Meet the candidates running to be LUU Union Affairs Officer

They want to make the union great again


Sam Andrews, 3rd Year Biological Science

How are you feeling about the election?

I’m tired. It’s been a really good experience and I’ve learnt a lot, but it does take a lot out of you. I can’t wait for the results but it’s been fun whatever happens.

What’s the biggest change you want to make?

The biggest change I’d like to make is the addition of sleeping pods in the library. I think this will allow students to relax in times of stress, and it has been proven to increase concentration.

What makes you different to any of the other candidates?

I think it’s because I speak for the students. I’ve done a lot of research to see what students want and I know that sleeping pods in the library and a better relaxing communal area in the Union are needed. These are changes that students can see and use at their leisure.

Why should people vote for you?

The sleeping pods in the library, the bean bag room in the union, and I’ll also push for a Subway in the building. Further to this, I want more competitive sports teams in societies and for there to been events in the union, such as Casino night.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you or your policies?

Come and ask me on Facebook if you have any questions about policy, on @SamAndrews4UA. You can also watch my video there! Hope you enjoy!

Alishia-Kae Rougier, First Year Electronic & Electrical Engineering

How are you feeling about the election?

Really, really nervous honestly! Mostly because I know that I’m running against some stiff competition and it’s anyone’s game right now, it can go any way. I just hope that I reach enough people to get the most votes!

What’s the biggest change you want to make?

I really want to get more support for international students. As an international student myself, I know how hard it is. Not only do we have to pay an extortionate amount of tuition fees, we still have to pay for maintenance and such, which amounts to a tonne and some of us have no help! I want there to be scholarships for international students to aim for so that more students can live their dreams of coming to the U.K. to study. Also, I want to create bursaries and loans for international students who may already be here, who are struggling financially and don’t have access to this kind of help in their home countries. I want to make a life for international students better in any way possible.

What makes you different to any of the other candidates?

I’m different to the other candidates because I’m a major minority. I’m BME, I’m international, I’m a first- year with no bias, just purpose, I’m a female and I’m all that in one. I know how it is to be a minority in many ways and I know how to represent them. I’m passionate about this role and I want to pave the pathway for other minorities who have maybe shied away from getting involved. Plus I’m from the Caribbean, which definitely gives me an edge!

Why should people vote for you?

People should vote for me because I put my all into everything, which is why I’m here miles away from home making my dream come true, studying EEE in the U.K.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you or your policies?

Just know ‘dat I is rel vibes’ (some trini slang for you) but at the same time, very determined to get things done and work for the student body. Also if I do get the position, I will definitely try to not only to achieve my policies, but also those of my fellow candidates because their manifesto policies highlight what the students at this uni want and need, so why not try and get them done as well. I also want to work closely with the exec team to achieve as much as possible in our year as exec.

Ileyas Mogeh, 3rd Year Politics

How are you feeling about the election?

I want to see a visible, relevant and popping Union!!Most students hardly know anything about LUU and exactly what the Exec does. That’s why I want to see Inductions for Students from 1st year and lit debates with MPs, councillors, societies, you name it.

What’s the biggest change you want to make?

How many Fresh Princes of Union Affairs has LUU had? I want to make the Union so lit! Where the barber and hair shops at in the Union? It’s too long trekking all around Leeds to get to what you want. Fruity is popping yeah and to SHUT IT down I want an alternative Grime/Hip-Hop night alongside Fruity. I am the only candidate who can make the Union fully lit and you know you want that so say just vote #YAS4ILEYAS.

What makes you different to any of the other candidates?

Who doesn’t want this fully lit Union I am talking about? Cash Me Ousside, How bow dat? I have a FRESH vision for LUU. I will get a bigger grant from the University to fund LUU. That means cheaper everything, societies, Essentials, Terrace, you name it. That means better paying part time jobs at LUU. But, the University will not give more money to LUU if students don’t even care about it. That’s why you should vote YAS for an LUU that does more to reach out to its students!

Is there anything else you want people to know about you or your policies?

My policies are hella FRESH and unique, that’s why you need a Fresh Prince of Union Affairs. Check out my campaign vid on my Facebook for more Freshness!

