So we all (well, lots of us) voted today. As the results are not yet counted as I write this, I don’t know who will win. But there is a question as to how many people voted. A few of my colleagues, like me, voted on the way to work. And all of us found that the polling stations were virtually empty! Gabbie, one of my colleagues joked that at least that would make the MP accountable directly to her if she was the only one to vote!
* CLOSE CALLS *
It looks like it could be a fairly close election. At least I’ll know how the winner will feel, having my share of close elections.
I won my student council elections at school rather surprisingly. Having been nominated out of the sheer fun more than anything else. I proceeded to be elected with just 4 votes (and a majority of 1 vote). There were 3 or 4 other candidates, which obviously worked in my favour (if you call me that). But that was my last real dabble in politics. If the electorate can get disillusioned, so can council members. Lack of movement for change in the school really didn’t fill me with enthusiasm for a job I never really wanted!
My second close win was my election as Secretary of the Oxford University LaserQuest Society. This was great as I managed to get all of 4 or 5 votes I think, partly because the only people to turn up were my fellow candidates and the outgoing President (LaserQuest was in decline and we actually had to dissolve the society a year later). When the President Elect then resigned, I proceeded to inherit the Presidential title. All too easy!
My biggest election win though, was with the Oxford University Pacific Rim Society. Standing for President for the second time, this was my big moment. The previous President who had beaten me to the post had some bad fortune, and the society’s active membership deserted Pacrim, leaving only a handful of members to turn up to the election. They were all candidates selected by me for the next committee, and I had suddenly something like 8 votes for Presidency (and uncontested)! But my uncontested leadership contest led to my greatest achievement in Oxford: the creation of the largest Asian society at Oxford University following the merger with APAS to become the OU Asia-Pacific Society, and recruiting plenty of new members who would take the society from strength to strength (and are now some of my best friends!).
Ah, the memories. But that’s not to say I won all my elections. I did lose quite a few in my time as well. As I’ve proved, elections don’t necessarily choose the best person for the job. But certainly it gets people thinking and there’s plenty of fun to be had trying to get a few votes.
* FLATHUNT UPDATE *
Well, my offer on the flat last weekend was accepted and now the process of getting my solicitor to sort out the paperwork and for me to find a mortgage is in place. Things are certainly taking shape, but it is a bit like waiting at the dentist’s with the occasional call in to have a tooth pulled out. I’ll be glad when it’ll all be over, though. But I’m rather excited at the moment!
More when I get it!