This term’s Union elections include a presidential race between members of the University's Conservative (CUCA) and Labour (CULC) societies, a three-way contest for Debates Officer, and manifestos that focus on financial accessibility and international speakers.

Running for president for the second time this academic year is Ellie Breeze, whose campaign focuses on financial and bureaucratic barriers. Breeze, who has served as CUCA’s Speakers Officer, lost to James Appiah III by 16 votes in Michaelmas’ hotly contested election. A former Union Equalities Officer, her social media campaign stresses her experience: “For better or worse the Union is one of the central things in my life [...] My policies are all achievable and built off experience.”

Breeze believes that the Union has “the potential to be a force for good within and beyond Cambridge,” and pledges in her manifesto to reduce Lent Ball prices and to run guest meet and greets as standard. Notably, Breeze promises higher democratic accountability, which she would enforce with by-elections and “accountability sessions” in which outgoing position-holders would be grilled by members.

Contesting Breeze for the presidential role is Nick Davis, the Union’s current Debates Officer and former CULC co-chair. Davis’ campaign is centred around financial pledges, which include a £90 reduced membership cost, doubling the number of scholarships, and setting up an Affordability Committee. Davis commits to making the Union more “affordable, thought-provoking, and inclusive”.

Davis also pledges to internationalise and “demystify” debates and provide better channels between Women and Non Binary workshops and main debates. “The Union can change, so let’s change it,” reads Davis’ campaign poster.

The election’s most contested post is Debates Officer, with three candidates in the running. Two of these boast support from previous presidents, with Joshua Lim nominated by Christopher George, and Sammy McDonald endorsed by Lara Brown, while Haiwei Li is nominated by Sal Widdicombe. Both Li and Lim promise more international debate topics and speakers, while McDonald pledges to prioritise new student speakers.

The two-man race for Speaker’s Officer comprises Alessio D’Angelo and Juan Diego. D’Angelo, who has served on the Speakers subcommittee for the past three terms, promises international speakers and a task force dedicated to bringing Taylor Swift to the chamber. Diego's campaign Instagram profile reads “I cannot be asked to continue this campaign.”

Running for Equalities Officer are Sam Eastoe and Anoushka Kale. Eastoe’s manifesto includes an anonymous complaints network, an expanded scholarship scheme, and accessible period products and disability access schemes. Kale pledges to include the Equalities subcommittee in the process of inviting speakers, a budget for inclusion initiatives such as pronoun pins and BSL, and an International Women’s Day event.

Szymon Sawicki is running uncontested for Social Events Officer, with commitments that include a smoking area, a rave, and a murder mystery night.

Voting will take place in the Union from Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th June.