OUSU Election Gossip

Spotted: Baskerville in sit-in protest

2009-01-24T11:54:00.003Z

So it appears our future great leader of OUSU simply can't leave politics alone and was part of the student lockdown in the Bodleian.

Great work Stefan, I'm sure you're going to have a fantastic time negotiating with University authorities next year, as well as having alienated a good proportion of the university population.

I can't wait for next year,

xoxo

Morcos makes his move...

2009-01-21T12:36:00.003Z

Well, well, well. Some things you don't forsee, and this certainly took me by surprise.

A little birdie has told me, boys and girls, that Peter "respect my human rights" Morcos has decided to join in the OUSU Presidential race, and has convinced Jake "sorry I spelt your name wrong" Leeper to run as his VP (C&C). Good move Jake, you never really stood a chance for President anyway...

But all this brings so many unanswered questions. Will Iwu run Morcos' campaign? Can Morcos make the transition from campaign manager to candidate? Who else is going to run? Don't forget to e-mail in any more goss.

You know you love me. xo xo

Fumblings under the mistletoe

2009-01-13T01:19:00.008Z

Hello my beauties. I hope you didn't miss me. After all the excitement of last term I had to spend a long time in sunnier climes sipping cocktails, far from the internet and Krishna Omkar's Facebook notes.

Just as well I came back in time for noughth week. A handful of JCR presidents and various nobodies have been busily plotting away in anticipation of November's election.

The big news is that Paul Dwyer, currently VP (AcAff), wants to rule the roost. Only problem is that the rules say that current sabs can't run for President (ask a gimp, they'll explain). Expect a rule change motion soon.

Also keen to be the big boss is LMH's JCR President, Sourav Choudhury. Many years of Union hackery have won him the support of Luke 'FAIL' Tryl and Anna C* Williams.

But Choudhury's JCR VP, Jake Leper, who didn't even make it on to Seccie's, is throwing his hat into the ring too. The insubordinate little brat. Leper wants the St Peter's JCR pres, Sanjay, to be his AcAff. Go for it, Sanjay - if you want to lose. Although this lot do have the backing of Lewis 'I have a dream too' Iwu.

And can you believe it, despite the credit crunch even more people want this poorly paid job. Like Laurence Mills, Magdalen JCR pres, who also wants to take up the illustrious throne once held by such characters as Alan Strickland, Martin McCluskey and other prospective Labour parliamentary candidates. Laurence's got the backing of Baskermate too after hacking for him with Jessica Jones. Unofficially. Of course. Univ JCR President Alex Bulfin is going to be his AcAff.

Lots of fine men fighting over my vote. I am a lucky girl.

But who am I? That's one secret I'll never tell, even in a Facebook chat to Krishna.

xoxo

* what is the C? Answers on a postcard.

Baskerslate victory

2008-11-27T22:11:00.000Z

Stefan Baskerville has won the OUSU Presidency. Congratulations to him.

Given Maher had 57 activists in comparison to Baskerville's 228, being within a couple of hundred votes was a valient effort by the American.

It has been fun these last few weeks. I hope you've been kept entertained. I certainly have.

xoxo

OUSU codes. People are still without them.

2008-11-27T12:34:00.005Z

I've just been emailed by a voter claiming that they have still not received their voter code. Word on the street is that there are still many more who are having to email the RO for codes this morning. Is this really the case? If so how on earth can OUSU be so useless?

But in the mean time, who will win tonight? My money is on Baskerville or Maher, though it's far too close to call...

xoxo

Still no codes...

2008-11-26T21:49:00.000Z

Some people have been ever so kind and e-mailed me to tell me they still didn't have their voter codes around 3pm this afternoon and are having to e-mail the RO. I'm not sure if this has been resolved yet but I see it as being unlikely.

I'd be prepared to wager that some people still won't get their codes before 6pm tomorrow. Rerun fun all round... maybe good ol' Jonny M will run for President this time? :)

xoxo

OUSU Elections Committee. What a joke.

2008-11-25T23:06:00.004Z

So most of the day members of the OUSU Elections committee were seen parading leisurely around Oxford ripping illegal posters down and fining students (I always thought that OUSU was meant to help students. Hmm.)

