President of the Union - Candidate Simon Matthews
Manifesto The Building Redevelopment, the Clubs and Societies Review, the GSA, leaving University of London. What do they have in common? They are all exciting, major projects that our Union has already invested a lot of time and money in and are longterm plans that must be finished off next year. Unless these projects are carried through properly next year's sabbaticals will be throwing away everything that has been done this year. What else? Well they are all projects that I am currently either running or actively involved in. Indeed as a current Sabbatical I am involved in practically everything that is happening and this experience is going to enable me two promises no one else can: That all of these projects will be completed, providing our Union with a fantastic future. That all of next year's Sabbaticals will be able to fulfil their promises.
As current DPCS, are you just another Union hack that can't get enough of the place?
If I wanted to leave, I could leave.
I wouldn't use that word to describe me, unless you mean everyone who wants to help the Union is a hack.
I just want to put something back in; I took a lot out during my four years and I would like to make it better for everyone else.
Doesn't being a current sabbatical put you at an unfair advantage?
Why do sabbatical positions exist? Are they there to educate the people we elect or are they there to run the Union and do what we can for everyone else?
If it's the former, then yes, absolutely, there's no way I should be standing.
If it's to help everyone else, then you'd want the person with the most experience and is the best qualified for the job.
What have you already done aside from the much hyped Clubs and Societies Review?
I've been heavily involved in the building master plan for the Union; large chunks of the building will be designed partly by myself.
We've also changed the way new clubs are set up to prevent random rubbish societies existing and chewing up people's time and money.
Your manifesto is vague and doesn't hold down any specific promises what are your pledges?
I'd like to work with College to ensure students can retain the free gym services.
Basically the situation with situation with the gym is that it's costing College about £800,000 a year the keep it free.
It's quite a tricky balance, something we're all working on together and something I'd like to continue working on.
The training of Union officers is also an important issue. At the moment we get lots of new people who pour their hearts and souls into the Union, but ultimately, they don't know what they're doing.
If we get our officers trained and fully competent, we'll have a much better Union in the future. As I said in my manifesto, I'll run a Union which will keep its promises.
Your demeanour sometimes comes across as quite shy; surely this isn't a good quality in a potential president?
I occasionally tend to be quite shy and sometimes get nervous, but that's not been so much a problem.
Anyone who's seen me and been in pressurising situations with me will know that I react well to them, so my shyness only comes across when I try and talk to people in the street which I could never ever do.
Summarise your campaign in a few words.
Experience, knowledge and a better Union.
