Gaz Hughes - Review of the Presidential Year

pmqs · Street Demonstrator

What has Gaz Hughes got wrong, or failed on? Or should we do all we can to re-elect him in March?

naivehottie · Black Bloc

I think he's done a good job, but I want to see who the other candidates are before I decide whether to vote to re-elect him or not, although he'll probably be the strongest candidate. I don't really agree with sabbs running again but as that's the rule I'll vote for who I think the best candidate is regardless.

Johnny P · Black Bloc

LOL, its not even over yet! My two cents is that i wouldnt re - elect him because i disagree with his politics and decisons made already. In addition, i think things like the galloway debacle are very indicative of his competence and character...
Also, i dont think people should get two terms...i think it will put people off guild democracy if it appears like its controlled the same old same olds (which it is anyway Smile

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"...a society that believes in nothing is particularly frightened by people who believe in anything." Bill Durodle, Director International Centre for Security Analysis, Kings College London

JulienP · Black Bloc

Is he definitely standing again? As far as I am aware all we have are rumours about candidates, but no firm facts. But let's face it we're not going to get firm facts unless people admit to wanting to run, as I have already stated I think anybody would be foolish to declare they were running at this point in time.

Nice to see pmqs trying to start a (semi) constructive debate for once, instead of just posting conservative future blog pictures which seem to amount to little more than mud-slinging.

I was uncertain and unconvinced about Gary Hughes, definitely felt he was an improvement on his predecessor, and was willing to give him some chance. However recent chats with people at Brum, as well as discussions and debates on this message board, have possibly tipped me into the no camp. Like James says it does depend on who else stands.

Then again what do I know, I am in Germany, and I am only getting second third or even fourth hand information, but remember despite this, Big Brother is watching you! Wink

(I mean everyone!)
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pmqs · Street Demonstrator

Yes he is restanding. He 'announced' it on the cf blog on http://bucf.wordpress.com/2007/01/01/predictions-for-2007/#comments

JulienP · Black Bloc

You see what you lot have done, all this taunting and name-calling has made him more determined to run again, well done! Bloody Tories!
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Johnny P · Black Bloc

I retract my previous comments ...... go garry go, split that NOLS vote ohhhhh
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"...a society that believes in nothing is particularly frightened by people who believe in anything." Bill Durodle, Director International Centre for Security Analysis, Kings College London

JulienP · Black Bloc

What's NOLS vote mean?
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societysteve · Indymedia Hound

National Organisation of Labour Students, I'd imagine...

JulienP · Black Bloc

Ah ok, that makes sense, but which other labourite would run? Surely no member of BUGS Labour Club would dare not tow the party line Wink

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SimonM · Black Bloc

Never mind Gaz - I can't remember why we decided it was a good idea to allow two terms. Any ideas?

JulienP · Black Bloc

Yeah I've been mulling this one over myself. I was initially in favour, and voted accordingly at the GC when it came up. I was swayed by the arguments that it meant there was some sort of accountability, the electorate could chose whether it wanted to get rid of the President and not the constitution. A pres would have to take the views of his electorate more seriously, and not just do things on a whim and alienate half the student population (NBS farce - well half of those who were aware of it anyway. But if there were two issues that students knew about during the year I was involved in Guild politics, it was NBS and BUECU.).

However, later on when I had seen more and more of Guild politics, I started to feel it was a bad idea. The accountability factor was dependant on the pres (or any sabb officer came to think of it) wanting to stand again, (although once in I suppose megalomania and pride come into play, and you want to win again partly for the sheer thrill of it, as well as always having the feeling the job's never quite finished), they could always chicken out, and the electorate would be denied their opportunity to deliver their verdict.

I also started to be a bit more pragmatic and cynical. I felt that although it was more democratic in theory to allow sabbs to stand again, limits (of 2 terms) are still set down in law, and we're not going to be able to change those any time soon. While notions of theoretical more democratic procedures were nice in theory, one could argue it made less democratic in practice. It was hard enough for outsiders to get in in the past, without incumbents being given a second chance, now, those who say Guild exec is just a self-perpetuating elite have more fuel to their fire.

So I think I am now against the idea, but slightly on the fence, I could be convinced otherwise. Man I didn't mean this to be so long, I've got work to be getting on with!
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naivehottie · Black Bloc

naivehottie · Black Bloc

JulienP · Black Bloc