But why weren't they trying to fix the voter code problem? Where on earth does OUSU's RO priorities like? OUSU Gossip has always been a fan of OUSU but this has just been a joke and a disgrace.

Given RO Maddy's letter of the law approach, the constitution clearly dictates that the election must take place over 72 hours. It has not. It seems it will not. People are still reporting they have not received codes. Surely there is no other result than the election to be declared null and void? Surely Baskerville, Maher and Tryl will appeal at the end of the election otherwise?

How on earth was this "cool, new, modern OUSU, let's turn people out online" system not tested? Heads must roll...

xoxo

OUSWho?

2008-11-25T10:19:00.004Z

Despite repeated assurances that online voting would work, it doesn't. Most students are yet to receive their voter codes this morning even with the extra week to "tweak the system"

Can Maddy save this from turning into an utter debacle? Only time wil tell...

xoxo

ps. stay indoors if you want to avoid the three day hackathon.

Alternative hustings??

2008-11-22T21:43:00.000Z

Unfortunately a prior engagement precluded me from going to the Alternative Hustings.

So can anyone tell me, was it a success? Was it a failure? Email in, I want to know all the deets!

xoxo

Hackdaq: Baskerslate -5%

2008-11-20T12:41:00.005Z

It's funny. I gather some people on Elections Committee think I'm biased even most of them know me well. But how can I be biased when reporting fact? Last night, Maddy fined Stefan 'Pinocchio' Baskerville a further 5% of his budget after he "disseminated a misleading statement" (in English, that's lying) at a recent hustings.

When answering the question "how many posters have you put up of the members of your slate?" Baskermate answered "very few" when it appears the correct answer was none. Baskermate's feeble excuse for lying was that he claims not to have been told by his campaign team. Maddy rejected his dubious contention with great gusto:

"Mr Baskerville is responsible for his agents’ behaviour. ... it [the rule] does imply that candidates are responsible for whatever agents do, whether or not the candidates know about it. Therefore the contention that you didn’t know what your agent was doing should never be an excuse."

The delicious irony is that the answer of "very few" is now even more likely to be true.

Hackdaq's view: sell Baskerville, buy Medland (if you don't know what Medland's running for it is probably because he does not have any posters up. Or maybe he just has "very few"...)

Not long now till the OUSU-Union hack-a-thon...

xoxo

Team America: a joke?

2008-11-19T11:13:00.003Z

At this point in a campaign, most people would be trying to work out how to win an election or talk about "da isshues." But not Team America...

What on earth are they thinking?

xoxo

Camp Tryl: Slate party tonight!

2008-11-18T20:43:00.001Z

Luke Tryl is hosting his non-slate slate party at Baby Love tonight complete with laptops so you can all go vote in return for free drink.

But oh wait. The election has been delayed by a week. Shame the booking will go to waste, you know all know how much I love to party...

xoxo

Team America: yet another signing

2008-11-17T22:32:00.005Z

(left Baskerville lookalike, right Powell-Chandler)

It would appear that over the weekend Team America have made yet another JCR Presidential signing this week for their campaign team as air-head socialite Meg Powell-Chandler or CCC turned up to support Maher at the WomCam husts this evening.

But even with this extra signing, will it really be enough to topple the Baskerslate, mate machine who are now more than 70 ahead in the great Facebook race?

Who knows what this extra week will bring... Guess you'll have to stay tuned boys and girls.

xoxo

The Cherwell comes out...

2008-11-14T22:11:00.008Z

Oh my, my fellow election lovers, it really is up in the air now. Just weeks ago, Baskermate had it in the bag. But will a front page endorsement from The Cherwell change everything?

It is true that Baskermate has done the best job of getting his name out there with voters. I mean after all, his slate have only put up posters of their great leader. But if students really wanted an exhibitionist, they'd pick the chap who invited Griffin, Irving and Hitler for coffee and cake. After all, we hear that Griffin himself endorsed Camp Tryl, only for newspaper censors to delete it.

