Let Keir Starmer MP know what's happening in his constituency

Use the SOAS postcode, not your own: WC1H 0XG (unless you live in his constituency)

As many of you know, SOAS is undergoing yet another major restructuring. This restructure will change the face of SOAS: it will throw away what is unique about our institution, hundreds of workers will lose their jobs and the student experience will deteriorate.

Over the coming weeks many staff members will find out if they will be made redundant. Time is of the essence and we need your help!

It is vital that SOAS’ local MP, Keir Starmer, is made aware of the changes and job losses in his constituency, and what's more, as Labour Party leader, he must take a stance and stand in solidarity with us.

We are asking that he:

vocally and publicly support saving SOAS University of London
actively advocate for and recognise the importance of specialist programmes at SOAS
work to end the failed free market experiment in higher education
ask other MPs to support our Early Day Motion #743 ‘Funding for Universities’

Use the SOAS postcode, not your own: WC1H 0XG (unless you live in his constituency)

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Dear Keir Starmer MP,
In a recent report, the IFS highlighted thirteen <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53280965">universities which face bankruptcy</a> without government funding. This is not a surprise: the pandemic has merely highlighted the insecurity caused by a lack of government support and the impacts of the marketisation of education.
Not included on the list is SOAS Univeristy of London, which as you know, is in your constituency. However, SOAS will be one of the worst hit institutions, due to long term financial difficulty, worsened by the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, all of which has meant SOAS is currently undertaking a major restructuring.
SOAS is incredibly valuable. We have been a unique part of the University of London for over 100 years – yet the subjects we research and teach have never been so important: championing social justice, equality and civil rights; and promoting progressive, critical scholarship about Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Some outcomes of the planned restructure are:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">up to 150 expected redundancies. This does not include those whose contracts have terminated already</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">remaining staff will be left with unmanageable workloads, which will have a detrimental effect on mental health and the student experience</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">specialist programmes and modules, which add value to society, have been and will continue to be cut.</li>
</ul>
Though these are specific to SOAS, staff and students at many institutions across the sector are facing similar cuts, which are direct consequences of the wider marketisation of education. As the leader of the Labour Party, and our local constituency MP I ask you to stand on the side of students, staff and the local community to fight against this.
I am asking you to:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">vocally and publicly support saving SOAS University of London</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">actively advocate for and recognise the importance of specialist programmes at SOAS</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">work to end the failed free market experiment in higher education</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">ask other MPs to support our <a href="https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/57284/funding-for-universities">Early Day Motion #743 ‘Funding for Universities’</a>.</li>
</ul>
I look forward to hearing from you about the specific actions you, as our constituency MP, will take to tackle the financial crisis at SOAS.

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