I really don’t care about the Exec Elections (cue abuse…). For someone who is quite heavily involved in media and societies, that probably sounds like a ridiculous thing to say. But it’s true! I care about the Executive themselves and I care about what they do during their ‘reign’, but the election process itself just frustrates me.
Firstly, a topic that comes up time and again; I really hate going out during the election period. I hadn’t actually even thought about mentioning it in this article, until Stupid Tuesday last week. Whilst I may start the night politely acquiescing to the demands for photos, give me a few drinks, and after hearing ‘would you like a photo’ for the hundredth time, I am bound to get a little bit annoyed. Even the brilliant excuse of ‘I’ve given up Exec photos for Lent’ was not enough to stop people throwing pieces of cardboard, sweets, wristbands and other pointless items at me. And over the course of the night, they got sneaky about it too. When out with friends, the last thing you want is a complete stranger in a frankly stupid outfit dancing in the middle of you with a massive sign, just so they can get a photo without actually asking, and it isn’t particularly going to make me want to vote for you.
In that same vein, if, on a night out, you are trying to sell your Exec campaign to drunken people, please stay sober yourselves. That would serve two purposes; you would actually understand me when I said no to a photo as opposed to just staring at me blankly and asking again, and you also would be able to answer questions such as “what are your manifesto points?” rather than just screaming “Joe ‘insert stupid name here’ Bloggs for President” in my face repeatedly.
In fact, that’s my main problem with the Exec elections; it seems that unless you are really interested, or follow Label or other LSMedia coverage, you actually have to actively search to find the manifestos of the candidates. Rather than going around campus throwing sweets at me, how about a leaflet that succinctly summarises what you would do and why I would vote for you? That might actually help me remember you long enough to pick your name when I vote.
And a lot of people actually don’t care enough about the elections to look for manifestos. I am probably preaching to the converted right now, as if you are reading this article you have likely also seen and read Label’s excellent coverage of the elections. But for those students who don’t, and who wouldn’t themselves look to get involved in elections, their only exposure is those annoying posters and stupid costumes that are very evident around campus.
A very good example of how some people do not respect the election process at all is Chris McKenna, who is running for VP Finance, seemingly as a joke. I don’t know who told this poor guy that doing that would be hilarious, but sorry dear, it really isn’t. And if anything, the fact he’s getting any of the votes at all shows that the Exec campaign really is more about shock factor and amusement than the actual manifestos.
Maybe that isn’t the fault of those running for Exec; maybe it’s the fault of the largely disinterested population of Loughborough who think it matters so little that they can vote for someone who has no real, useful policies. But, the fact is that the Exec has a massive influence over Loughborough. Even if you don’t notice changes happening, they are; just look at the changes to the campaigning system: The £100 budget cut being possibly the best idea ever, as it has stopped the campaigners from plastering their faces on every blank wall on campus. So who you vote for has a huge influence over your next year in Loughborough, and it should not be based on whose costume was the cheesiest, or who gave you the most sweets.
That is one point where Chris McKenna actually does win out over the other candidates – his lack of a gimmick. From superheroes to animals to god knows what else, adding a gimmicky middle name is only going to help me remember to not vote for you. This year’s elections have been a fantastic one for LSMedia – who have pushed and pushed the candidates to explain their manifestos in meticulous detail; but the candidates themselves have shown no get up and go to take them out to the student population themselves.
And that is why I truly hate the election process, because they do not give me confidence in any of the candidates and their abilities once voted in. Before I vote I will be reading the manifestos of each candidate and using the coverage LSMedia has given each candidate to help my decision, and I suggest you do the same.
What do think about Jo's views? Anyone agree? Comment below or find us on Twitter @labelonline and via our #ExecElections hashtag. And don't forget about your right to #RememberRON .
