Students at the University of Exeter have voted overwhelmingly that their Chancellor, Lord Alexander of Weedon, should either resign from his university post, or relinquish his non-executive directorship with the French multinational oil company TotalFinaElf. The referendum was organised by the Guild of Students (NUS) at the university after repeated calls that he stand down from one or other of his positions were either dismissed or ignored by the chancellor.

This staggering victory by the campaigning Free Burma Group at the university sends a clear message to the chancellor that the student body has absolutely no confidence in his ability to adequately represent the university whilst such representation is in conflict with his business interests. In the highest turn out in a Guild election for a considerable amount of time, over 2200 students voted on the issue, with 1525 calling for his resignation, and only 707 voting in his defence.

News of the decision by students should be broadcast to the Burmese people on Radio Free Burma, sending them a message of encouragement and demonstrating that people the world over are concerned about their situation.

In the absence of any satisfactory response from the chancellor in the light of this result, students plan to demonstrate outside Northcott House (the University's administrative building) on Monday 18th February, from 12noon. Additionally a motion will be proposed at the next Guild Council meeting to ask that he be barred from entering Guild buildings.

It is hoped that the result of this referendum will demonstrate to the companies who choose to invest in the country that opposition to their action will come from all angles. Democratically elected leader of the Burmese people and Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has stated repeatedly that international corporations should stay out of Burma until the military regime takes concrete steps toward democracy.

Should the chancellor choose to step down from his position at the university, the protest and campaign will focus on the need for the university to be mindful of ethical concerns when considering candidates for any new appointment.

The Free Burma Group will also be petitioning the local MP for Exeter, Ben Bradshaw, a junior Foreign Office minister with responsibility for Burma. They will be requesting that the government play a more constructive role in preventing UK companies from investment in the country. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has repeatedly called for such sanctions.