Since the University and College Union (UCU) was founded in 2007, it has only had one leader: Sally Hunt. But Ms Hunt, who was elected to the post three times by UCU members, resigned in February owing to health reasons, triggering an election to decide the union’s next leader.

Three candidates have thrown their hats into the ring. Matt Waddup is UCU’s national head of policy and campaigns, and has played a leading role in its campaigns on FE pay and HE pensions. Jo McNeill is president of UCU’s University of Liverpool branch and a member of the union’s national executive committee. She previously stood against Ms Hunt in 2017. Jo Grady is a senior lecturer in employment relations at the University of Sheffield Management School, the pensions officer at UCU’s branch at the university, and was elected to the union’s national executive earlier this year.

Read more: UCU general secretary resigns

More news: College strikes off after college agrees pay rise

Background: Revealed: The candidates bidding to lead UCU

The future of UCU

Ms Grady, Ms McNeill and Mr Waddup took part in a hustings filmed at Tes to discuss their views on further education and their visions for the future of the union.

The election for UCU general secretary opened on Monday 29 April and closes at noon on Thursday 23 May 2019

Grady, McNeill or Waddup?

All three candidates have written for Tes about why they are standing to lead the union.

Jo Grady: 'The union has been letting FE branches down'

Jo McNeill: 'For the sector to thrive, staff must be properly rewarded'

Matt Waddup: 'UCU needs to involve its college members more'

From left: UCU general secretary candidates Jo McNeill, Matt Waddup and Jo Grady