The election for this year’s England representative on the World Universities Debating Council will take place at the ESU John Smith Memorial Mace for England at Dartmouth House on Friday 23 November 2007. The representative is empowered to cast England’s votes on the WUDC, as well as being expected to represent the interests of the English debating community. Any individual may stand for election, and individuals may nominate themselves. All nominations must have been received by Monday 19 November. Every debating institution in England is entitled to cast one vote in the election. In order to cast a vote each institution must have nominated one elector by Monday 19 November 2007.
After Monday 19 November the names of the candidates, and the designated electors for each institution, will be published on this page and the BD mailing list . Votes may be cast by email from Tuesday 20 November until Thursday 22 November, or in person at the ESU John Smith Memorial Mace before 9pm on Friday 23 November.
To nominate yourself, register as the designated elector for your institution, or vote in the election, please email james_probert@esu.org.
In addition to the election for the England representative the Mace will also play host to a referendum on whether or not to adopt a constitution for a new committee, the English National Universities’ Debate Council. The draft constitution has been drawn up by a group of debaters from various institutions chaired by David Tite, the current elected England representative. The document contains the ratification procedure envisaged (also below, titled ‘Schedule 3’).
Schedule 3 – Ratification Process
1. Circulation of the proposed NUDC constitution 1 week in advance of the ESU JSMM 2007 to all institutions participating in the competition. No amendments will be accepted to the proposed constitution prior to the ratification vote, although amendments may be proposed at the first meeting of NUDC if the constitution is ratified.
2. Election of the ‘England Rep’ by STV under the usual procedures on the Friday of the ESU JSMM 2007.
3. Ratification of the proposed NUDC constitution by simple majority vote on the Friday of the ESU JSMM 2007. In the case that the constitution is ratified by a simple majority, all those institutions casting a vote in favour of ratification will become members of NUDC, and all those casting a vote against ratification may apply for membership at the first AGM. In the case that the proposed constitution is not ratified by a simple majority, NUDC will not be established.
4. The first meeting of NUDC will take place on the Saturday of the ESU JSMM 2007. At this meeting, the ‘England Rep’ will automatically assume the position of Chair of NUDC and an election for the position of Secretary will be held by NUDC.
5. NUDC will schedule its first Ordinary meeting during the inaugural AGM.
