WHEN I ARRIVED at UCL in September 2003, I knew that I wanted to serve my community. But more than that – I wanted to take the lead in rep- resenting and defending the interests of my fellow students. I’ve always had great ambitions, and when I decided to run for first Ramsay Hall Representa- tive and later the Executive Commit- tee, I felt I had found the perfect forum to display my talents and prepare for the future political career I aspired to- wards.
But student politics is a nasty busi- ness, and from my very first Council meeting I found that those who re- mained silent and feigned friendliness to all would inevitably be the ones re- warded. And although I swore to re- main true to my idealistic goals, I con- vinced myself that real change could only be accomplished if I was actually elect- ed in the first place. And to do that re- quired certain sacrifices. I chose to stay quiet and do nothing. The end justified the means.
Like all good stories, this one in- volves a girl. My girlfriend and best friend came with me to UCL, and al- though she wasn’t political, she support- ed me every day in my quest to change the union. But the more positions I notched up on my CV, the less I ap- peared to care about meaningful poli- cies. “When I’m a Sabbatical, I can change things all at once,” I promised her. “You’re a hypocrite,” she said, and our relationship ended soon after.
It took six months and the loss of many more friends before I had a change of heart. And so in September 2004, I took up the post of E & E Of- ficer with a vengeance, and abandoned pragmatism. My colleagues found a new officer in their midst – a radical advo- cate for major reform at UCL Union. With just 10% voter turnout in the lat- est elections, and barely a quarter of all elected positions filled, our union is no longer the voice of students, and I want- ed to change that. And I wanted to fix Pi Magazine, a publication I had served for a year – because it was so unintel- lectual, so inadequate for our commu- nity. But most of all, I wanted to tell the truth at last – even if it would cost me my job as Environment & Ethics Officer.
Even if it would cost me my fu- ture as a Sabbatical Officer.
I made many enemies for the things I said and did. This undoubtedly contributed to my defeat in this elec- tion. My opponent did little campaign- ing, and lacks the policies necessary to tackle the underlying political and cul- tural problems facing our union. She did not win because of her strengths, but because of my crippling weakness- es. The forces of mediocrity combined to stop me. The Pi editor, Holly Fal- coner, was overheard telling people in the Bloomsbury Theatre to vote Al Gardner for Media & Communications Officer – and against me for E & W. My campaign materials were rejected by Elections Committee for using the word ‘mismanagement’. “It could be interpreted as a breach of Staff-Student protocol,” said Victoria Green. Never mind that I was referring to student politicians.
And so I lost the count. But in a way, I still won the election.
I have remained committed to a vision of excellence, not just at UCL Union but in every part of my life. I have told the truth, and have nothing to be ashamed about. My defeat is not an indictment of my present character. Last year I did nothing – and was able to win elections. This year, I fought for what I believed in. For that I was soundly defeated. But would I rather have might or right? If this election were to set the standard for my life, then I shall be sat- isfied. For I have provided a vision of UCL Union where cupidity and medi- ocrity have no place, and integrity and ambition always define the road ahead. And so it shall be with my life.
UCL Union is lost. But I still have everything to fight for. And most im- portantly – utterly belatedly – I hope that my ex-girlfriend will forgive me for my Machiavellian past.