Too many students feel like SU democracy is lukewarm at best and performative at worst. Understanding how decisions are made can be confusing, and even engaged students struggle to get clear, timely answers. Over the past year, issues like Associate Membership have left many feeling unheard and disconnected from the SU.

That’s not what a Students’ Union should be. The Union Affairs Officer should amplify student voice until it’s impossible to ignore, which is exactly what I intend to do. I bring three years of student leadership experience, a proven track record of building Cat Soc, and experience working closely with SU systems.

If elected, I will:

           1. CREATE AN OPEN, ACCESSIBLE DEMOCRACY!

• Expand routes into student democracy: drop-in FTO office hours/surgeries, online participation in meetings, and more direct canvassing beyond the usual engaged circles.
• Publish clearer “You said / We did” updates and create a dedicated Q&A format for FTO updates.
• Increase trustee visibility so students know who they are, what they do, and how to hold SU leadership to account.
  
  2. BACK SOCIETIES!
   
• Go hard on the room booking crisis by securing more bookable student spaces and protecting society access in peak weeks.
• Push for reciprocal membership where possible, after the disastrous removal of the AMS.
• Improve society support: better onboarding/mentoring for new groups, society ambassadors, a more realistic accreditation scheme, and expand access to the Activity Hardship Fund.
  
  3. FIX THE ESSENTIALS! 
   
• Clean up governance documents (SU Byelaws and Articles) to remove contradictions and ambiguity.
• Work with other FTOs to keep costs down: protect and expand £1–£2 hot meals, and push for fairer prices in Senate House/Source.
• Fight for more study spaces, especially during exam periods, and improve the booking system.