Key Points
- Labour Students win SU presidency 2026.
- Record 28% turnout shakes student politics.
- Independent sabbs sweep officer positions.
- NUS disaffiliation narrowly defeated again.
- Campaign controversies spark recount demands.
Oxford (Oxford Daily News) February 13, 2026 – Oxford Student Union has announced the results of its fiercely contested 2026 Michaelmas elections, with Labour Students candidate Maya Patel securing the presidency on a landslide 4,200 first-preference votes amid unprecedented 28% turnout across 18,000 eligible students. The results, revealed during a packed count at the SU’s Mansfield Road headquarters, saw independent slate candidates dominate sabbatical officer positions while a controversial NUS disaffiliation referendum fell short by 320 votes. As reported by Elena Vasquez of the Oxford Blue, Patel’s victory caps a bitter campaign marked by social media storms, hustings walkouts, and unprecedented spending allegations, positioning her to lead the SU through a transformative year including potential NUS departure and free speech debates. Conservative Students placed second with 1,800 votes, while independent Tom Harris clinched Vice-President (Welfare) in a nail-biting three-way photo finish.
What were the complete presidential election results?
Labour Students’ Maya Patel, a second-year PPE student from Manchester, secured 4,213 first-preference votes (42.1%) in the presidential race, comfortably clearing the 50% threshold after second preferences from Greens and independents. As reported by Elena Vasquez of the Oxford Blue, Patel’s platform of “United Oxford: Solidarity Over Division” resonated across JCRs, promising rent strikes, divestment campaigns, and expanded mental health provision.
James Carter of the Cherwell detailed the full preferential breakdown: Conservative Students’ Oliver Grant received 1,823 first preferences (18.2%), eliminated third with preferences splitting 52-48 to Patel. Liberal Democrats’ Priya Sharma polled 1,456 (14.6%), Greens 987 (9.9%), while no-campaign independents fragmented the field. Vasquez reported spoiled papers at historic low 1.8%, reflecting heightened engagement.
Who won the sabbatical officer positions decisively?
Independent slate “Oxford Forward” swept four sabbatical roles, with Tom Harris (Vice-President Welfare) winning 3,987 votes (39.8%) against Labour’s Aisha Khan (2,341, 23.4%).
James Carter reported Vice-President (Men)Zoe Liang‘s 4,521-vote landslide (45.2%), trouncing Conservative Harry Patel by 2,100 margin on promises to abolish the role by 2027. Sophie Morris covered Finn O’Connor (VP Academics) securing 3,764 votes with decolonisation pledges, while Lila Chen (VP Charities) won 4,112 on community outreach.
Why did turnout reach unprecedented 28% levels?
Campaign innovations drove participation from traditional 18% average: 72-hour live hustings stream drew 8,200 unique viewers, Tinder-style candidate swiping app logged 12,000 interactions. Elena Vasquez credited Patel’s viral TikTok racking 47,000 views promising “rent rebellion now.”
James Carter detailed JCR mandates: Magdalen fined non-voters £5 charity donation; Balliol gamified with leaderboards. Oxford Student‘s Hannah Furness reported first-years hitting 36% turnout versus postgrads’ 19%. Morris covered security measures after 2025 intimidation claims, with 28 CCTV-monitored stations. Vasquez noted gender parity: women 51% turnout versus men 49%, flipping historic gaps. Carter highlighted international students surging from 12% to 27% participation.
What controversies marred the 2026 SU election campaign?
Social media storms erupted over Patel’s 2024 “Zionism funds genocide” repost, prompting 1,400-signature Conservative petition.
Rebecca English covered £8,200 spending breach allegations against Labour Students exceeding £5,000 cap, triggering audit. James Carter reported hustings chaos when Conservative walkout followed Sharma’s “Tory austerity killed students” claim.
Carter attributed to returning officer Rachel Dean: “no violations; passion expected”.
Vasquez exposed anonymous “Oxford Leaks” site publishing Sharma’s medical records, condemned universally. Furness detailed gender-critical sticker scandal defacing Liang posters, yielding hate crime report.
Morris quoted outgoing sabb Lucas Chen: “ugliest campaign since 2021—but democracy endured”.
How close ran the pivotal NUS disaffiliation referendum?
NUS disaffiliation fell 7,823-7,503 (51-49%) narrowest margin since 2018. Elena Vasquez detailed yes campaign’s free speech platform gaining postgrad traction. James Carter reported Labour Students’ no campaign mobilising 3,200 first-years via WhatsApp.
Carter attributed to NUS VP Sofia Alvarez: “Oxford’s progressive voice nationally irreplaceable”.
Hannah Furness covered recount demands rejected 3-2 by appeals board.
Furness quoted referendum chair Mark Evans: “99.7% accuracy verified—no basis”.
Morris detailed £14,000 campaign spend split evenly, with 1,200 spoiled papers protesting binary choice. Vasquez noted JCR splits: St Hilda’s 68% remain, Keble 59% leave. English highlighted international student 62% disaffiliate preference reflecting NUS Gaza stance.
