NASUWT deputy general secretary Patrick Roach will step up to become the teaching union’s next leader after his sole challenger, Paul Nesbitt, failed to get enough nominations to stand against him in the forthcoming election.
Dr Roach had received the nomination of the union’s national executive as well as a total of 28 nominations from local associations, while Mr Nesbitt had only received 14 nominations from local associations, which did not meet the minimum threshold of 25.
“I am honoured to be chosen to be the next general secretary of the NASUWT,” Dr Roach said. “I can think of no greater opportunity than to have the fantastic job of being general secretary of the union that is dedicated to putting teachers first.
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“There is no job more important in our world today than teaching and I will be proud to lead the union that is the representative voice of teachers across the UK, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Gibraltar.
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“I am grateful to the national executive and local associations across the country for their endorsement and support.
“And I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to NASUWT members for the important work they do each and every day to make a world of difference to the lives of children and young people.”
The new general secretary will take over from Chris Keates in April.
In an email to national executive members last night, NASUWT president Dave Kitchen said: “Only Patrick Roach met the requirements of Rule 20(4)(f), which requires a prospective candidate to be nominated either by the national executive or by a minimum of 25 local associations or by both.
“I am, therefore, delighted to announce that Patrick Roach has been elected as the general secretary (designate) of the NASUWT. I am sure that you will wish to join me in congratulating him on this great achievement.”
Mr Nesbitt, a design technology teacher, said he had been asked to stand by several associations. He said: “I wanted to ensure that there was a clear and transparent process where all members could take part in a democratic vote to choose their next general secretary. I still believe that an election that includes all paying members is essential in moving NASUWT forward.”
