I have now received my ballot paper... tough choices need making

If you are on the main campus or live in halls you cannot fail to notice there is an election on. Various peers will be making impressive pledges, the viability of their claims something that is open to dispute. Students will be harassed while their harassers nothing short of messianic, even by Obamamaina standards. And fundamentally, every candidate proposes Change; of the what, where, when and why of the Guild. I should not be so cynical as I was messianic once.

Being a Guild Officer is hard. I know many of the candidates and their supporters assume otherwise (and I probably did too). You are constantly balancing the expectations of a student body, attempting to meet you manifesto promises and, certainly for myself, reflecting on the organisation to try and make it better. These elements are often not in sync and as a Guild Officer you have difficult decisions, this job is literally a roller coaster.

It was always my aim after the election to do a series of blogs deconstructing the role of democracy within the Guild. As it is the first day of voting I thought I would play my cards now.

In 1790 Edmund Burke, the farther of conservatism, published his Reflections on the Revolution in France. This shaped the way many viewed the French Revolution. However, it is also a political doctrine and one from which we can learn important lessons. His text was written at the onset political turmoil in France. Burke provided a critique of Liberalism, the belief that abstract notions can inform our reality, and signalled his belief in gradual, organic change as opposed to revolutionary overhaul. He pointed out that the masses could not always be trusted and that there is value in order and tradition.

Burke would point out that as a Guild Officer (ie a representative) you are not a delegate of the people. By this you do not do simply what people ask. Your own judgment is important and sometimes representing students means you don't listen to the voices of those students who are in closest proximity. Tony Blair once said: "the hardest thing in politics is not saying yes, it's saying no" and that is an important skill for any Guild Officer to have.

So when you decide to vote, don't vote for the Officer with nice promises or who promises to listen and 'do everything that students want'. Personally I have one question: would they be brave enough to say no to you?

If the answer is yes then I think we have a winner...

With this in mind I point you to the GTV hustings of the two candidates for Vice President (Education and Access): Brigid Jones and Timm Smith!