Warwick student is standing in the General Election
Warwick student Benjamin Gallaher will stand as a parliamentary candidate during the upcoming general election.
The History and Politics undergraduate will be representing the Green Party in the Coventry South constituency.
Mr Gallaher has said that he is seeking to represent the interests of students and young people across the UK. He told the Boar: “In terms of change, I’d like to galvanise young people and being a candidate for both Warwick and Coventry campus is a great opportunity for it.
“We are the next and most important generation at the moment and [I believe] only the Greens fully acknowledge this fact, hence policies of free higher education and less competition in schools that leave many deprived.”
Third-year Theatre Studies student CJ Webley commented: “I personally believe it is a very rare and useful opportunity for a young person to be heard on issues concerning the Green Party.
“One of the main concerns however is the matter of life experience. Because he is so young, I question how many ‘real life’ experiences he has had with people from all walks of life, which of course in running for MP has to be taken into consideration.”
Josie Throup, a second-year English Literature student, said: “This is great news. I imagine it will get a lot of Warwick students and young people in the constituency more interested in voting. I think this upcoming general election could see a surge in the number of young voters. Parliament should represent both young and old, and I support all efforts to make it less pale, stale and male.”
However, not all students are supportive of his campaign. Some students are concerned that he is too inexperienced to be elected as an MP.
Many students also stated that they politically oppose the Green party. One such student, who told the Boar that they would be voting Conservative at the election, said: “Good luck to him. Hopefully he won’t win”
Another, Economics and Politics student Maatin Adewunmi, stated: “I don’t think that the Green Party best represent the interest of student as their main focus is on the environment.
“At a time when there is an increasing amount of graduates and a decreasing amount of jobs the Green Party wants to refocus the economy away from manufacturing, this will lead to a large decrease in the number of graduate jobs in this sector.”
Mr Adewunmi added: “In addition to this the green party also plans to impose numerous taxes on financial institutions which will means that there will be a fall in graduate opportunities in a sector which ordinarily employs a large number of graduates.”
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Mr Gallaher has been involved in student politics since joining Warwick and is currently publicity officer for the Warwick Green Party Society. Some of his activities have included canvassing for the Leamington Greens in local areas and engaging with students through social media.
“Most of the Green stuff I do is on campus and it has really helped mould my political views into everything I do.
“Studying History and Politics, it’s all very relevant to what I learn so I try to spread that same ethos not only with Green members but with people I hang with and in seminars.
“This is probably going to be one of the most challenging and exciting events of my life, but also a huge event for all of us if we are to change the politics of ‘business-as-usual’.”
The Coventry South constituency includes the University of Warwick campus plus Coventry city centre. It is regarded as a Labour safe seat going into this year’s general election.
Mr Gallaher will be running against current Labour MP Jim Cunningham, who has represented the region as its MP since 1992.
Whilst in office Mr Cunningham has campaigned for International students to have free access to the NHS during their study in the UK.
The Conservative candidate is Gary Ridley, who was previously a Conservative councillor in Coventry.
Mr Ridley has previously stated: “I will be making the case for a Conservative government that is fixing our economy, keeping interest rates low, creating jobs and growth while still reducing the deficit.”
Meanwhile, Greg Judge will be the Liberal Democrat’s candidate. Mr Judge has extensively campaigned for legislation to allow assisted suicide.
A UKIP candidate will also contend the Coventry South seat.
The General Election 2015 will take place on May 7. Students can register to vote here.
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