McPherson elected EUSA president in narrow election

Fourth-year sociology student and current welfare convener Matt McPherson was elected president of Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) last week in a close race for the top sabbatical job. Seven candidates contested the position, in an election which saw over 7,000 students vote – but at around 25 per cent turnout was slightly down compared to last year.

Speaking shortly after his election, Mr McPherson told The Journal: “I think the toughest thing about this race was not only that there were seven different candidates running, but that there were divides in our student politics which were not representative of any such divides in our student body.

“We're one university, and we're one union, and I'll represent every single one of the 27,000 students here.”

Mr McPherson is joined on the 2011/12 sabbatical team by Philippa Faulkner as Vice President Services; Emma Meehan as Vice President Societies & Activities and Mike Williamson as Vice President Academic Affairs.

Mr Williamson's victory was the most successful race for the anti-cuts Defend Edinburgh slate, which won 15 out of 31 seats contested by its candidates. However, the alliance faced defeat in the tight presidential race when James McAsh lost out to Mr McPherson by a slim margin in the sixth round of voting.

Asked about his defeat, Mr McAsh said: “I really enjoyed the campaign, and I feel quite pleased that I got so many votes. I'd quite like to have won, but I don't see it as the end of the world.”

Mr McPherson and Mr McAsh clashed repeatedly during the campaign on the subject of higher education funding. The president-elect has been vocal in his support for a graduate contribution in Scotland, but Defend Edinburgh have taken a vigorous stance in favour of continued free education.

Speaking to The Journal, Mr Williamson expressed disappointment at his running mate's defeat. “I'm obviously gutted,” he said, “I've been campaigning with McAsh for a long time.”

He also suggested that the graduate contribution issue could be a sticking point for the new sabbatical officers, saying: “If anything about cutting higher education comes up, I think Matt and I are going to be at loggerheads, because I fundamentally disagree with him.”

Mr McPherson denied claims that political disagreements at the sabbatical level would impact EUSA's ability to represent students effectively. “Of course I'm concerned,” he said. “But if there are no divides and no disagreements within a sabb team, how can you actually expect good ideas to come out and progress to be made in one direction?

“We need clear leadership and clear direction, and that's not about everyone doing the same thing.”

It is expected that Defend Edinburgh will continue as a force in EUSA politics. Graham Smith, one of the slate's architects, told The Journal: "It's clear that there is a demand amongst the student body for reps that will fight for free, fair, funded higher education, and we will continue to campaign for it both inside and outside EUSA. You'll see us next year!"

Mr Smith contested the position of academic services convener, but was defeated by Hugh Murdoch.

VPSA-elect Ms Meehan, a third-year English Literature student, won by a margin of around 1000 votes over rivals Harriet Page and Anna Forrest, expressing great surprise at such a significant victory. “I definitely didn't expect that much of a win,” she said, “Harriet and Anna were both really good candidates.”

Incoming VPS Philippa Faulkner, meanwhile, was keen to defend her manifesto's achievability. The fourth year biology student told The Journal: “My manifesto was a combination of very achievable and very aspirational things. I am confident that I can deliver on a lot of the things I promised.”