Election fury
A few things bothered me about this years’ SU election campaigning…
Out of nowhere, people who I’d never heard of before suddenly invade campus kitchens. Some of the candidates that entered my kitchen deserve jailtime if smugness was a crime. They put up the posters, but how do I get to speak to any of them? They put some ambitious, vague policies on their posters, trying to vainly emulate real politicians. However, as crap as real politicians may be, I can challenge them by mail, fax and phone. I didn’t see a single poster with a contact email address. What made me laugh was lines on the posters like “I was headgirl at school”, “I know how to manage people”, “I’m hardworking and well liked”. Oh dear another set of public school sloanes on a popularity drive. Jokers…
James Rand
Russell Norton
As a candidate who ran in last term’s elections, I take real offence at James’ comments. First of all, the absence of email addresses on posters is a regulation of the elections - electronic campaigning is not allowed. Second, there was ample opportunity to speak to us at the numerous hustings which were well publicised. If he is too lazy to peel himself away from his computer to go to hustings that is his problem. Finally, I did not see any campaign based on claims such as, ‘I was headgirl,’ or, ‘I’m hardworking and well liked.’ I do beleive that these are important pieces of information to make a character judgement but being a head girl or well liked does not make you a, ‘public school sloane,’ or a, ‘joker.’ I went to a state school and it has never been an issue.
I would be keen to hear James’ response and any other peoples’ opinions
Emma
I agree with James about email addresses, it would be good to be able to contact candidates this way. If this is against the rules then perhaps that needs to be changed: how about a public forum to address candidates on the model of ‘Ask YUSU’? If we can vote online then I don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to ask questions online. If people cannot be peeled away from their computers to vote in person surely it unlikely they will go hustings..
However, much as I disliked the invasion of posters and candidates into my kitchen, how else are candidates supposed to gather support?