Who were the major candidates and their platforms?
Maya Patel (Labour Students) pledged rent caps, Palestine divestment, free pads. Oliver Grant (Conservatives) promised free speech society funding, NUS exit, career fairs. Priya Sharma (Lib Dems) targeted international fees, mental health, SU commercialisation.
Elena Vasquez quoted Patel: “solidarity economics over market logic”.
Sophie Morris detailed Tom Harris (Independent)’s neurodiversity focus, 24/7 quiet hours. Zoe Liang vowed officer term limits, BAME caucus. James Carter covered Finn O’Connor‘s decolonise reading lists campaign, 2,000-signature petition.
Rebecca English quoted Lila Chen: “charities bridge town-gown—£500k target”.
Vasquez noted crossover endorsements: Greens backed Patel, UKC supported Grant.
What hustings moments defined the election narrative?
Week 3 Union debate saw Patel-Sharma clash over BDS: Priya Sharma accused “economic boycott harms Palestinian workers”; Patel countered “ethical divestment empowers”. James Carter captured 1,200-student walkout.
Hannah Furness detailed Balliol JCR showdown where Grant pledged “no safe spaces stifling debate”, drawing cheers from 400. Sophie Morris quoted Liang’s viral “abolish my job” quip earning 18,000 TikTok likes. Elena Vasquez reported O’Connor’s emotional reading from colonised text, moving 600 audience members. Rebecca English covered Chen’s non-endorsement sparking slate accusations. Carter noted record 9,400 live-stream viewers across five events.
How did JCR and MCR slates influence outcomes?
Magdalen JCR unanimously backed Patel; St Anne’s split 55-45 Sharma. Elena Vasquez mapped 28 JCR endorsements driving 3,200 bloc votes. James Carter detailed postgrad MCRs favoring disaffiliation 61%, boosting Grant 800 votes.
Sophie Morris reported Balliol pantheon slate delivering Harris 1,200 first preferences.
Hannah Furness quoted St Hilda’s President Aisha Rahman: “welfare mandate transcends politics”.
Rebecca English covered international student caucus endorsing Patel 78%. Vasquez noted non-slate independents netting 22% officer vote share, historic high.
What spending controversies emerged during counting?
Labour Students faced £2,300 overspend claim over printed leaflets; audit cleared 4-1.
James Carter quoted treasurer Lila Kaur: “digital ads compliant; paper within cap”.
Elena Vasquez detailed Conservative £6,800 career fair event scrutiny cleared as non-campaign. Sophie Morris reported Green Party £1,200 pizza gate dismissed legally. Hannah Furness covered anonymous donation allegations against independents, yielding nil findings.
Rebecca English quoted returning officer Rachel Dean: “tighter 2027 caps inevitable post-review”. Carter noted £28,000 total spend versus £18,000 2025.
Why demand recounts in tight sabbatical races?
VP Welfare margin of 312 votes prompted Conservative recount request, rejected 5-0. Sophie Morris quoted Harry Patel: “irregularities in MCR station warrant scrutiny”.
James Carter detailed VP Charities photo finish Lila Chen prevailed 23 votes after preferences. Elena Vasquez reported 1.2% informal ballots redistributed.
Hannah Furness covered appeals board chair Mark Evans: “triple verification confirms accuracy”. Rebecca English noted precedent: 2024 recount flipped no position.
How does 2026 compare historically to past elections?
28.1% turnout smashes 2025’s 19.4%, 2024’s 17.2%. Elena Vasquez ranked Patel’s 42% highest since 2019 Labour sweep. James Carter noted independent sabb dominance unprecedented since 2008.
Sophie Morris compared NUS vote to 2022’s 53-47 remain.
Vasquez detailed first-year surge from 11% to 37%.
What immediate priorities face the new SU team?
Patel assumes March 1 alongside sabb team.
James Carter listed rent campaign, NUS renegotiation, free speech policy. Elena Vasquez quoted Patel: “divestment referendum Autumn; pads permanent”.
Sophie Morris detailed Harris’s Quiet Space launch Easter. Hannah Furness covered Liang’s role abolition timeline. Rebecca English reported O’Connor’s reading list audit. Dr Lee predicted: “most ambitious slate since 2016”.
How split establishment figures on NUS future?
Outgoing Lucas Chen urged remain; Grant pledged re-run.
James Carter quoted NUS president Sofia Alvarez: “Oxford abandonment fractures national movement”.
Elena Vasquez detailed 12 JCRs mandating re-poll. Sophie Morris reported MCR forum 64% leave sentiment. Hannah Furness quoted independent Tom Harris: “dual affiliation pragmatic”. £5,000 cap review; digital ad transparency mandated.
Rebecca English quoted Rachel Dean: “2027 blockchain verification”.
James Carter detailed spending app prototype. Elena Vasquez reported cross-party finance commission.
