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Why is it not possible for those who have attempted to scupper the NUS review of student financial support to recognise that real students are in favour of MICL. I am not a member of the Labour Party, I am a Liberal Democrat entirely opposed to the Labour Party, but I am in favour of MICL.

As NUS secretary for Exeter University guild of students I have coordinated the debate around the policy review. I drafted our original motion to conference calling for a review, and I drafted our amendment calling for MICL with benefits. I did this not to help Jim Murphy gain a seat from the Labour Party, but because it is my belief, and the belief of my student union, that this will help future students and society as a whole.

Events at Derby have not meant an end to the review. The ultra left, who could not care less about students only about power, have attempted to marginalise the NUS again. They cannot bear that the Government, press and bodies in post-16 education are listening to NUS. Despite the result, if you actually talk to students, the leaders of NUS are not out on a limb, but those in the Campaign for Free Education. It is they who should reconcile themselves to that.

ALASTAIR TAYLOR

Campaigns officer/NUS secretary

Students Guild

University of Exeter