Student Coucil Elections
Yes folks, its that time of year again...no I'm not going to go into a speel about how you've only 50 shopping days left until Christmas, I'm talking about the elections for student council which took place today.
The polling stations at the likes of the PFC and those in the Union and MBC were, as always buzzing with people eager to exercise their democratic right to have their say in the running of the Union. How disappointed they surely were then to see a list of meaningless names on a page with no candidates in sight, not a sniff of a manifesto and very little information in general in relation to what the Student Council actually does.
It is hardly surprising then that the elections have a record for voter apathy and low turnout. How is interest to be generated if no-one is ever to be seen canvassing for support? Surely something needs to be done about this if we are ever to have a Student Council which genuinely represents the wishes and interests of Queen's students.
Of course there is the rabid sectarianism that is to be conquered also. I'm sure this year will see many more explosive arguments and ridiculous motions (anyone for a verse of 'God Save the Queen'? Or maybe we'll move the war memorial in case it causes offence) put forward by the DUP and Sinn Fein representatives. It sounds like a junior Northern Ireland executive - and that can only bring hopes of progress for the future I think you'll agree...
Let's not pass judgement yet however, we'll leave the negative comments until the results are out!
The polling stations at the likes of the PFC and those in the Union and MBC were, as always buzzing with people eager to exercise their democratic right to have their say in the running of the Union. How disappointed they surely were then to see a list of meaningless names on a page with no candidates in sight, not a sniff of a manifesto and very little information in general in relation to what the Student Council actually does.
It is hardly surprising then that the elections have a record for voter apathy and low turnout. How is interest to be generated if no-one is ever to be seen canvassing for support? Surely something needs to be done about this if we are ever to have a Student Council which genuinely represents the wishes and interests of Queen's students.
Of course there is the rabid sectarianism that is to be conquered also. I'm sure this year will see many more explosive arguments and ridiculous motions (anyone for a verse of 'God Save the Queen'? Or maybe we'll move the war memorial in case it causes offence) put forward by the DUP and Sinn Fein representatives. It sounds like a junior Northern Ireland executive - and that can only bring hopes of progress for the future I think you'll agree...
Let's not pass judgement yet however, we'll leave the negative comments until the results are out!
posted by Gown Team at
5:23 pm
8 Comments:
Yesterday's elections were only for the Open Constituency. Given the fact they were held on a University reading week was hardly going to help matters, and so was certainly different from the Council Elections in October which saw posters and canvassing at the polling stations by some candidates.
Good to see the Gown's blog up and running again, let's just hope the standard of journalism can get back to the standard of previous years.
Are there any sinn fein memebrs on council this year?
They seem to have vanished off the political map at Queen's as of late.
Will it be left in poor natalie impson to defend the cause, albeit in a language noone else understands?
Balmoral I find your obsession with Natilie Simpson most disturbing.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
They're all a disgrace - lets not single anyone out now!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Balmoral enough is enough. Its very easy to launch attacks from behind a pseudoname. If like me you dont agree with Natalie's politics fine then attack her on those grounds but please leave the personal attacks and conjecture out of the public sphere they are very unnecessary as well as being unprofessional and will cause problems for the administrators of this blog.
Balmoral,
Your comment above has been removed as it displayed comments of a person nature which could be considered offensive.
Please keep comments constructive.
May I refer readers to the disclaimer at the bottom of the page.
Thank you.
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