Current Student Activities Officer Rhianna Kinchin has sparked controversy by speaking out against candidate Nick Scarlett’s “disappointing” election policies. News of the sabb’s comments led to Scarlett’s Campaign Manager, Tom Flynn, antogonisticly confronting her publicly in McQs after Thursday’s Presidential Debate.
Kinchin said she was “confused” and “worried” by one or two of Scarlett’s policies arguing that his policies resemble some of those from last year, such as his promises to move society administration online. Kinchin has already moved the vast majority of this admin onto the internet and thus describes his policies as “deceptive”.
If elected, Scarlett would take over from Kinchin’s position at the end of this academic year.
Speaking to Vision, Scarlett admitted that the wording on his campaign “towers” regarding certain issues was misleading. In reference to society online administration, he said, “It should’ve said ‘make available’ instead of ‘move’.” However, he emphasised at hustings that he seeks to add further administration online, including society transport bookings and finances, which isn’t yet there.
Furthermore, Kinchin pointed out that the Kids’ Camp situation wasn’t as black and white as Scarlett’s campaign may suggest, and that the wording of the policy should perhaps have read ‘safeguard’ rather than “save”. Scarlett has since edited the wording of his policy on his Facebook campaign group.
Kinchin also spoke against his promise of a summer opportunities fair, as the careers service is already holding one next term in Week 5 as part of ‘We Are Golden’. Scarlett responded to this by claiming he seeks to bring all the different fairs together under one roof.
“I feel that these policies might be seen as vote winners but they’re not researched. He didn’t talk to me about any of these policies,” says Kinchin, to which Scarlett replies “Rhianna’s claim that these policies are unresearched is also very suprising. I’ve spoken to her about them on many occasions this year.”
Having said this, Kinchin praised Scarlett’s innovative RAG policies, which are unique to his campaign. These policies would allow for greater college involvement in RAG raids ‘across the North’ rather than solely in York, as well as changing the shape of RAG Week with a college-based relay race to kick it off.
As one of the few sabbs open to discussing the elections, Kinchin stressed that “personality wise, the candidates are all really strong. All are good on enthusiasm and experience.”
Furthermore, she emphasised the importance of policy, saying that if students want to see YUSU make a difference next year, they should consider voting for the most “tangible and realistic” policies.