A member of the NASUWT is seeking nominations to challenge Matt Wrack for the job of general secretary, insisting the teaching union 鈥渟hould be led by a teacher鈥. Luke Akhurst, a head of history and secretary of the Leicestershire branch of the union, said he wants members to be given a 鈥済enuine choice鈥 in an election. Schools Week revealed earlier this month that executive had nominated Wrack, the former head of the Fire Brigades Union, as its preferred candidate to replace Dr Patrick Roach as general secretary. The move came as a surprise to many, particularly given Wrack鈥檚 background outside education. The union 鈥 which styles itself as 鈥渢he teachers鈥 union鈥 because it is the only one not to admit other staff 鈥 has always been led by former educators. Technically, any member of the union can challenge Wrack if they are nominated by at least 25 branches. In practice this is difficult, and a contested election has not happened since the early 1990s. But Akhurst intends to try. ‘Members want a teacher on the ballot’ 鈥淚 was encouraged by my members to put my name forward, to get a teacher on the ballot, because obviously, the NASUWT is the teachers union,鈥 he told Schools Week. In his election address, obtained by Schools Week from an anonymous member, Akhurst said the union 鈥渟hould be led by a teacher, and as a lay-led union, it is vital to have a genuine choice. Luke Akhurst 鈥淚 believe we need a candidate who prioritises teachers above politics and takes a pragmatic approach to deliver the best results for our members 鈥 and I am confident I can fulfil that role.鈥 Akhurst said he would use his experience in Leicestershire to 鈥渄rive renewal within the NASUWT鈥. He added: 鈥淔ocusing on recruiting more activists, particularly getting younger members involved. Whilst updating our communications and building our media presence as the teacher鈥檚 union. 鈥淚 am passionate about representing and empowering our members, and I believe my blend of frontline teaching experience and proven union leadership makes me the right choice to lead NASUWT into the future.鈥 ‘Focusing on teachers, not politics’ Wrack鈥檚 nomination also raised eyebrows because he is more left wing 鈥 and outspoken 鈥 than the NASUWT has traditionally been. It is usually the more moderate voice in the sector, whereas the National Education Union tends to be more critical of government. The former FBU boss, who was unseated in an election upset in January, is also a close ally of NEU leader Daniel Kebede, raising the prospect of closer working between the unions if he wins. Many in the NEU鈥檚 executive crave a merger with the NASUWT, but Akhurst believes the union must retain its own distinct voice and approach. 鈥淚 think for me what鈥檚 really important for the NASUWT is focusing on teachers, not politics. We鈥檙e guided by what members want. 鈥淚鈥檓 very proud to be NASUWT. The history of the union is one of standing up around teachers鈥 issues. And I think a lot of activists, people I’ve spoken to, are very proud of the fact that we are a separate union.鈥 Akhurst said he would 鈥渄efinitely oppose a merger鈥, though he is 鈥渘ot against working with the NEU. I work with them on a local level鈥. It is not known if any other members are seeking nominations. Anyone doing so has until April 19. If they do not get enough nominations by then, Wrack will be elected unopposed.