I was emerging from the library when I saw an odd sight.
I had just been pondering over a rather ridiculous thought. Having just finished the first draft of an essay on the 1956 Suez Crisis, which saw an Anglo-French amphibious force attempt to seize the Suez Canal, I wondered why it was the British Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, and the Egyptian President, Gamal Abdel Nasser, did not get along. Yes, Eden thought Nasser was a modern day Mussolini. But Eden and Nasser both had a moustache, so they had something in common. Then I thought, well Chamberlain and Hitler had moustaches as well, yet they were certainly not friends. Do moustaches prevent peaceful diplomatic relations? Was this the secret to Thatcher’s and Reagan’s special relationship?
Just then, my ludicrous train of thought on the dangers of facial hair in international relations was interrupted by an actual train. Well, not an actual train. Rather an individual draped in a Thomas the Tank Engine costume. Apparently he was soliciting votes for the upcoming LSE Student Union election.
It certainly grabbed my attention. Candidates are proving ingenious in the way they chose to bring our attention to their cause. One implicitly compares himself to James Bond in his campaign poster. Dressed in a sharp suit, he is seen casually leaning against an Aston Martin DB5 in front of the Old Building. It is amazing what can be done with a bit of time and Photoshop.
This is in marked contrast to the campaign I have decided to join: Kabu Senapitak for International Student Officer and Chris Cai for Democracy Committee. I thought it better to disclose this in the spirit of fair play. There’s is a campaign which focuses on policy driven reform.
This begs the question of whether we are really voting for ideas or personas. How can a candidate differentiate themselves? Is it policy or personality? By using James Bond or treasury bonds?
I leave this up to you.
Ironically it matters little to Master’s student such as me. We are only here for a 12 month programme. In effect, our vote will determine the team which will be responsible for next year’s Master’s students, when we will be alumni. This is interesting because it narrows down our interests to just one key issue: keep LSE good and strong. All we want is for our degree’s worth to be maximized. So technically, as long as the Student Union does not bankrupt, burn down, or otherwise obliterate the school, we will be content.
Elections, like moustachioed Prime Minsters, are an odd thing. Yet whatever our feelings about them they should not be ignored. So do your part. Please vote.
You can vote by following this link: https://elections.lse.ac.uk/elections/voter/login
