Reading week. It’s been and gone, with much happening on the election front. I’ve counted four personal election videos so far. This is traditionally unheard of at QM (if you ignore the videos shot in previous years by QMSU where the candidates look like they are being filmed at gun point). QMessenger has also published their sabbatical interviews this week, so if you want to check out some pre-approved clean as a whistle answers, it’s found in all outlets on campus. For the more honest and embarrassing answers, check out Elephant’s live blog of both hustings.
Cream pie
VIDEO #1: Katarina Nordanger (Maverick), candidate for VP Welfare, video has several close ups talking about policies before the pie to the face. Reminiscent of a 'Dom Dares' campaign, if this is her opening salvo, I'm excited to see what else she's got planned.
Book worm
James Grant (Maverick), candidate for VP Education, is kind enough to remind us that he can read. Arguably a strong skill for VP Education, he doesn't actually read on camera. I think we're going to need to see some proof James.
Fluffy bunny
One thinks that Ollie Brown, candidate for President, could have only made this video more sarcastic were he wearing actual bunny ears. The entire promotion is filled with overt intonation and snarky snaps at the lack of real discussion in his opponents videos, those instead opting for Oscar-winning editing and leopard abuse. Despite this, we can't help but think an airquote-inspired dance to single-ladies could have done well for him.
Big cat
Sean Richardson, candidate for VP Welfare, and Genna King, candidate for LGBT, can be seen dry humping the sacred leopard, Mary. Richardson was quick to clarify on facebook that he would campaign so that every QM student could have their turn. Equality and all that jazz.
Looking on
Along with election videos, the posters and facebook pages (groups have died it would seem) have made their appearance in the past week. A common theme that seems to be appearing in candidate literature is the timeless looking-into-the-distance pose. Alex Zaloga, candidate for VP Welfare, even goes as far as actually standing outside and staring into the sun(set). It's so East London that you almost want to vom, except we're all hipsters at heart so this photo op could pay off.
Battleground conspiracy
Library square (AKA no man's land during elections). Open Union has launched a preliminary attack and shoved a whiteboard into any passer by. We couldn't help but notice that some of the writings look identical. You could almost infer that these poor souls didn't even know elections were on, let alone write about support for a slate.
Grassy knoll
Looks like we've got a slate full of rule breakers. To start, we've got the candidate for VP Welfare is sitting Mary the leopard, next we've got Jannat Hossain, candidate for VP Education, standing on grass that is establishing. Watch out, we've got a badass over here.
Hail Mary
Is nothing sacred? Looks like New Chapter had the same idea as Open Union. Except they went all predatory and targeted drunk people. I'd take a guess and say at 2am when they've just been kicked out of Drapers, probably isn't going to guarantee you sweeping support during daylight hours.
Losing it
The Harlem Shake 101: How to kill a meme. Get someone uncool to do it, and do it for a reason. Who better? Your student union. While an almost amicable attempt to get students involved. Result: it peaked too early and will most likely be forgotten when it comes round to voting. Even Taylor Swift and the goat will be a distant dream.