But has Team America been too laid back? Luckily for them, Maddy has delayed the election by a week, thanks to a screw up by Trinity Mirror, printers of the OxStu...

... so OUSU Gossip thinks it's still anyone's game. Maybe OUSU Gossip fave Jonny Medland might decide to get in the game? The Baskerslate, ma are believed to be incenced with the decision, with one of their campaign agents reportedly calling the debacle a "sham" and "conspiracy." Come on boys, no need to start making excuses too early...

In any case, well-aimed posters and a lot of hackery will win this election. And right now, the election is too close to call.

Surprisingly, the somewhat-parasitic Rupop was first to post the news that the election is being delayed for a week (link). Maybe if they spent more time writing stories instead of stealing them, they'd share my popularity. Oh, and by the way, thanks to the tipster for providing more details about the fuckup. Your e-mails are always very much appreciated.

And who am I? That's a secret I'll never tell. It was good to see you all at the far-too-long central hust today. You know you love me... xoxo

Hackdaq: Baskerslate -15%

2008-11-12T21:26:00.002Z

It would appear that Stefan "Steve" Baskserville's "let's talk about me me me and a bit about America" OxStu seriously angered Maddy and JT, and they have fined the Baskerslate, mate (or is it now Baskerslate, ma?) 15% of its total budget.

Already strapped for cash (has anyone even seen a Medland/Wall/any of the people who are "supporting Stefan" poster??) is this putting another nail into the coffin of Baskerville's campaign?

And what must dear old Jonny Medland be thinking? Is Baskerville turning out to be the "Sarah Palin" choice?

(background Jonny Medland, foreground Stefan Baskerville)

xoxo

Team America: Teflon Tan on board

2008-11-11T17:44:00.004Z

It would appear Team America have signed up David Tan, one of President Iwu's campaign managers, to help with their campaign... whilst the facebook group photo is awfully sweet, OUSU Gossip thought to provide you, my lovlies, with a more accurate pictorial representation...

xoxo

The debates...

2008-11-10T19:06:00.004Z

The first OUSU Presidential debates kicked off tonight at Univ, mate. Here's OUSU Gossip's take...

Stefan Baskerville: 4/10
On home turf, the self-absorbed leader of the Baskerslate mate was pretty shocking, demonstrating exactly why Jonny Medland really should be in charge. Patronising and poorly delivered, Baskerville looked like John McCain as he furiously scribbled whilst the other candidates answered.

John Maher: 7/10
A good performance, opening speech impressive. The potential for Team America's Maher accent to tank spectacularly didn't occur, JM's answers were generally very sound, but a touch weak on a (planted?) Academic Affairs question. Very composed.

Luke Tryl: 7/10
Like JM, a good performance. Did his best to overcome a clearly hostile crowd, and was clearly clued up on all the issues facing the electorate. Doubtless well prepared by James Dray, credit should nevertheless go to Tryl and his camp for preparing well.

Chairman Simpson failed to attend.

OUSU Gossip never thought she'd say this but will it be Baskerville who gets eliminated first..?

xoxo

even Kat Wall thinks it:

The Camp Tryl manifesto: LOL

2008-11-10T16:24:00.004Z

OUSU Gossip has finally had the chance to read the Camp Tryl manifesto in detail and simply can't stop laughing at the pathetic lies within...

Endorsements?

"I’ve also abandoned the practice of seeking so-called “endorsements” which have led to the polarization of OUSU into cliquish factions, something which shouldn’t be happening."

Maybe this is because Tryl can't get a single JCR Presidents on side apart from failed Union hack Choudhury? And didn't Tryl endorse President Iwu last year and make sure it was mentioned on his posters?

Good at finance?

"The society’s annual turnover is around £900,000 - more than 18 times the budget of the largest JCR in Oxford and almost three times the annual budget of OUSU."

