Re-elected Student Union President Daisy Watson has stepped down from her post before the start of the new academic year.
Sheffield Students’ Union announced her resignation in early August, confirming it is “yet to announce a plan forward” but is “currently exploring how we best ensure continuity of leadership.” No decision has been announced yet on how the position will be filled.
Forge spoke to Daisy about her decision to step down. Daisy said, “I considered it carefully over a few months. You don’t often get the chance to hold this role, and I have such a deep appreciation for the trust placed in me to do it not once, but twice. But as I watched our new officer team come together and work brilliantly, I realised how ready I was to step back.”
Known for chalking daisies across campus during campaigns, her resignation follows what she describes as a “challenging year for the higher-education sector, and for Sheffield SU in particular.” Reflecting on her time in the role, Daisy admitted she often felt limited in her ability to deliver the kind of change she had hoped for.
“Some of the wider structural issues simply weren’t going to shift in the near future, or without significant reform,” she explained. “Changing those systems matters deeply, but constantly fighting to do my job and to stay vocal on critical issues was draining in a way that wasn’t sustainable.”
After dedicating a year of her life to the presidency, Daisy concluded that “the kind of meaningful change I care about would be more achievable from outside the SU. Tackling deep, systemic issues can’t be achieved through endless bureaucracy or constant pressure to stay middle ground.”
Her remarks on institutional complicity reflect growing student anger over the University’s stance on Palestine and its ongoing ties to arms manufacturers. Both the University and the Students’ Union are increasingly accused of complicity through their inaction on divestment.
Reflecting on her year in the role, Daisy said, “I see it as a year of pushing back on systemic barriers. Our aim was to challenge not only the issues around us, but the system that supports them. This role showed me that students are an incredible force for social change, and at the same time revealed just how drastically Students’ Unions need to re-politicise.”
When discussing the role’s biggest challenges, she explained: “As President, you don’t have a neat, single portfolio. One day it’s democracy, a newfound crisis and finances, the next it’s media, strategy, or late-night meetings with students. I often worked 50-plus hour weeks, juggling back-to-back meetings, urgent situations, and projects.”
She noted that the role often blurred the line between professional and personal life, “It doesn’t stop when you leave the office, there were moments when I was out with friends at the pub or out for a walk being approached with requests or criticism. Staying open and approachable is part of the role, but it can be challenging to switch off and just be yourself. I will say though, nine times out of ten, those interactions were lovely.”
Yet the pressures of the job were not only about time and accessibility. Daisy noted the emotional toll of the position: “What could be demoralising was knowing only a small sliver of those hours were visible to our members. It’s tough to give so much of yourself and still receive messages saying you’re not doing enough. I understand that criticism comes with the job, but it can wear on you.”
When reflecting on her time in the position, Daisy stated: “I’m incredibly proud of what our officer team accomplished together: winning progress on bus franchising, building stronger ties with local communities, and demanding that key university services be refunded. These were concrete wins for students, and that makes every late night and tough conversation worth it.”
As the Students’ Union determines its next steps, Daisy’s resignation stands out as a decision rooted in principle.
She leaves behind a presidency defined by both challenge and achievement, sending a clear message that the work of student leaders is not only about policy wins but about staying true to their values in the face of institutional resistance.
The role of SU President, she demonstrated, demands resilience, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to representing students. The University and SU now face the challenge of finding a successor who can continue this work and ensure the student voice remains strong, within the University and beyond.
