The questioning of all election candidates took place today from 1.10pm in the Speakeasy bar. The event was chaired by deputy general manager Dominic Doherty. The event was very poorly attended, with many students in for lunch then leaving during the questions. When the final candidates were called on to the stage, there was merely a scattering of a few candidates’ friends and student journalists.
BY GOWN TEAM
First up were the candidates running for President – Gareth McGreevy and Daniel Critchlow. McGreevy stressed his local roots and deemed his commitment, or “over-commitment”, to be one of his weaknesses/strengths. Continuity was a big issue for McGreevy, and he asked the question, “Why leave business unfinished?” He says that his year as VP Campaigns and Communications means that he “has continuity behind him”. Speaking about sales being down in the Union bars, he lay blame with the aggressive marketing campaigns of rivals such as Rain at the beginning of the year. He claims that a review of services, a business plan and more advertising are all needed. McGreevy was keen to point out the importance of accountability and refuted Critchlow’s claim that those running on his ticket are not a team, but are instead a collection of individuals. McGreevy says that he won’t be working for the university, but will work with them.
Daniel Critchlow stressed the experience he has acquired in the last four years at QUB, with working in the Union bars, involvement in clubs and societies, and sitting on Management Board. He believes that the Union needs a “strong president”, a president that will “take the bull by the horns and be aggressive”. He voiced his hope that he would encourage a seven day university week, and that clubs and societies would meet at weekends. Critchlow, who compared the role of President to the Dark Knight, was keen to point out that current President, Shane Brogan, nominated him and so thinks that he is the candidate to succeed in the presidential race. Critchlow believes that his strength is his ability to make big decisions, on issues like PRP for example, and not sit on the fence. He is adamant that whoever wins this election that next year’s executive needs to be unified, unlike the split executive that we currently have. He says that the executive shouldn’t appease the University, but they shouldn’t encourage “crazy socialism” either. Critchlow says, “When I say I’m going to do something, I’ll do it”.
The presidential candidates were followed by Stephen Connolly and Fiona Kidd, candidates for the Campaigns and Communications post. Connolly reaffirmed his manifesto commitments to establish a central timetable for events and interests, which is simultaneously “central” and “tailored to individual student needs.” He was keen to highlight the absence of media in Kidd’s manifesto, and pointed out his past experience in graphic design, film making, and events organising and promotion. Connolly, who is currently working as a marketing assistant in the Union, promises to create a sense of community that will entice people back to the Union. Kidd has worked as a security guard in the Union and helped at Welcome Week two years in a row. She promises to extend email space and bring Freshers’ Week back under Union control. She cites her ability to talk and her 3 years of professional working experience among her strengths, and was keen to stress how well she knows the Union. Regarding the lack of any mention of media in her manifesto, Kidd said, “I didn’t want to lie in my manifesto. “Design”isn’t the post, it is VP Campaigns and Communications. Word of mouth can be quicker than media.” Both candidates showed their support for The Gown, with Kidd saying, “It is a disgrace that the removal of The Gown from the Union is an issue. I would ensure The Gown would remain in the Union.”
The standard of debate and answers by the Welfare candidates was to a low standard, with McGibbon the only exception. McGibbon was the only candidate who showed any substantive policies or any evidence of meaningful research. He reiterated points made in his manifesto and cited problems in the wider South Belfast area as one of the biggest challenges faced by the VP Welfare in the next academic year. Greg McLarnon stressed that his six years spent at QUB, due to various issues such as ill-health, would make him a good candidate that is able to help people going through similar issues. Aine Ní Cheara’s most plausible idea was to introduce ice cards.
In the section for the Education candidates, Nathan Anderson, who has so far impressed with his knowledge, appeared nervous and got lost in a rambling story in his opening speech. Despite this, he appeared to be confident that his experience and his endorsed policies make him a good candidate for the job. When asked what the biggest challenge would be for VP Education, Anderson said that there would be a number of challenges, such as fees, teaching and minority subjects. He promises to meet with people and hold “surgeries” with various schools. In terms of what he thinks of the current executive, Anderson says he would stand up for PRP and The Gown. Fionnuala McKenna reiterated a lot of what Anderson said, adding, “I would like to be able to come up with lots of ideas and policies”. McKenna thinks the current executive has done “pretty well”.