Now OUSU Gossip isn't the biggest fan of Bloodsports Holehouse, but wasn't Tryl in charge of this financial debacle when he backstabbed his once great partner in hacking Charlotte Fischer? http://www.oxfordstudent.com/print/news.pdf

xoxo

Red and blue... it's Team America

2008-11-09T07:55:00.002Z

Hmmm... it appears that Team America's John ~~Kerry~~ Maher can't make up his mind on most things... not least his shirt colour. OUSU Gossip gathers that derision at red-shirt-on-purple-background led to this last minute photoshopping. Well, at least both colours are patriotic to his native land.

xoxo

The Baskerslate... how sweet

2008-11-08T21:53:00.003Z

(left OUSU Presidential Candidate, right OUSU VP(AcAff) Candidate)

But which one is really running for OUSU President? And which one would you rather? I know which one I'd prefer... ;)

xoxo

The websites...

2008-11-08T16:31:00.010Z

So, here are the Presidential candidates official websites for your delectation...

Baskerslate, mate: http://www.supportstefan.com

Camp Tryl: http://www.tryl08.com

Team America: http://www.johnmaherforousu.com

Just how much money has been put into Team America's campaign..??

xoxo

The great Facebook race...

2008-11-07T19:25:00.005Z

The great Facebook race has begun...

Baskerslate, mate: ~~162~~ ~~190~~ 237
Camp Tryl: 56 96 128
Chairman Simpson: n/a
Team America: ~~181~~ ~~201~~ 227

xoxo

Fourplay

2008-11-06T15:51:00.005Z

So here we are at close of nominations and OUSU Gossip can reveal the final foursome. With Camp Tryl ripping off President Iwu's manifesto (badly), Baskerslate, mate drop-shadowing everything he possibly could, and Team America going for a ouch-my-eyes clash shirt-poster combination for John ~~Kerry~~ Maher.

But I wonder what Baskerville must be thinking, having been outendorsed by Maher (38-30). Is this the beginning of an unlikely upset? And how on earth did Team America get so many JCR-MCR Presidents on side?

Today also saw the introduction of this year's joke candidate [I don't mean Tryl] but Aidan Simpson. Ah, how I miss Superdean.

You know you love me...

xoxo

p.s. OUSU Gossip really feels that Sourav Choudhury (LMH JCR President, no less) should apologise profusely to Jessica Jones and stop linking to his blog on this site. Gossip is fun and dandy but OUSU Gossip rules - Maddy would be impressed - that being outright rude is simply out of order.

It appears I have a fan..

2008-11-05T16:51:00.004Z

OUSU Gossip isn't one to brag but it appears I have a fan. No, I refer not to the mindless OxStu and Cherwell hacks who are either too incompetent or partisan to find and report OUSU Election news themselves, but an Oxford news website called Rupop.

But who is this Rupop? Why was it setup? Send me all the deets...

xoxo

The Others

2008-11-04T03:18:00.008Z

Well well, I gather the rest of the OUSU election candidates have been feeling a little left out. So here is OUSU Gossip's lowdown on the other candidates for this year's fun and games...

VP(Access and Academic Affairs):
Jonny Medland - Baskerslate, mate. Former OULD President (don't we all make mistakes?) but OUSU Gossip really has quite a soft spot for JM. If only he'd run for OUSU President: he'd certainly make an infinitely better candidate than the person on the top of his ticket...

VP (Charities and Community):
Eorann Lean - Team America. Anyone know how to prounouncer her name? Anyone actually know who she is? A Google search produces an article named "Watering the Seed". Also appears to be from St. Hugh's...

VP (Graduates):
Alex Priest - Union B team. Backing up Camp Tryl's attempt for the Union's attempt at a hostile takeover of OUSU has Dan Johnson by his side. Has probably been at Oxford for more years than I've been alive...

VP(Welfare and Equal Opps):
Alanna Barber- Baskerslate, mate (at least unofficially). Butterface Barber is sure to bring the Hildabeasts and LGBTQ brigade with her in their masses. Apparently gets seasick on punts...

Dani Quinn (or is it Karlin?) - Team America. The slightly crazy Irish bundle of welfare flufiness from work-hard-no-life Merton will surely be a vote winner...

VP (Women):
Sam Gisborne - Single. Don't Hilda's JCR Presidents ever learn? Following in the great footsteps of her predecessor and try and win an OUSU Election...

