Adam Baguley
Baguley runs with a proposing Communist programme for LUSU. Largely pushing for a fight back against the bosses’ cuts, where no lecturer or single department should be cut. Baguley wishes to prevent the current financial crises present within the University, as cuts within the academic department seem threatening to our education. With such, an end to student rent is demanded. Alongside an abolishment of tuition fees, and keeping student bars open as spaces for socialisation. Many students fear the longevity of the student bars we have all known, and grown to appreciate. Some of most provoking points in Baguley’s manifesto is to keep private companies off campus, instead brining all services on site away from proclaimed capitalist ‘parasites’. Even more relevant is that Adam would call University to cut all ties with imperialism by diverting away from all arms manufacturers especially associated with the Israeli state. To ensure that all elements of democratic control of the University is by staff and students respectively. Within the candidate questions, streamed by LA1TV Baguley states that capitalism is a destructive force, and barrier to our education. With visible sights of cut pensions, and the rising cost of living the university is tied and participating within an ‘unacceptable state of affairs’. Further stating that a University should not be a profit-run institution, but one solely on the quality of education. Adam calls out a proposition where if staff and students don’t make move to fix a change, it has to be a national change to change such a big crisis.
Ben Carter
Carter lists out three clear points to be tackled within his candidate campaign, which he wishes to expand on within a presidency. The first is breaking the status Quo of LUSU, to ensure a humble, yet qualified, transparent leadership. The second is to support student efforts wholly, by amplifying the voices of students. Thirdly, to fight against the rapid increase of campus rent prices to provide affordable housing for all. Cater outlines the ways in which his manifesto can be put into action. Laregly with open meetings and reforming the union assemply to give all socieites a fair say. Similarly, by promoting active feedback channels, surveys, and forms to ensure that student voice is shaping practice and agenda within the Students’ Union. A rent freeze and further rent controls will be enacted on campus, and policies will be pushed to ensure students are comfortable with landlord disputes off-campus. Carter claims ‘I believe in collaborative leadership and delivering meaningful change’ particularly in the instance of supporting student-led movements that focus on peace and justice, to ensure the adoption of responsibly policies. As an activist and influential voice, Carter knows when and how to take actions within the general student interest.
Ollie Earnshaw
With strong experience as President of County college, and County College Football club, Earnshaw promotes a deep understanding of LUSU and claims to listen, lobby, and deliver on promises for students. Particularly advocating for the return of the free Sugarbus, affordable rents and rent freeze. Furthermore, Earnshaw claims to work alongside local MPs to apply pressure towards increases in maintenance loans. To support campus, Earnshaw wishes to ensure that colleges are listened to, rather than discarded especially within the issue of reopening social spaces to reset and rebuild student relations. Within the candidate questions, Earnshaw states that the SU typically fail to address real change, and as a president, Ollie believes he can provide such change. ‘A vote for Ollie is a vote for a union that serves, listens, and delivers for students’
Rory O’Ceallaigh
O’Ceallaigh seemingly has a strong connection and understanding of the students’ union, and will use the current times of big change regarding the curriculum transformation programme and a new Vice Chancellor to reframe the Union. Rory claims to put student needs first. With aims to control rent prices that rise inconsistently with the maintenance loans, and to protect students jobs and incomes with the closure of college bars. Furthermore, a unique yet important aim in making town a safer, more protected place with the rises of burglaries, violence, and sexual offences. O’Ceallaigh heavily states the University cannot shy away from this, but rather with lobby to apply pressure on local authorities as required for the security of students. O’Ceallaigh holds an excellent understanding on financial insights within LUSU and the University, which shows extensive issues. With Rent up by 26%, and the maintenance loan as only 10%. A vote for Rory will ensure that decisions made behind closed doors with come to an end.
You can read all their manifestos here: Candidate_Manifestos_LUSU_Elections_2025.pdf
You can watch LA1TV’s full Candidate Question livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV7ab1jV51M
Voting is open now and closes tomorrow at 6PM
Link to vote: Lancaster Students’ Union
