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Perhaps I should declare my interest for the post of AUT general secretary after all. The first job would be to crack a few AUT executive and Natfhe heads together. How parochial that some union leaders should perceive the representation of administrative and academic members in higher and further education as a bar to merger ("AUT chiefs pipe up for merger", THES , August 17).

There are far more important issues facing both educational sectors to allow egos (aka elitism) to get in the way. Other unions, such as Unison, admirably manage a far more diverse parish in a much broader church. AUT and Natfhe leaders who feel unable to do so should resign. Their blinkered attitude to opportunity would make them suitable candidates as future vice-chancellors. On appointment, HE/FE RIP.

Robin Thomas
University of London