Kat Wall - Baskerslate, mate. Another former OULD nutjob who is undoubtedly qualified for a job which frankly shouldn't even exist. Lost to a chain smoking drunk at when she ran for JCR President...

and VP(Gossip):
... that's a secret I'll never tell.

Sleep tight kiddies, xoxo

The Rival

2008-11-03T13:50:00.008Z

So, it appears I have a rival. But did Basker-blog think I would go down without a fight? There's nothing OUSU Gossip likes more than a good cat fight. And this could be a classic.

Rest assured my lovelies, I'll always have the latest OUSU Election gossip here for you first...

xoxo

Holehouse and Baskerville sitting in a tree...

2008-11-01T13:44:00.009Z

OUSU Gossip is an avid reader of the Librarian and Evelyn. But perhaps this week's Librarian went a step too far?

With Oxstu's Matthew Holehouse being as left-wing as Stalin, it would appear that he and his "mate" Stefan Baskerville are determined to defame the Tryl campaign as much as possible before the upcoming OUSU elections. After all, wouldn't it be more interesting to report that Tryl was in a slate meeting during OUSU Council yesterday than repeating he worked for Shell?

But in any event, so much for Baskerville claiming to be running a "clean" campaign... In fact, has Baskerville (Alleyn's Old Boy, school fees £11481 p.a.) actually achieved anything in life apart from pretending he's got da' ghetto points?

Now now boys and girls. Let's play nice.

xoxo

Discord inTeam America

2008-11-01T11:18:00.002Z

So it appears all is not as hunky-dory with Team America as appearances after Council would suggest. A little birdie tells me Peter Morcos and Ben Pilgrim were having a heated argument in Somerville last night about the state of readiness of Maher's campaign.

Having said that, it's not the first time we've heard that America's state of readiness was lacking. Maybe they'll resort to Camp Tryl tactics and invite Sadam Hussein over for coffee and cake instead.

xoxo

Council Coup

2008-10-31T16:42:00.005Z

Well, well, well, that was a fun Council wasn't it? By 36-22 votes, Team America pulled off a coup to get more open debates by outgimping OUSU Council. After slamming Luke Tryl's initial informal debate suggestion in the press a mere fortnight ago, John Maher-Quinn-Morcos-Pilgrim proposed a motion calling for a more open debate format and passed it in time for this year's elections.

Oddly enough Stefan Baskerville didn't say a word (if only that happened more often) instead using his little Univ proxies, along with Joel Mullan and Adam Smith to do his bidding. But the best part? Luke Tryl didn't even show up, demonstrating his commitment, as ever, to OUSU. Maybe he was too busy getting frisky with a certain Cherwell editor?

As ever, it was lovely seeing you all today once again. But all I wonder is who will be pulling off next week's stunt. No matter what, you'll hear it here first...

xoxo

Spotted: Morcos and Tan

2008-10-31T02:34:00.006Z

The plot thickens: Maher's slate manager Pete Morcos and ex-LMH JCR President David Tan spotted together in Lincoln Bar on Thursday night.

Were they just watching the North London derby? Or is Tan, one of Iwu's campaign team last year, joining Team America?

OUSU Council fun tomorrow. I bet you're all very excited. See you there...

xoxo

Oxford's best dressed man

2008-10-30T00:39:00.010Z

My my my... isn't Baskerville doing well? After getting the Mullan seal of approval (and with it the rest of Oxford's disapproval), it turns out that Krishna Omkar - Oxford's best-dressed man - will also be becoming his agent for the election.

Omkar's motives are somewhat easy to guess after Tryl turned on him during the Union election debacle. Gay slap fest? I'm so very excited.

xoxo

Joel Mullan pulls out

2008-10-29T12:47:00.004Z

Now my lovlies, you may think this is going to be a post about Joel Mullan teaching sex ed. Sadly not. The one man stand of Joel Mullan has pulled out of the race to be OUSU President - before it even begun.

Rumour has it that he has endorsed Baskerville's campaign claiming that "Stefan shares my vision for OUSU." One would presume that means full of political hacks and rules gimps. Wayhey.

But the question remains, does Baskerville really want to burdened with Joel Mullan's OULC tag? After all, it's painfully evident just how much it helped Olivia Bailey last year.

