We asked every Lancs FTO candidate the same questions, and here’s what they said: Part Two

We’re inching closer to the time when we’re frantically trying to log in to our Lancaster accounts to vote for the next batch of Full Time Officers at Lancaster SU! We asked all of the 13 candidates for all four positions the exact same questions, and here’s what they told us – part two.

What would your first action as an FTO be?

President candidates

Adam Baguley: “Organise a general assembly of students and staff. I immediately want to take steps towards a more democratic and dynamic running of the university by those who have the real interests in securing high quality education: the staff and students united.”

Ben Carter: “My first action would be to start regular public forums where myself and the other officers are held accountable. These forums would create a space for open discussion, ensuring that student voices are at the heart of LUSU’s decision-making.”

Ollie Earnshaw: “Start my two hour drop in session, book lecture theatres for open forums. I’ll do everything i can to make sure LUSU is led with student concerns at its heart. I’d love to say that I’d lobby the university for decreased rent on my first day. But this takes time. Making the Union student focused, in touch with student issues is something that i will do as quick as possible. Ensuring its ear is firmly to the floor, an effective union is a union that serves, listens and delivers for its students.”

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Rory O’Ceallaigh: “Much of my manifesto relies on lobbying the university to do the work for us. We’re going through a lot of change at the moment, particularly with the financial situation, a new vice-chancellor, and the Curriculum Transformation Programme (CTP) – all of these are gaps in the university’s “armour”, which we can use to re-establish student/university relations, to get us seats at the table that matter, and to get the university on board with putting the student needs first. As such, my first priority as President will be to establish these relationships with the new university management, as everything pivots from that!”

Education Officer candidates

Matthew Lamb: “Implement the Department of LU Efficiency. I want to recruit as many passionate volunteers as possible, gather their complaints about how the education system currently works, I would be happy to take on their suggestions for improvement. I think for too long, when students are having academic issues, they have been told to just send an email, which makes them invisible. LUSU needs to be seen on campus, we need in-person rapid response support for students facing immediate issues.”

Morgan O’Carroll: “My first priority as Education Officer would be to continue working on what the current Education Officer has been working towards whilst adding in my issues that haven’t previously been looked at. This way, I can understand current issues that are already in redevelopment and provide a fresh pair of eyes to tackle them in a new and exciting way.”

Niamh McAuley: “Working with Associate Deans and services staff across the University to start the process of reviewing assessment bunching and educational policies surrounding feedback timeframes. This is really important to start the process as quickly as possible for current and incoming students to ensure there is less stress around deadlines.”

Wellbeing Officer Candidates

Eliza Young: “I’d comb through the LUSU website and work to make simple and navigable guides for campaigns, mental health support and harassment.”

Leah Buttery: “Of all my campaign goals, the most achievable within a short space of time is to begin organising regular meetings with student campaigners to facilitate better communication between students and LUSU, as well as setting up an LCO assembly to build the foundations of support tailored to each individual forum’s needs. My hope is that by doing this I can offer more structured support and guidance to these groups to help their campaigns progress effectively. Full time students have such little free time as it is, and I’m keen to facilitate an environment in which their voices are lifted and listened to whilst mitigating the stress of trying to balance doing a degree alongside campaigning to improve the student experience.”

Activities Officer Candidates

Emily Woods: “My first action would be to consult directly with clubs and societies, making sure their voices shape the SU’s priorities from day one. I’d also push for an immediate review of the Sports Pass and kit system to ensure students aren’t being priced out of sport. Alongside this, I’d set up clearer channels of communication, so student leaders always know where to go for support.”

Finn Van Breugel: “It may seem like a really small thing but I will go round to all society storage cupboards to get a better idea of the state they are in. After speaking to society exec they’ve said better organisation of storage spaces can be solved by literally just buying some shelves and it will make the day to day running of societies so much easier. This is something very achievable that I can do on day one and make the lives of societies so much easier. ”

Nic Robinson: “Learn as much as I can! I’d want to meet with as many groups as possible so they know who I am, and to gain feedback. I’d then get work on delivering the points raised in my manifesto!”

Tom Hopkins: “Either the planning of Freshers’ Fair and a separate women’s+ in sport fair or having on union cloud all societies with the executive members contact details and emails which is visible for all societies to improve communication”

What can you bring to the table that the other candidates can’t?

President candidates

Adam Baguley: “My campaign is clearly quite different to the other candidates hahaha. With the democratic mandate of Lancaster’s students I can link up with other student unions across the country where similar campaigns are being launched. In Cardiff, a massive student campaign has been launched to defend staff from job cuts. In Leeds, a communist candidate for SU got banned from running, but got massive support anyway. This shows the mood across the country for a national campaign against capitalism. A Channel 4 poll showed that 47 per cent of young people support Revolution, I do too!”

