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Original poster

Anyone voting in Cambridge?

51 replies

Acinonyx · 13/10/2011 12:01

I'm dithering really. Who couldn't love Brian? But I like Michael's view's on education (but too political for this post maybe?). Sainsbury might be good for the university - might bring in dosh. I love the idea of the muslim shopkeeper - but unrealistic, I think.

Come sway me with your opinions, fellow voters.

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 13/10/2011 12:08

I am so disappointed there isn't a woman in the line up. We should have offered our services on a job-share basis Wink

51wksApart · 13/10/2011 12:20

Sainsbury is the heir who has been lined up, Micheal is too political and doesn't seem very pro-biosciences while Brian would be fab at reaching out to everybody but perhaps not so good at sorting out all the political funding shenanigans - am undecided :-)

Original poster
Acinonyx · 13/10/2011 13:03

Yes I think I'm torn between Brian and Sainsbury. Brian has quite a following.

Ah Bof - we missed our chance there. Maybe next time... [hwink]

OP posts:
azazello · 13/10/2011 13:53

I probably won't bother voting but if I did it would be either Michael or Brian. I have worked with Sainsbury before and no. Just no.

Original poster
Acinonyx · 13/10/2011 15:30

Can you say more......?????

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 13/10/2011 16:05

Does anyone want to meet for a coffee in Nero's after voting to chew the cud about this?

BoffinMum · 13/10/2011 16:10

They would eat the Mill Road guy alive, so not for him.

Sainsbury represents a kind of coronation, and I don't approve of those, so not for him.

Michael has political nous so he is interesting.

Brian is just Brian, so also interesting.

However I note that absolutely not one single candidate has attempted to reach out to the massive female electorate, so I am basically unimpressed with all of them.

builder · 13/10/2011 16:36

Can any Cambridge MA vote ?

(I can't remember being given the opportunity to vote for the last one...)

BoffinMum · 13/10/2011 16:41

Yes, but you have to wear a gown. They can lend you one if necessary.

Original poster
Acinonyx · 13/10/2011 16:56

builder - there hasn't been a vote since 1950 - all other nominations were unopposed.

What time are you thinking of going in Bof? There may be queues so it may be hard to meet up unless we go in together. I'm afraid I don't have my own gown [hhmm]

I was thinking of going in early, after the school run, but could manage any time preferably in the morning.

I gather it's between the payroll voters being nudged toward Sainsbury and the graduates who want Brian. I think it's a real dilemma. My heart is all for Brian but I do understand that Sainsbury might bring serious money in his wake.

I like Michael's politics but I think they are probably out of place for this position - the Chancellor being more like the Queen than the PM.

The place was crawling with gowns today - just in time to vote.

OP posts:
TheMagicFinger · 13/10/2011 18:02

www.brianforchancellor.com has persuaded me. I'm voting for Brian.

I think he'd do wonders for access, and for me, it really comes down to the ROLE of the Chancellor - he's a neutral, apolitical, powerless figurehead who doesn't actually run the university (the Vice-Chancellor does that).

I actually agree with a lot of Mansfield's points, but I just think they're irrelevant for a figurehead role. He's promising to resist fees and resist cuts, but the Chancellor has no power, so even if he wants to, Mansfield couldn't keep any of those promises.

I've been quite impressed by how positive the campaign has been from all sides - so I'm not worried about asking Sainsbury for more cash if he loses. If there'd been a dirty contest full of mudslinging, that would have been different, but instead all 4 candidates have been talking about what they want to offer.

I also think that Sainsbury being Chancellor would make it MORE difficult to solicit donations, since it would be highly inappropriate for a Chancellor to be giving money. I imagine there'd be an uproar over financial interests if Prince Philip had ever given a penny. So explaining that would be a gentle way to let Lord Sainsbury down.

For me, Brian as Chancellor is just a great opportunity to have an articulate communicator tell the world how wonderful Cambridge is, and to make a statement about voting in someone with great achievements, but from a humble background.

Pity they couldn't have found a woman candidate, though.

Original poster
Acinonyx · 13/10/2011 18:47

Finger - that was very persuasive. [hsmile] I think I'll follow my heart.

OP posts:
Matsikula · 13/10/2011 20:41

Hmm, saw the email on this: 'Can anyone vote?'

Why yes, of course, if you have gone through the absurd process of getting an MA you didn't study for, can travel up to Cambridge for the day, and get hold of a gown. Generously, full academic dress not required.

Am I the only person who didn't get their MA on principle? I've got a real one...

Think it's great that there's actually going to be an election, but really annoyed that there's so many hoops to jump through to vote.

Original poster
Acinonyx · 13/10/2011 21:15

I don't really understand the MA thing. I agree that shouldn't be necessary if you have a BA. I did my PhD there.

Apparently gowns can be borrowed on site. I'm not keen on gowns but I doubt I can change the system in time.

OP posts:
vincentvangogh · 13/10/2011 21:31

I don't think I can make it to vote, even though my (crappy) college is making a token effort to encourage people. I'd be going for the Mill Road chappie as I used to shop there.

And you can also vote if you have an MA equivalent you have actually studied for :o I have a real one (MASt)

BoffinMum · 13/10/2011 21:38

Well I will pop over to my college to get my gown and then probably be in Cafe Nero by about 9.30 to appraise the queue situation before voting starts at 10. Do you want to meet in there? Anyone else able to come along to join us? I can wear my doctor's bonnet with a Pombear motif stuck on as a means of MN identication Wink Grin

EllaDee · 13/10/2011 21:50

Darn, I think I am going to be too lazy if it'll be full of queues. OTOH, will I get another chance? It doesn't happen often, and I could go and look at a manuscript I need to check out in the library.

Does anyone know how long the queue is likely to be?

BoffinMum · 13/10/2011 21:52

Come on Ella, it's being part of history.

EllaDee · 13/10/2011 21:55

I know it is, but it's also about 3 hours on the X5. Do you have any sense of how busy it will be from what people on the spot are saying?

EllaDee · 13/10/2011 21:57

Btw, Matsikula, I am cross about that too. I can see a bit of tradition is lovely, but come on, how many people can afford to travel in just for that?!

EllaDee · 13/10/2011 21:58

(And how do they know who has a MA anyway? Do you bring the certificate?)

Original poster
Acinonyx · 13/10/2011 22:08

They have a list of all eligible voters on their computer.

Bof - I couldn't get in before 10ish anyway. Don't want to hold you up - I could call you when I get in and see where you are.

OP posts:
EllaDee · 13/10/2011 22:13

Ok, I think the 'being part of history' thing is swaying me, I shall come. But I will probably be in around mid-day, so if you are meeting up in the morning I'm afraid I won't make it.

EllaDee · 13/10/2011 22:14

(Btw, it's LRD here.)

BoffinMum · 13/10/2011 22:23

Well I would be happy to go for a spot of lunch in the University Centre instead and vote later, if that grabs anyone's interest?