It's been a slow week so far after the last fortnight's fun and games. Is there more excitement to come this week? You'll have to check back...

xoxo

Election gets global coverage

2008-10-24T16:40:00.002+01:00

Both Stefan Baskerville and Luke Tryl have been quietly bricking themselves this week after Cherwell hack Henry Clarke-Price got in touch (rarely a good sign).

Apparently, the journo got his grimy mitts on a strategy document from Baskerville's campaign that is less than complimentary about Tryl. Obviously such a story getting out doesn't help either of them - Stefan looks bitchy and Luke effectively gets called names.

Two questions have to be asked. One, why didn't we hear a squeak about this story in the student press. Two, how the hell is Clarke-Price doing this from Barcelona, where he's doing his year abroad?

xoxo

Camp Tryl in turmoil

2008-10-22T00:05:00.006+01:00

A little birdie tells me that Luke Tryl's campaign manager Sourav Choudhury is in hot water after sending confidential academic affair casework around preslist - a mailing list which JCR Presidents use to feel self-important and boost their egos - without consulting with the student concerned first. Cripes.

Clearly Team Oxford Union has a bit to learn about actual student issues. It might well be fun getting sloshed on Thursday nights at Pressie drinks but life in the real word is just a little different.

xoxo

Spotted: Sarfo-Annin and Maher

2008-10-21T21:17:00.004+01:00

Spotted: Jason Sarfo-Annin and John Maher meeting for ice cream at G&Ds in Cowley Road.

Is the architect of Iwu's 2007 victory about to sign up to Team America? Or is JS-A too busy saving lives in a hospital?

Exciting times lie ahead. xoxo

Ahoy me hearties

2008-10-20T19:27:00.001+01:00

Can Cali surfer boy Maher breach OUSU's hull? Only you can decide.

xoxo

The real people with power

2008-10-18T16:09:00.002+01:00

Boys and girls, now that I've brought you who's running for President of the insipid institution of OUSU, it's now time to look at the real people with power.

Stefan Baskerville: Chris Taylor but really it's Jonny Medland. See right hand image.
Analysis: 'Safe' bet. Taylor knows OUSU but given Medland's a smart guy, it's difficult to understand why he's backing Stefan.

John Maher: Ben Pilgrim and Pete Morcos
Analysis: Pilgrim is the only one who has a posher education than Baskerville whilst Morcos is a quiet unknown quantity.

Joel Mullan: Joel Mullan
Analysis: No mates Joel is going solo. The OULC endorsment is such a poisoned chalice that even he doesn't want it. Might do better than people think though.

Luke Tryl: Sourav Choudhury and Stuart Cullen
Analysis: Union hack A-team. Choudhury and Cullen probably make the fakest team out there. If you show an interest in voting for Luke, I'm sure they'll get you into Pressie drinks.

More news soon. xoxo

Maddy makes her mark

2008-10-17T21:10:00.001+01:00

We all know that Council is a fucking boring four-hour session of rules gimpery, so here are Returning Officer Maddy's rulings in short:

- Luke Tryl's attempt to seize the initiative with Obama/McCain-style televised debate extravaganza was shot down in flames. No surprise there.
- No Facebook/website campaigning until close of nominations

Oh what OUSU fun. xoxo

Election 2008: Who's running and why

2008-10-15T19:45:00.001+01:00

Stefan Baskerville

Lib Dem

Best known for: pretending he's ghetto even though he went to an expensive posh London day school.

Running because: mate, he wants to be a Socialist Party MP, for extra ghetto points.

John Maher

American Democrat

Best known for: telling Keble governing body that it might have been one of the SCR who defaced a sign in the college.

Running because: Americans will take over anything.

Joel Mullan

Labour

Best kn-kn-kn-known for: being part of Olivia Bailey's election winning campaign team.

Running because: he's a sadomasochist.

Luke Tryl

Conservative

Best known for: inviting fascists for tea while President of the Oxford Union.

Running because: he wants to further his career prospects (probably a Tory MP.)

And who am I? That's a secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. xoxo