

HULC MySpace [http://www.myspace.com/hullunilabourclub]