The GAA-endorsed candidates for the post of VP Clubs and Societies, Niamh McKernan and Niall McDermott, spoke in populist terms about decreasing PEC fees and increasing student involvement. McKernan currently works in the PEC and stressed her links with those who are connected with it, whilst McDermott promises to “make the PEC our PEC”. McKernan highlighted the enjoyment that comes with clubs and societies, while McDermott went further and said that too many people come to QUB and leave with just a degree. Bole, a long-time Union employee, has detailed proposals for financial reform in the running of clubs and societies, promising simplified procedures and more effective training for committee members. Boles’ supporters have highlighted the GAA’s stranglehold on the position, with GAA or GAA-approved candidates occupying the clubs and societies post for the past 14 years.
Grace Lynch was absent from the event today due to having to attend a funeral. However, she sent through a statement which reaffirmed the major points made in her manifesto. Samantha Tan faced questions alone, and as an international student who is passionate about minority groups, she feels she is a good candidate for the job. Having no previous experience of council, Tan argues that this is an advantage as she would be coming to the post with no past grievances and will take a fresh outlook on things.
In the Community hustings, GAA/Law Society/Conservatives and Unionists/Independent candidate Alex Redpath spoke in some detail over his plans for better parking facilities and continuity in Laura Hawthorne’s work in response to the “St. Patrick’s Day riots”. He proposes larger cross-campus events, and measures to increase neighbourliness in the Holylands. In response, Jay Downs cited his wealth of experience in various worthy QUB causes, including RAG and NUS-USI, promising steps towards an SU estate agents, lobbying for a safe tenancy deposit scheme backed by the government, and a newly purchased bus to continue the work of the temporary night bus scheme.
In the VPCS Hustings Niall Bole came across as the most informed and experienced candidate by far.
To say the other two candidates spoke “in populist terms” is an understatement they simply restated the same goals and promises as previous VPCS candidates. In fact McKernan and McDermott basically said the exact same thing and at times it seemed like they were tripping over one another’s words.
Only Niall Bole seemed to have any new ideas and only he gave concrete plans for reform of Clubs and Societies financial system. He showed that he has a genuine interest in doing the job and its a shame that by the time he was on stage any floating voters had already left.
I think its time for a change in the VPCS position and the applause that Niall Bole received when he said “Its not all about sport” is a clear indication of this.
I was at the election talks today and it was depressing. Especially the girl who said she hoped to carry on Lilly and Duffy’s hard work from this year. Made me feel sick.
Also, yer man Connolly might be employed in the Union but we’ve never seem him do any work – he does like to tell people “Do you know who I am?” though. Arrogance goes hand in hand with politicians!
I agree with barsman re Fionnuala McKenna. She didn’t have a clue. It was painful. If she was subjected to questions from the floor she would have been slaughtered. Absolutely slaughtered. Totally uninformed. Also, why is current VPs like Lilly and duffy supporting candidates such as McKenna and McKernan and Ni Cheara who seem to be totally clueless? Surely they should have the Union and the Students’ best interest at heart?
I am sorry but what do these people actually do?
Do they ever fulfill their manifestos?
I haven’t even been here a year and I am already disappointed in their “campaigns”. Fairtrade fortnight? Do you know how dear that stuff is in the shops?
Dear confused first year
If you aren’t satisfied with the work of the current sabbaticals then it’s up to you, and your classmates/flatmates/mates in general to elect a better batch this year.
It’s obvious if you have any kind of in-depth read of the manifestos that quite a few of the candidates haven’t even put any effort into them, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of the year if they get elected!
I though mc kenna did well, Anderson was a laugh, he went on and on. I heard that him and Crutchley were strong chanllengers but after that I have reconsidered.
Also bar staff what would you know about the sabs? Idiot.
Well, perhaps the bar staff don’t know too much about some sabs seeing as they spend all their drinking time at the Bot these days, but there have certainly been instances where sabs (and one or two of next year’s potential crop!) have tried the “do you know who I am” card to get out of trouble, or get drinks in after time has been called.
What a wonderful example to set…
“I though mc kenna did well”
Explain that one!
@ full time member of staff:
McKenna was friggin atrocious – I’ll be near done with the idea of union elections if the Allied Botdicks triumph again. Calling Anderson her “challenger”. Lord-oh.
