Louise Nugent on politics, women’s health and her Queen Margaret Union election campaign

If you’ve ever stepped foot into the Queen Margaret Union, you’ll know it’s not just another building on campus. Born in 1890 because women at University of Glasgow were tired of being sidelined, the QMU was literally built on protest energy. Main character behaviour since day one.

Fast forward to 2026 and it’s still that independent, slightly chaotic, fiercely creative space we all know and love, inclusive of any gender. And now? It’s election season. Enter: Louise Nugent.

We sat down with one of the candidates – a fourth-year international relations and social public policy student – to talk about why she’s running for QMU President and what she thinks the union needs next.

For those of our readers who’ve been tuning in for a while, you may recognise her as our old Editor-in-Chief (a natural born leader and true icon, if we do say so ourselves). She’s spent two years on the QMU Board already and now she’s ready to take on presidency

“I think the QMU works best when it remembers where it came from,” she told us. “It was founded by women who wanted space, voice, and community. That spirit shouldn’t just be history — it should be visible in everything we do now.”

So what ideas has she got in store? Lets dive into her manifesto!

More events for home students

Louise started uni as a home student before moving out, which means she understands the pain of calculating whether you can make the last train or if you’re spiritually prepared to pay for an Uber. That’s why she’s big on home student inclusion. Her plan? A Freshers event with the bar open and tables split by areas like Paisley and East Kilbride so you can find your people, share taxis, and actually make friends who also have to leg it for the 10.43pm train.

“It sounds simple,” she explained, “but if you can sit down and immediately find someone else from your neighbourhood, suddenly you’ve got a taxi buddy, a train buddy, someone who gets it. That’s how community starts.”

Efficient. Social. Elite.

Make women’s health more central to QMUs long-standing values

Louise also spoke candidly about her recent diagnosis with endometriosis and how that has influenced her priorities.

She wants to work with Endometriosis Scotland, put posters in bathrooms highlighting symptoms of Endometriosis, PCOS and other women’s health conditions, and run annual fundraisers during awareness month.

“The QMU began as the women’s union,” she said. “Women’s healthcare shouldn’t feel like an add-on. It should feel central.”

For her, the issue is about visibility.

“If one person sees a poster and realises they should go speak to a GP, that matters. That’s tangible.”

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Increasing communication and relations

Having already served on the Board, Louise was quick to come up with ideas for the running of the union. More publicity, stronger ties with external relations, more takeovers, weekly emails about events. Because what’s the point of planning a banging event if three people and someone’s situationship show up. This is all for you, dear reader, she wants to let you know about all the kick-ass events on offer at QMU, she’s literally handing you your Friday night plans on a plate (or via an email).

“I just want everyone to know how amazing our events are”

Political and social stances

We also asked whether she anticipates shifting the union’s political stances if elected.

Her answer was direct: “I don’t think values should change because of a title,” she said. “The QMU has taken positions on divestment from defence companies, on MAP fundraising and support for Palestine, and on improving disabled access in the building. I think consistency matters.”

“My love for the QMU came from it being such a charitable and diverse space”. QMU is certainly known for being an incusive space for absolutely anyone, and that shines through in Louise and her policies.

She framed this as part of maintaining institutional integrity. “If we say we stand for something, that shouldn’t be conditional.”

Her closing statement to The Glasgow Tab was this: “My passion for the QMU runs deep, I hope everyone sees that and have the opportunity to turn my manifesto into real change.” That brought a tear to my eye…

So there you have it! If you care about women’s health, actual transparency, or just want a President who’s got experience behind the scenes, she’s your girl.

BUT. And this is the part where you stop scrolling.

You have to be a QMU member to vote.

Not “I went once during Freshers’.” A real, signed-up member. Don’t act shocked when democracy requires mild effort.

Go Louise, Go!

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