Anger at hustings debacle
The low turnout for both of this week’s sabbatical election hustings, on Tuesday in South Kensington and on Wednesday in St Mary’s, with few impartial observers attending has once again demonstrated the lack of student interest in Union affairs.
Jeremy Thomson, standing unopposed for the position of Felix Editor, refused to be drawn regarding his plans for Felix next year, but highlighted his background as Arts Editor. He faced particular hostility from St Mary’s over his ignorance regarding topical medical issues.
Next up were the two candidates standing for Deputy President (Clubs&Societies), Sarah Thomas and Smita Chaturvedi, who confirmed that they came from similar hockey backgrounds, and who managed to give similar answers to many of the questions. Ms Thomas’ proposer got the biggest cheer of the night from the medics when she responded to a frontal flanning with "Let’s face it, it’s not the first time that I’ve had cream on my tits and it won’t be the last."
The post of Deputy President (Finance&Services) had three candidates, Rob Clark, John Savery and Duncan Tindall, whose manifestos and answers had strikingly few differences between them. One notable incident was Mr Clark’s downing of eight pints in quick succession.
The two candidates for ICU President, Sam Baker and Omar Kheir, proved the most controversial with general incredulity at their flippant approach to the South Kensington hustings and their ignorance of serious issues.
At first event Sam proposed turning ICU into a brothel with Omar retorting with his wish to see a playpen in Beit Quad. After the second hustings Piers Williams, current DP(F&S) and co-ordinator of the New Election campaign, commented to Felix that he would have said more on behalf of New Election but felt that it wasn’t needed as "all the other candidates seemed to be doing my job for me.