Ben Carter: “As an activist, I have a track record of achieving change without holding an official position. I know how to fight for the changes we need from the university, and I won’t hesitate to challenge those in power to ensure students get the representation and support they deserve.”

Ollie Earnshaw: “I listen, and I deliver for students. I believe i’m the best placed to tackle the rent crisis at the university. I have a passion for student issues. Off of my own back, I started a tenants union, engaged in discussions, and grew a membership base. I would love to carry on this really important work in tackling the abhorrent rent prices.”

Rory O’Ceallaigh: “As I’ve already said, I’m a Student Trustee for LUSU already, which means I have the insight already into LUSU and the university about what we can and can’t do given the current financial climate. I think I also have far more insight into why my manifesto pledges need to happen, more than just ‘X because students don’t like it at the moment’, because that’s not something the university will listen to. Take rent control for example, I’ve already outlined how controlling rent will free up the student economy to start spending at the university again, but there’s also the impact on student mental health to consider. Currently, when students aren’t studying, they’re working to earn money to eat, that money they earn is being spent on food and that’s it, there’s no spare cash to spend on luxuries or activities that aren’t work or study, and this is exacerbating the burden on the Student Mental Health Service, which is already overcapacity. Therefore, another benefit for the university to control rent is reducing the investment they’re having to put into student mental health.”

Education Officer candidates

Matthew Lamb: “I would say the other candidates are sensibly running on safe policies that generally students would support. However, in my usual fashion, I decided to be bold and really try to create new discussions on the direction of LUSU. I understand that not everyone will agree with some of my policies, and I hope that at least demonstrates that I will not shy away from standing up for students even if it is politically difficult.”

Morgan O’Carroll: “I believe my strength would be active change. Although compared to other candidates I am not a current JCR or Sports captain. I do have experience as an ex president of the astronomy society and have years of being an academic rep along side working as a student ambassador for the computing department. All of which fall under the academic sector. As such, I have been at the forefront of the academic system for years now and completely side with and understand the issues arising across departments. With having first hand input in the positive structural curriculum change in my department during my time at Lancaster. I believe I have the real skills to make an impact for everyone.”

Niamh McAuley: “Experience. Having been a Faculty Rep for five months I have worked behind the scenes being the student voice in high level committees, speaking up in difficult and challenging conversations. For College Presidents the next step up is becoming LUSU President, for a Faculty Rep its Education Officer. My experience means I can effectively push the student agenda, making me a great choice to be the next Education Officer ahead of other candidates.”

Wellbeing Officer Candidates

Eliza Young: “If I am voted in to this position I don’t want it to be from subtly bringing down other candidates- I stand on my own merit and I think the other candidate seems like an intelligent, compassionate and hardworking individual.”

Leah Buttery: “Experience! I was Vice-President Welfare and Campaigns on Furness JCR for a year, I represented Lancaster students as the LGBTQ+ delegate at the NUS Liberation Conference, I worked with Children in Need last year to advise on funding for a nationwide mental health support program for young people, and I’m currently working with LUSU on a campaign to provide free, accessible, and inclusive menstrual products across campus. I’ve worked in a professional capacity with LUSU for a year already and actively engaged in discussions with University Mental Health staff about improving their services, as well as participating in conversations with LUSU and JCR wellbeing officers about the biggest issues facing students in the current climate. I have passionately represented students and young people throughout my time at university, and I strive to be able to continue to do so.”

Activities Officer Candidates

Emily Woods: “Experience, leadership, and a track record of getting things done. I’m the only candidate with experience leading both a sports team, a society, and a JCR. I’ve served on sports committee, worked as a JCR President (winning president of the year), and led teams through challenges—so I know the system inside out. I’ve actively fought for student interests before, pushing for change when needed rather than just talking about it. I’m not just someone with ideas—I’m someone who has delivered for students. I know what’s broken, I know how to fix it, and I’m ready to make real change.”

Finn Van Breugel: “First of all I’m the only candidate that is on a college exec and BUCS sport exec so I know how both college and uni sport works and how I can best support these groups of people. Second my passion and love for Lancaster is unmatched, the energy and eagerness I bring to the table is nothing the other candidates will match. I want to do everything iIpossibly can to make this place the best it can be.”

Nic Robinson: “I have experience, or have been involved in ALL levels of sport! Uni, College, Intramural & Turn Up and Play. I’m also the only candidate with experience of organising a Roses, having been on Roses Committee for our home win in 2024! I believe all of this knowledge and experience puts me in the best position to take on the role and represent our student groups!”

Tom Hopkins: “Being able to engage those who are currently uninvolved in societies and have environments that accommodate all students especially for those who don’t drink.”