Back Strickland
Every year, The Oxford Student gives its recommendation for who it believes should be Student Union President. We have decided to stick with that policy. Before we do so, however, we should state that we are making it with some reservations. It should be understood that we do not wish to tell people the candidate for whom they should vote. Electing a Student Union President is an important, and personal choice. Besides, in the previous two years, we have backed the unsuccessful candidate.
Apparently students rarely listen to us anyway. However, we recognise that we are in a position of having dealt with both candidates and seen the way in which they work around the Student Union. Being in a position to give some impartial advice and comment, we wish to state that of the two candidates who are standing for election, we back Alan Strickland. Both candidates are experienced, committed and principled.
However, Strickland, with his experience as an Assistant Business Manager at the Student Union over the summer, as well as the knowedge he has of JCR politics, having been Merton JCR President, is the more competent. Strickland enjoys the support of many JCR Presidents, something that will be invaluable in ensuring the lines of communication between colleges and the central Student Union remain open.
Dale, while a passionate student politician, is very involved in various wider political campaigns, and may wish to use the role as a vehicle for furthering those causes, more than focusing on students’ own needs. In the last two terms, no single student has been more responsible for putting motions on wider political issues to OUSU Council, and this is not what we need from a Student Union President.
His lack of JCR experience also works against him. At a time when confidence in the Student Union needs bolstering, we need someone such as Strickland, with his excellent communication skills and committment to an efficient union, to convince students that supporting their Student Union is in their own interests. It is disappointing this year that only one of the many sabbatical positions are uncontested.
Serious debate about each one of these roles could only help students in Oxford, and while there is so little interest in actually running for them, this is unlikely to happen. All that remains for us to do is encourage you all to go and vote.
10th Nov 2005