By William White, News Editor
Welcome to SU election season 2025! Over the next week, Epigram’s team of election correspondents will be covering the 'ins and outs' of this busy period: the open positions, the candidates, and – critically – their manifestos, whilst keeping you up-to-date on student campaigns.
It’s easy to dismiss student politics. I know I’m not alone in doing it. In fact, the first ever line of this publication was an outright rebuke of student politicians, as Epigram's first editor-in-chief, James Landale wrote: ‘most student politicians are on power trips. That is to be the first comment of this newspaper.'
Ironically, this man went on to be a BBC diplomatic correspondent.
Thirty-six years after student politics meant fights, copies of Playboy, and this paper calling someone a 'good argument for abortion', we seem to have come a long way. Even still, Landale's words remain...kind of accurate? Because student politicians do have power.
Last year’s election was the largest in the SU’s history – in fact, one of the biggest nationwide – with over 7500 turning up to the ballot to facilitate real change. These votes created a team of SU officers who:
- Oversaw the introduction of an injury support group for student sportspeople;
- Oversaw the addition of new housing advisors;
- Lobbied for thousands of pounds worth of laundry funding;
- Fought for greater mental wellbeing support, and;
- Did amazing work to create a culture of debate and democracy.
The list of students' work is endless, or, at the very least, really bloody long.
This year's election starts today, and promises to top the last, with over 30 candidates vying for full time positions – all bringing unique visions for how we can improve the lives of Bristol students for years to come. This includes cheaper housing, improved visa support for international students, and women-only sports spaces.
Gurvin Chopra, the current Postgraduate Education Officer, says it's the best post-grad job you could ask for.
'As Officers, we have the power to ensure that student voices are heard and changes are made,' says Chopra. 'Use your vote, read the manifestos, and vote for someone who has your best interests at heart.'
I've always thought I never really cared enough to cover student politics – that it didn’t affect me, that it was dead boring stuff, reserved for busybodies and wannabe narcs. Having spent the last few months talking to the students and employees that keep the SU running, I've come to realise how much more important this is.
While we might not see the drama of Landale's day, the work these people put into making this University better has the chance to be truly exciting. More exciting, still, is your chance to have a say in it all.
Get involved, make your voice heard, go vote at: https://www.bristolsu.org.uk/elections
Who has your vote? Read the manifestos at: https://www.bristolsu.org.uk/elections