Charley Weldrick, 2nd Year Politics and Philosophy

 

How are you feeling about the election?

I’m really enjoying it! Throughout my life I’ve been involved in politics, organising protests and engaging in public debate, but my political work became second to my musical work over the past year or so and this has given me a great opportunity to get back in touch with old links, restarting conversations with a variety of parties and trade unions. Students are powerful, and we’re all aiming for the same things so we can leave party lines behind.

What’s the biggest change you want to make?

The biggest change I want to make is to bring students back to the forefront of radical change. This will be specific to Leeds in that I plan on using the student body to protest, occupy and walk-out during upcoming funding negotiations with the uni because it earns millions in profit, and pay the VC hundreds of thousands whilst we only get a pittance! Alongside this, a lot of my focus will be on a national level. We’ve had a raw deal recently and it seems to be getting worse: grants have been taken away, tuition fees looking to go up through TEF, May is turning Britain into a tax haven and we need to make sure we present a united front against international difficulties.

Politics is no longer abstract; issues affect our students. It’s time to do something.

What makes you different to any of the other candidates?

For me, this is more than just a few lines on a CV. I am looking to create real political change, as I always have, and in this position, I have more power to do so than ever before. Facilitating improvements in accessibility, creating a smoother transition for international students, defending the LGBTQ+ community during the current mental health crisis and making sure Leeds has access to PrEP as soon as possible are amongst the things that all candidates agree on.

What differentiates us is my wealth of experience and my real, burning passion for making our society one that works for everyone. Students have done it before and we’ll do it again.

Why should people vote for you?

We need strong political leadership. In my capacity as President of the Debate Society, I have links with other universities all across the country which will make it much easier to coordinate efforts. I have links with venues and musicians all across the country who love to play protests and offer their spaces to us. Together, with the students here at Leeds, we can oppose Theresa May’s rapid selling out of Britain to further her own narrow interests, we can oppose Trump’s hatred and, frankly, his fascism.

It’s time for students to step up, I’ll make sure that we do.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you or your policies?

Check out Weldrick 4 Union Affairs! It has information about me and my policies. I’m going to make sure we achieve our goals, but equally I’m going to make sure I consider each student individually too. Be it specific learning needs or specific training that you want, my new volunteer roles and my new workshops will make sure you get the most out of your Leeds experience. Vote Weldrick!

Jack Palmer, Current Union Affairs Officer at LUU

How are you feeling about the election?
I’ve been out all week campaigning as hard as I can; going to lecture shout-outs, chatting to people over lunch and knocking on doors at halls in the evenings. It’s a little familiar doing all this for the second time but it doesn’t make it all any less wearing. People have been really kind and interested and the other candidates have been great, so I’m just trying to focus on what I’m doing and enjoy myself!
What’s the biggest change you want to make?
One of the reasons I wanted to re-run is the opportunity next year to get the University’s yearly block grant to LUU increased to match the growing demands of students on its services and our growing ambition to be the best students’ union in the country. Of the £293m which made up the University’s income from tuition fees and education contracts last academic year, the University’s block grant for LUU is less than 1% of that figure. What I’ve been asking people is does LUU represent 1% of your experience at Leeds? It certainly doesn’t for me.

What makes you different to other candidates?
I think it’s got to be that I’m the potential second year officer; since I began the role in July I think I’ve learned a lot about LUU, the University and life as a member of the exec. I feel that if I were elected I could keep going straight away with the projects I’ve started this year such as amplifying student voice and making our representation more inclusive, working on or cost of living campaign for our members and students staff and making LUU a building fit for all of its membership.

Why should people vote for you?
I’ve been in this job for just over six months and I’ve completely loved it, I’ve gained a lot of experience so far and I really want to use it going into next year. Anybody who’s met me will hopefully tell you that I love the union and am passionate about what I do here, and having the chance to carry on doing it in what is going to be an important year for LUU would be amazing.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you and your policies?
I think what I’m still campaigning on this year is similar to when I ran last year, but more defined. Where before I was addressing issues, I feel like I know more solutions and I’m always willing to learn from others to make the Union a better organisation for its members. I really hope the lovely people of Leeds University will give me the chance to stay a little longer and make some positive changes for students.