Election hopes for ex-SU President
Former YUSU President James Alexander has been selected as Labour parliamentary candidate for York Outer, the University’s local constituency. He has appealed for student support in a general election.
Alexander was elected as councillor for Holgate ward in the May local elections and almost immediately launched a bid for selection as Labour’s parliamentary candidate. He defeated fellow councillor Paul Blanchard to the nomination in the first round of voting on September 19.
Alexander, YUSU President 2004-05, describes himself as “an ordinary guy trying to do extraordinary things.” He has appealed to students to support his candidacy saying: “This is a marginal constituency, students will have the option to vote on campus and I think it is important that they vote for someone who has represented students before and will do a good job.
“Never in the history of the University has a former YUSU president stood for a parliamentary seat that covers the University. This could lay to rest the final question about the central bar and venue.”
The new York Outer ‘donut’ constituency, which completely encircles the current York Central constituency, currently has no Labour council representation and is widely considered to be a two horse race between Liberal-Democrats and Conservatives. Alexander said this view was “complete rubbish.”
Alexander has rejected claims that, at 24, he is too young to enter the House of Commons. He said: “Even though I’m young, I’ve led a life. I came from an inner city poor school, I’ve come from a single parent background, I’ve managed to work hard and try and achieve something, I think, that sets an example to other people while at the same time also shows that hard work does pay off.”
Alexander expressed confidence that Gordon Brown would call a general election for November 1. He said: “I think it [the election] can happen anytime soon. I worked a bit for the Labour Party and I’ve been saying for ages kind of October, November time. I’ve been saying it since February and everyone’s said no, I was crazy. Now it looks like it going to happen which is advantageous to the national party but not necessarily advantageous to me.” Brown has since killed speculation over a November 1 election. A May election seems more likely, although it could be delayed until as late as 2010.
In aid of his bid for the nomination, Alexander created a number of videos which he posted on his website, time-4-change.org.uk. In ‘The York Outer Video’ Alexander says: “I really enjoy modern campaign methods and feel that video is more personable than leaflets ever can be.” He stands by a projected image of York Outer, which turns into the Houses of Parliament at the snap of a finger.
Alexander was a controversial president, allegedly counting drinkers at Derwent bar as attendees during a UG, in order to reach quoracy. Alexander was also accused of authoritarianism after refusing to allow media stories on the arrest of his YUSU Treasurer Ozzy Atton for a violent assault.
