Written by Neil Pooran    Monday, 12 January 2009 19:55   
Final Rector candidates announced
News

 

Firebrand politician George Galloway and Scottish journalist Iain Macwhirter have entered the race for Edinburgh University Rector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firebrand politician George Galloway and Scottish journalist Iain Macwhirter have entered the race for Edinburgh University Rector. They will take on Lothians MSP George Foulkes for the prestigious role, which will have one of the men chair the University’s court.

The news comes after the University’s Conservatives revealed they will not be running a candidate in the February elections, ending speculation that they would field TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson or former Shadow Home Secretary David Davis as a candidate.

 

Galloway's entry into the election took many observers by surprise, and it is believed he does not currently have the support of any of the University's societies or political parties.

Macwhirter, a prominent journalist known for his work in covering Scottish politics, announced his candidacy last week after Labour MSP Foulkes began his campaign before Christmas.

Editor’s note: This week’s Student print edition went to press a matter of hours before the news of Galloway’s campaign broke, and as such does not cover the candidacy of the Bethnal Green and Bow MP. More election news to follow on www.studentnewspaper.org!

 

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Mr
Matthew (129.215.149.xxx) 2009-01-13 22:49:08
How on earth is George a candidate? He is a vile creature who works for Press
TV, a propaganda vehicle of the Iranian government
Reply
0 0
Mr.
Stuart McAlpine (78.148.14.xxx) 2009-01-14 19:43:50
George Galloway?
well that braught a smile to my face. i can see the appeal,
students can definately register with his constant che guevara quotes and his
iron-fisted journalism. But honestly, can someone who addresses people as
'comrade' or 'brother' be taken seriously? even as a humble simpleton, the
people who he supposedly stands up for could tell you that from watching
celebrity big brother a few years ago that the man simply tries too much. He
tries too much, desperately, to be someone and something that he obviously is
not. Like with Jerremy Clarkson i find myself picking daisy petals: I like him,
i like him not. I like him, i like him not.
Reply
0 1
Mike Williamson (92.236.27.xxx) 2009-01-15 19:02:09
Well this looks like a no-brainer. On one hand we have George Galloway,
ridiculous champagne socialist, creationist Christian (not sure how those two
fit together in his head) and seemingly a personal friend of Saddam Hussein, a
public joke of Biblical proportions. On the other we have George Faulkes,
faithful member of the Labour herd of zombies who's voted in favour of the War
in Iraq, top-up fees and identity cards (clearly he can identify with the
student population, then). The only tenable choice appears to be Iain
Wotshisface.
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0 0
Brendan Howard (82.41.24.xxx) 2009-01-16 11:03:39
My vote certainly will not be going to Labour MSP Foulkes. Galloway has said
that the collapse of the Soviet Union was the "biggest catastrophe" in
his life. Millions of people in FSU countries would disagree (some would not). I
think my vote will be going to Macwhirter.
Reply
0 1
Mr
Jack (94.193.240.xxx) 2009-01-17 18:17:21
Stuart, you are right- George does try hard, but I dont think that is a bad
thing!

However, I think its important to remember that we really need somebody
with a high profile for the role- it gives a great oportunity to promote the Uni
across the country and across the world. A vote for Galloway sends a strong
signal out that the Isreali attacks against civilian areas, UN compounds and
refugee zones is an unnacceptable breach of international law. Its not just a
flawed, but a dangerous policy, and will make the region more unsafe in the long
run. As students, we can follow in along tradition of rectors and chancellors in
Scotland like Nelson Mandela, and Mordechai Vanunu.

Equally however, as George
said today, 'education is an investment, not an expense', and having not had the
opportunity to go to Uni himself, he is very keen that nobody should be denied
the best education this country can provide, and no student should have...
Reply
2 0
Mike Williamson (92.236.27.xxx) 2009-01-18 03:42:54
Forgive my drunked 4am antics, Jack, but I fail to see how it's more important
to vote for someone with a high profile (not sure Celebrity Big Brother counts
as that), rather than someone with whose policies (and to a certain extent
personality) you agree with. I also don't see what a university rectorial
election has to do with the conflict in Gaza, much less what Galloway has to do
with Mandela and Vanunu.

Neither do I understand the comment about education
being an investment to be a positive one. Surely this comment justifies higher
fees for education if he thinks graduates will reap the rewards later.
Rose-tinted glasses, man.
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0 0
Alan W (129.215.149.xxx) 2009-01-19 14:31:12
I agree with Mike- surely it would send out a better message to vote for someone
on the basis of merit, not profile. Especially when George Galloway's resume
includes "pretending to be a cat on TV while still getting paid an MP's
salary".
Reply
1 0
jack (129.215.149.xxx) 2009-01-19 17:14:14
Mike- r.e. link to Vanunu and Mandela- both were rectors/chancellors of Scottish
Unis whilst in jail. It sends a signal of solidarity to those suffering in
oppresive conditions that we, as students, support them. It also sends a signal
to their jailors that the world is watching, and does not approve. I think that
is important when we have seen over 1000 dead, and 4500 injured Palestinians
(mostly children) in the past couple of weeks. You'd be a hard man to call that
acceptable collateral!

RE education. George said at his press conference on
Saturday in Old College that education is an investment for all of society, and
many of the great leaps forward made by humankind have come from within
universities. This alone (although there are many other reasons)means that State
funding of universities is worthwhile, and should be extended as widely as
possible. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT ERECT BARRIERS TO EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY
Reply
1 0
Mike Williamson (129.215.149.xxx) 2009-01-20 12:48:55
Yes, I'm aware that Vanunu and Mandela were very much supported whilst they were
imprisoned, I just fail to see what that has to do with George Galloway and
Gaza. If Galloway's elected, I don't imagine the headlines will read
"Edinburgh students send signal of solidarity to Gaza victims".

Sure,
I'm sure we all agree that state funding for education is essential. What I
haven't heard is what he's going to do about it? Iain Macwhirter's been
promising a campaign for a £7,000 income guarantee for students.
Reply
0 0
Mr.
Matthew (78.105.236.xxx) 2009-01-21 23:40:00
Jack - I am going to provide you with some links to Galloway's antics that
should leave you in no doubt that he is not the right man for the Rectorship (or
any other job representing other people's interests). If after thoroughly
examining the evidence you still think he is a good candidate because he shouts
a lot at anti war protests then I truly fear for you:

Here he mourns for the
Soviet Union http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/sep/16/iraq.i nterviews
Reply
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Mr
Matthew (78.105.236.xxx) 2009-01-21 23:45:38
Here he glorifies Hezbollah; Fascist, hates Jews, recruits child soldiers, tries
to kill innocent civilians
http://www.hurryupharry.org/2008/07/23/g
alloway-glorifies-again/
http://www.hurryupharry.o
rg/2008/07/18/dont-let-them-forget/
http://www.unh
cr.org/refworld/country,,,QUERYRESPONSE,LBN,4562d8 cf2,4784deec1a,0.html

He
works for Press TV which is exclusively funded by Iran. Executes apostates,
political dissidents and homosexuals as well as preventing any spontaneous
political mobilisation.
http://www.presstv.ir/Programs/#1
ht
tp://www.presstv.ir/
Reply
0 0
how to apply for this college
ifeanyi matthew (196.36.234.xxx) 2009-01-24 18:36:38
i am male holding west africa examination result but am eager to study in this
college, i need to know whats to do here please sir and madamto come over. from
nigeria,my fellow student am sorry to write like this its a problem over here
that cause this impudent writing of mine please hear me sir and madam also to my
fellow students.
your sincerely
matthew
Reply
1 1
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