TO THE credit of UCLU, the Big Vote passed with a high turnout, the online voting system appears to have been a success and over 1500 people voted in total. As usual, the problems lay with the candidates…
Tarnished
It isn’t easy to place faith in a candidate who doesn’t believe in himself, but that’s exactly what Dominic Tarn asked the members of the Union to do when his campaign for Finance & Administration Officer began. Tarn, who ran unopposed, managed to rubbish his own policies at the Question and Answer ses Dominic Tarn, F&A Elect sion that replaced hustings this year. He happily trumpeted his policy goals, including a promise that he would negotiate with College in order to get a carbon study carried out. Unfortunately, when asked a question on his aims only seconds later, Tarn muttered an excuse about College being difficult to deal with, before admitting that “My carbon study, for example, will probably never happen.” Great.
Uncertainty isn’t the only reason voters should have been wary of Tarn; as F&A elect, Dominic, having previously been treasurer for the Film and TV Society, will have a pivotal role in organising the Union’s finances. He may have made much of his past experience, but what Tarn didn’t mention was just how he had made use of society money. Several disgruntled Film and TV members told The Cheese Grater era worth around £300 and had charged it to society accounts; nothing wrong with purchasing new equipment for society use… except that no one has been able to use it: “It was like he’d bought it for himself.” Since the elections started, the camera has suddenly become available again. Despite the dodgy nature of this transaction, at least Film and TV have reason to use a camera. Quite exactly what Tarn expected members to do with a selection of suits in his size is another matter. Earlier this year, the esteemed financier was to host his own interview show for the society and according to our source “He was keen to buy some suits and charge them back to society accounts.” Thankfully, Tarn never bothered to follow this one through. Tellingly, Tarn’s campaign posters depicted him as Tony Montana of Scarface fame; Montana was of course notorious for being a crook, thug and generally nasty piece of work. As Scarface himself said “Make way for the bad guy. There’s a bad guy comin’ through!”
Andy Pandy
It’s second time lucky for Primal ‘Andy’ Fernando; but why did Fernando campaign as Andy this year and Primal last time? Google ‘Primal Fernando’ alongside UCLU and you’ll see the words ‘failed Education and Welfare candidate’ and several links about the disciplinary he faced for questionable campaigning practices. However, search for ‘Andy Fernando’ and a clean slate… voila!
Media and wot?
It’s just as well Media and Communications candidate, Jon Masterson didn’t get elected, he couldn’t tell his arse from his elbow. Masterson turned the tables at Questions and Answers by asking those present the finer details of his job description “Is [M&C] editor of Pi too? I heard a rumour.”