Regarding the debate today I feel that this year there is a great calibre of nominees. I felt that McKenna spoke lucid on the issues despite the fact that the above comments state otherwise. I think that it is a valuable actuality that this is not a public speaking contest therefore no one was graded on their appropriate use of grammar or terminology, the words “challenger”, “dragon slayer” and “botdicks” spring to mind. I think that it’s quite a low tactic to bring last year’s candidates like lilly and Duffy to light and use as ammunition upon hopeful VP’S. To be honest I think that Bole cub sounded as bad as a burning amp, him an Anderson. It’s strange that these comments are dictated by Bole and Anderson’s potential triumph and slate, or should I say ‘slay’ a good crop of candidates like Connolly, McKernan and McKenna. If I was running, not that I would if Jack the ripper was on me, but if I was I would get rid of that dragon slaying club and invest in a few good bookclubs, where we can read Harry Pothead. All hail McKernan, McKenna, Connoly. . . . .Good Luck.
Please dont let Connolly in, his “experience” in promotions is a badly run DJ night at the Menagerie. I have no vested interest in any of the candidates, I know none of them personally, but he please, just not him.
The only good thing that may come about if he is elected is that they may have to cancel his “sesh” in the foyer of the union on some evenings. God forbid…
Well, you misspell Gryffindor and go downhill from there.
Why not bring Duffily into it? They ran on a Law Soc/GAA ticket, had no original or meaningful ideas, sprouted feckless soundbites, then got elected as “good aul lads, civil leeyk, ye cauld drenk wi’ them leeyk.”
Ni Cheara, McKenna and McKernan clearly care so much about their posts, they obviously spent literally no time on research, preperatory work, or anything resembling conscious thought on the matter.
Ni Cheara especially lifted ideas wholesale from Ronan Digney’s manifesto of last year, and to a lesser extent from McAleavey’s the year before that. McKenna…aye, she “spoke lucid”. Good on the girl. Words in the right order. Unlike some of her supporters.
Connolly is a patronising poser, and if you are a genuine GAA type (not the middle-class rebel songs after several pints-types on show here)I really can’t see the appeal.
They’re all peas in a useless pod: Duffily epitomise the pod in paid action. The Botdicks.
@ Griffinder
Dragonslayers has won “Most involved in the Students Union” at the annual Society of the year awards for two years running. Would you like to know why?
We’ve provided and continue to provide TV’s, projectors, sound systems and other AV equipment to any club or society that requests it. We also provide tables, PA systems and our power distribution board to the SU for events like the freshers bazaar.
We also take part in annual events like the St Patrick’s Day festival and University open days. Were also one of the few clubs and societies that offer social events not centered around consuming alcohol.
Never mind that were the largest student run society in Queens. With all our members joining voluntarily and not because we are department affiliated.
In short we do a lot for students and the students union a fact that is widely recognized by anyone who’s been involved in clubs and societies including most of the exec.
In short if you want to try and write us off as a bunch of nerds and shut us down be my guest. I’ll be right there waiting for you.
“Fionnuala McKenna reiterated a lot of what Anderson said, adding, “I would like to be able to come up with lots of ideas and policies””
ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS! Direct quote. The embaressing thing is that the GAA will elect complete eejits just because they are GAA and not because they have any ability to do the job. It’s not what ya know its who ya know. Until GAA is stopped the Sabs will be ineffective, it is ruining our union.
“The embaressing thing is that the GAA will elect complete eejits just because they are GAA and not because they have any ability to do the job. It’s not what ya know its who ya know. Until GAA is stopped the Sabs will be ineffective, it is ruining our union.”
The masses have spoken, and they talk sense.
Do you smell that?
mmmmh, victory for students!
I would like to congratulate all the guys that got elected this year onto the Executive of the SU. I know that they will all do a good job.
Listen, different people have different strengths. Some people don’t perform well under the pressure of a microphone in front of a lot of people. Especially whenever there was an election to worry about the day after. The positions are filled for the year, and I think we should leave it at that. All of the guys will do a great job next year, I have no doubt, and every one of them has their strenghts and weaknesses. However, whatever weaknesses they have can be and will be addressed as the year goes on. That is the point of the position.
I just want to wish the 2010/11 Executive all the best and I hope that the SU can regain some power against the University.
Paul
Good comment Paul, gracious and well thought out.
A civil lad you can count on.