EXCLUSIVE: First Interview with Freddie Fforde, Association President-elect

Freddie Fforde, the newly elected Students’ Association President speaks to The Stand

The Stand can officially reveal that Freddie Fforde has been elected as the next Association President for 2012-2013

After 6 rounds of redistributed votes, Chloe Hill and Freddie Fforde were contesting the position with only a few hundred votes in it.

Around 10:45pm this evening, Freddie’s win was met with cheers and applause in a packed out Venue One.

Amanda Litherland was elected Director of Representation just a few minutes earlier, joining Meg Platt as Director of Student Services and Activities, Jules Findlay as Director of Events and Services, and Emily Griffiths as Athletic Union President to make up the incoming Sabbs team.

The Stand grabbed Freddie for his first-ever interview as President-elect.

“I’m so excited to start the year ahead, it’s going to be a great one with such a strong sabbatical team. The one thing that has really marked these elections has been the strength of all the candidates – and that’s not just rhetoric – the number of votes and rounds proved that. The most important thing I have to do now is push my personal feelings aside and become YOUR president, not MY President.”

He also revealed that as his first act as President he will be inviting the other presidential candidates to a meeting to hear their views “I want to find out what their candidacy represented that mine didn’t incorporate – I have to represent all students, not just the ones that voted for me.”

Outgoing Association President Patrick O’Hare told The Stand “The turnout this election was a victory for student democracy. I’m looking forward to showing Freddie the ropes!”

Photo © Lucy Keen