With perhaps the most radical Welfare agenda, Lewis Haines comes to the election with a focus on improving Nightline services and creating a more proactive dynamic for the Welfare team.
Haines, National Nightline Committee Representative for the North, whose other experience includes over 900 hours of Nightline listening and creating innovative new programmes for the organisation, such as the instant messaging service, brings unique experience to the role away from the confines of traditional college student politics and instead derived from actual frontline student welfare experience.
He has criticised the current “lazy” methods of promoting Welfare events, stressing the requirement for further publicity to stress issues, stating in his manifesto that “housing, mental and sexual health, alcohol and other issues are too important to be let down by poor publicity.”
Much of his manifesto is centered around a new campaigning approach, though he also wants to work with Part-Time Liberation Officers (LGBT, Woman’s, Disability and Racial Equality) to ensure “training in leadership, listening and teambuilding, allowing officers to lead, support and represent their demographics”.
However, the lack of many specific policies – despite an impressive list of achievements – might be a hindrance.
Tipster’s Odds: 6/1
Haines focus on, and extensive direct experience with, Nightline makes him standout from the crowd. Yet despite his solid policies, he may struggle to tackle Bob Hughes’ name recognition and popularity around campus. He may, however, get a boost from the typically loyal voters of his college, Halifax.
Haines has got my vote.
Somebody who’s actually spent time and effort (seriously 900 hours?) actively trying to make a difference with Nightline has got to know something of about what student welfare needs.