Executive elections: new faces, new challenges

The Observer’s feature on Westminster’s new faces got me thinking about the fresh faced executive the Students’ Union will have come late on Tuesday night.

As if everyone hadn’t had enough of elections; their were some bleary eyes round Mandela House on Friday morning and most students don’t look back fondly on the campaign gauntlet laid down on the mall during sabbatical election week, Tuesday brings the Students’ Union executive elections.

Twenty-two students will be campaigning to try and convince you they are the right person to elect to one of the 12 positions that need to be filled for next year.

Those lucky enough to be elected, who will no doubt seek advice on how to be a good officer, could do worse than taking heed to the advice dished out in today’s Observer article.

Former Labour deputy leader Roy Hattersley, speaking about finding his way as a newly elected MP way back in 1964 says: “avoid veneration. Respect is essential, but revereance encourages the belief that parliament is important in itself. It’s a workshop not a shrine.”

Basically, you’re on the exec to do a job, represent your fellow students, not to get friendly and comfortable with the SU’s political leadership, hang out on level 3 and have a picture of your mug on the stairs.


Don't let your face get to your head

Hattersley advices new MP’s to have the courage of their convictions and that simple message can be applied to new exec members. Remember that you were elected as an individual to represent students, not as part of a team and sometimes you need to speak up even if it will cause an argument with someone you like and respect.

But at the same time Hattersley says “a member who constantly does the whip’s bidding becomes as ridiculous as one who rebels three times a week for no better reason than hope of notoriety.”

For those not familiar with political language, a whip is someone responsible for making MP’s of a certain party all vote the same way – for the team.

What Hattersley says is as relevant to the exec as it is to MP’s. If you come in with an axe to grind and are set on voting against a certain group of exec members or one member then you will quickly become ridiculous and unhelpful to union democracy, probably finding yourself on the receiving end of a boot out the door next election.

But at the same time a “good House of Commons man or woman” type person in the executive, who always votes with a group or person on the exec, is just at useless.

From my experience Hattersley is right, sometimes you need to be a team player, be flexible and stand with your fellow executive members and sometimes you need to rebel and stand firm for what you believe in.

The Labour man says in Westminster the only amenity he enjoyed “was my own coat hook” and he worked where ever he could find desk space and paid for his own phone calls.

New exec members might get a hoody but certainly don’t get a coat hook and shouldn’t be looking forward to any exciting freebies.

There is no queue jump for Tooters, no name or position dropping for tickets or free sandwiches allowance at Level 2 Spar, the only privilege you get is representing the interests of your fellow students.

Although with the quality of candidates that are standing that is no doubt the only privilege they seek.

But the most salient advice from the feature comes from Stoke-on Trent’s new MP Tristram Hunt who say’s come election day “one (vote) is enough; the rest is ego” but after your election you’re there to work hard for the people that put their trust in you and there is no room for ego in that.

Everyone should hear that advice now and again.