A referendum is a ballot in which all SU members are entitled to cast a vote. Make sure you have your say - cast your vote below!

Referenda 2026: Your SU, Your Say

On Friday 6th February (8am-8pm), you'll vote on five student-initiated proposals that will shape LSESU's priorities and operations.

What's on the ballot?

Departmental Formal Dinners

Question:
Should LSESU lobby departments to host formal dinners and events to strengthen student community, encourage academic discussion, and enhance LSE's reputation?

What this means:
LSESU would formally ask LSE academic departments to organize regular formal dinners (similar to collegiate universities). This could include end-of-year celebrations, networking events with academics, and discipline-specific social gatherings.

If it passes:
LSESU will add this to our policy platform and dedicate staff time to lobbying LSE central and individual departments.

If it fails:
LSESU won't pursue this as an organizational priority.

Internal Operations Reform

Question:
Should LSESU reform its internal operations to improve efficiency, transparency, communication, and student engagement?

What this means:
A comprehensive review of how LSESU functions internally - from how decisions get made to how we communicate with you to how accessible our services are.

If it passes:
Trustees will commission an operational review with student input, likely resulting in structural and procedural changes over the next year.

If it fails:
We'll continue with current operating procedures.

NUS Disaffiliation

Question:
Should LSESU disaffiliate from the National Union of Students UK(NUS UK)?

What this means:
Ending our membership in the UK's national student organisation. NUS UK provides training, resources, national campaigning, and bulk-buying discounts. We currently pay thousands of pounds each year for membership.

What this means:
LSESU affiliated with NUS UK in a 2015 referendum. Students' unions including Cambridge and Imperial have disaffiliated in recent years. It's standard practice in the sector to hold regular affiliation referenda.

If it passes:
LSESU will end NUS UK membership, losing access to their services but saving membership fees.

If it fails:
We remain NUS members.

Renew Divestment Policy

Question:
Should LSESU continue to seek dialogue with LSE senior leadership to press for full and meaningful divestment from fossil fuels and weapons, including indirect investments?

What this means:
Reinstating our previous policy (expired in 2024) that committed LSESU to:

  • Lobbying LSE to divest from fossil fuels
  • Lobbying LSE to divest from companies linked to arms and weapons

What this means:
LSESU previously held this policy but it lapsed. LSE has made some divestment commitments but students argue they don't go far enough.

If it passes:
This becomes active LSESU policy again, directing sabbatical officers and staff to campaign for divestment.

If it fails:
LSESU has no formal position on these issues.

NSS Boycott

Question:
Should LSESU support a student‑led boycott of the National Student Survey (NSS) as a method of applying pressure for ethical investment and improved institutional accountability?

What this means:
LSESU would support a student-led boycott of the NSS and utilise the boycott to push for ethical investment at LSE.

If it passes:
LSESU support students in leading a NSS boycott.

If it fails:
LSESU won't pursue this as an organisational priority.

Timeline

  • Campaigning begins - students can actively campaign for YES/NO

  • Voting opens

  • Voting closes

  • Complaints deadline

  • Results announced (pending no complaints)

How to vote

Voting opens Friday 6th February at 8am. You'll receive an email with a direct link to the voting portal. You can vote from any device - phone, laptop, tablet.

You'll need your LSE email address to verify your identity. Voting closes at 8pm sharp.

Winter Term 2026 Referenda

Voting will appear here at 8am on 6th February. Voting will be open 8am-8pm.

Should LSESU lobby departments to host formal dinners and events to strengthen student community, encourage academic discussion, and enhance LSE’s reputation?

This motion was proposed by a student and taken to Autumn Term Student Panel. It did not receive enough votes in favour to outright pass as a policy, so will be taken to an all student referendum.

The motion aims to make it a priority for LSESU to encourage the school to introduce departmental formal dinners.

Should LSESU reform its internal operations to improve efficiency, transparency, communication, and student engagement?

This motion was proposed by a student and taken to Autumn Term Student Panel. It did not receive enough votes in favour to outright pass as a policy, so will be taken to an all student referendum.

The aim of this motion is to make LSESU look internally at how it operates and reform internal operations to remove bureaucracy.

Should LSESU disaffiliate from the National Union of Students (NUS UK)?

This motion has been put forward to referenda because of a petition that gained over 100 signatures.

This motion would allow LSESU to understand the student sentiment of its affiliation with NUS UK and would help us determine whether to remain affiliated or to disafilliate. 

Should LSESU continue to seek dialogue with LSE senior leadership to press for full and meaningful divestment from fossil fuels and weapons, including indirect investments?

This motion has been put forward to referenda because of a petition that gained over 100 signatures. 

This motion aims to renew the previous Divestment policy which expired in Summer Term 2025. LSESU would advocate for LSE's divestment from arms and fossil fuels.

Should LSESU support a student-led boycott of the National Student Survey (NSS) as a method of applying pressure for ethical investment and improved institutional accountability?

This motion is going to an all student referendum due to a petition receiving over 100 signatures.

This motion would encourage LSESU to support a student-led boycott of the National Student Survey (NSS) to apply pressure to the School for ethical investment.

FAQs

Do I have to vote on all five referenda?

No – you can skip any you're unsure about. Every referendum is independent.

What's the threshold for passing?

A: Simple majority (50%+1) of votes cast. The quoracy for these referenda are 5% of the student population.

Can I change my vote?

No – once you submit, your vote is final.

Is LSESU taking a position on any of these?

No. We're neutral on all five questions. Our role is to run a fair process and provide information, not advocate for outcomes. If no student or body comes forward to run the 'Against' Campaign, the Students' Union is obliged to run that campaign and will provide a balanced argument for students to research and make an informed decision on.

Why such a short voting window?

This follows our standard referendum procedures to ensure a concentrated voting period that maximises engagement. We know it's tight – that's why we're giving you all this advance notice.

What if I think campaigning has broken rules?

Submit a complaint via the form at the bottom of this page, by midnight on 5th February. Our Deputy Returning Officer and/or Returning Officer will investigate.

Where can I see campaign materials?

All registered campaigns will be listed on this page once campaigning begins on 6th Feb.

Rules and Complaints

In order to ensure our referenda are free and fair, all campaigners must follow the Referenda Rules.

To report any breach of the rulebook, please fill out our Referenda Complaints Form.

Any questions

Drop us an email at su.representation@lse.ac.uk.

Site design by Elliot Parker.