Union DGS candidates were ‘like politicians’
I HAVE always understood that a candidate’s statement presenting his/her case for being elected to high office in the NUJ is strictly in their own words.
I was therefore very surprised to read on the first page of Michelle Stanistreet’s statement in her application for the post of Deputy General Secretary, “Michelle can be trusted to keep the union strong and united. I urge all members to vote for her — John Foster, General Secretary 1992-2001”.
Then in large bold caps we were advised, in the tired, rather patronising, format of a would-be MP in a general election, how we should put a figure 1 in the right place on the ballot paper.
Also, we were told that she was supported by “over 250 reps, officials and activists”.
Is this style likely to be standard practice in future elections? If so, I foresee members’ statements resembling political election addresses and being crammed with laudatory quotes from here, there and everywhere.
Peter Williams
Southend-on-Sea
... and why did so few vote?
GIVEN THE amount of effort required to scribble in a couple of boxes, is it not deeply concerning that less than one in five NUJ members could be bothered to return ballot papers by Freepost to elect a deputy general secretary?
Heaven knows, we received enough email reminders — if not from the union then from one of the candidates or her supporters (the successful one — the rest please note). Perhaps the vast majority were passing judgement on those seeking our votes? Or maybe they concluded the union didn’t need a deputy general secretary.