Slowly does it

Confirmation that the election for the coveted post of general secretary of the University and College Union will not be held until February has been met with heavy hearts by some union officials. Apparently, until the new boss is in place, it is proving difficult to get anything done while keeping the diverse interests in the merged union happy. The supreme policymaking body, the transitional arrangements committee, has more than 20 members. "But that's nothing", said a top official. "There's a committee of more than 40 people looking after higher education". Some meetings have reportedly taken up to nine hours. Democracy at its best.