• GORDON RAMSAY
• MARTIN PASSMORE
• YUSUKE OSAWA
• SIMON PEPPER




GORDON RAMSAY

• Award-winning TV chef
• Once played for Glasgow Rangers
• Most famous

The world-famous Gordon Ramsay was asked to run for Rector three years ago by prominent former debater B. Tobias Joss. Ramsay turned down the invitation because of time constraints (Joss ran himself, and finished a respectable third) but the chef now has enough time to devote to the office should he win the election. A footballer for Rangers from 1982-85, he then entered the realm of cuisine, working with the eminent Albert Roux at La Gavroche as well as Marco Pierre White at Harvey’s.

Founding Aubergine in 1994 and then his own Gordon Ramsay restaurant in 1998, his supporters mark him out as “a self-made man who is not afraid to make his opinion heard”. They also claim he “understands the pressures put upon young people as well as what hard work is”, which is more than one can say for the average St Andrews student!

The footballer-turned-chef is known for his fiesty, opinionated attitude on television. He hopes to raise the profile of the University, and many believe that students will benefit from his personal wealth via the Rector’s Fund.




MARTIN PASSMORE

• St Andrews graduate
• Wants to expand the role of Rector
• Most qualified

The supporters of Martin Passmore argue that being a town resident “has the time and ability to fight for [students]” and is “not just someone who comes to St Andrews once in a blue moon.” Indeed, Mr. Passmore is well known about town and in the University, enjoying friendly relations with a number of societies as well as volunteering his time for the Kate Kennedy Club, of which he is an old member (a former Kate, even!). He also works with the Army Cadet Force. “Martin has no choice but to be interested in your problems,” his campaign argues, “because you can talk to him in Tesco, or in the street.”

Mr. Passmore proposes to expand the role of the Lord Rector by focussing on the University as a whole. As a local, he can afford the time to devote to issues at hand, and no doubt has a valuable insight into town-gown relations. He would like the Development Office to “start working harder to get alumni excited about giving.” Mr. Passmore hopes to rework the University infrastructure, including “better indoor sporting facilities, and perhaps a real student performing arts centre.”

Nonetheless, Mr. Passmore realises the impropability of achieving all this in a three-year term, but insists it is time the University began to think ahead and developing long term plans.




YUSUKE OSAWA

• M.A. St Andrews, 2005
• From Japanese noble family
• Most well-known to students

Yusuke Osawa only graduated from St Andrews last year, but is so fond of the institution that he desires to return to represent the students of the University. Mr. Osawa spent five years at St Andrews and was a member of a variety of groups and organisations during that time including the Kate Kennedy Club, the St. Salvator’s Chapel Choir, the St. Leonard’s Chapel Choir, the Kensington Club, and was formerly the main financial backer of this newspaper.

Mr. Osawa is very well-known, not only among the students of this University but also amongst members of staff and the administration, and his network of friends would no doubt be helpful for advancing student interests.

“I myself have been a student of the University,” Mr. Osawa says, “and I know what makes student life difficult here in St Andrews.” He wants to draw particular attention to the housing situation, teaching standards, and supporting student needs, and promises to be very reachible if elected rector.

“I give you my word as a man of St Andrews that I will always do my best for you.”




SIMON PEPPER

• Most green

Simon Pepper worked for twenty years as director of the World Wildlife Fund in Scotland, stepping down just this year. He has dabbled in government as a member of the Deer and Forestry Commissions, and has been an advisor to the Scottish Executive on Sustainable Development.

“With links to the highest level of decision-making,” his supporters say, “Simon can exert influence at the centre, both in the University and for the University on behalf of students.” Pepper would like to counter the inadequacies of the university by focussing on raising standards, as well as “seeking investment for the Rector’s Fund from a range of sources whilst pressing for a solid commitment from the University to support student activities,” and would seek affordable student housing.