CUSU have proposed an amendment to their election rules which would prohibit candidates from seeking endorsements from high-profile individuals.

The proposed regulation states that “students should not seek or promote endorsements from anyone not a member of CUSU or the GU.”

Connor MacDonald, communications officer for CUSU’s Elections Committee, commented that the change was prompted by two particular issues.

“First, we knew that some societies (such as political societies) might have access to prominent figures that other students simply would not have.”

MacDonald told Varsity that this change was not based on any particular instance, affirming that “no names emerged in our discussions on this matter.”

In past CUSU elections, political clubs have often endorsed candidates, with these candidates frequently having chaired or been involved with those societies prior to standing for elected CUSU positions. Last year, Cambridge University Conservative Association endorsed MacDonald, their former chair, with Cambridge University Labour Club backing Siyang Wei, also a former chair of theirs.

MacDonald explained that the second reason for the change is in order to avoid conflicts of interest between University figures and the students’ union designed to hold them to account.

He said: “CUSU’s responsibilities encompass, in large part, lobbying the University and various figures. Yet, in the past, candidates have sought endorsements from University and college figures. We believe this places candidates, particularly successful ones, in a conflict of interest.”

In the 2017 election, CUSU presidential candidate Jack Drury received a public video endorsement from the master of his college, Sir Alan Fersht. Fersht, a celebrated chemist and then Master of Gonville & Caius, praised Drury as a “very nice chappy”.