If you would like to contribute to our blog, please get in touch with the Publications Editor.
This term’s BluePrint magazine can be found here. Physical copies are available at our events. Enjoy reading!
Jordan Bernstein is an undergraduate at Pembroke College
Bercow’s statements last week, if they show anything beyond a practised partiality and degradation of the office of the Speaker, confirm what has become the unuttered truth in our society: mainstream dissent from liberal values is no longer acceptable.
Read MoreBranwen Phillips is a first year undergraduate at Lincoln College, and a member of Committee
First Brexit, now Trump. Common words said and posted prolifically in the last few days and months of 2016. Something I also said in frustration of the many bathetic moments this year as an outspoken Remainer and opponent of Trump. But are Brexit and Trump's electoral victory really comparable?
Read MoreAs the weather compounds in unpleasantness, the reality of January collections begins to dawn, and the inauguration of one Donald J Trump draws nearer, there’s scarcely been a better time to knock back a mulled wine, scoff a mince pie or two (or three), and watch dreadful Hugh Grant films on endless repeat to coax one’s mind off of politics.
Read MoreRedha Rubaie is Secretary of the Association and a second year PPEist at Corpus Christi
To say that I am not the greatest fan of Boris Johnson is probably a major understatement. To my mind, he took public service and turned it into a stand up sketch designed solely with the purpose of installing himself into Number 10. Yet now I find myself coming to his defence.
Read MoreLeo McGrath is an undergraduate reading History and Politics at Lady Margaret Hall.
Britain in 2016 is wracked by division, uncertainty and mistrust. Momentous events, identity politics and reliance on social media are opening up new fault lines and have revealed ugly and dangerous fissures. What we have seen over the past weeks and months has transcended the boundaries of ordinary political discourse and revealed the dark underside of our public politics.
Read MoreRichard Black (Ex-Publications Editor, Lincoln) is an undergraduate studying History.
Between December 2011 and April 2012, Lord Ashcroft commissioned a survey to explore the relationship between the Conservative Party and ethnic minority groups. Whilst it is well known that support for the Conservative Party among ethnic minorities is rather small, the demographic figures he provided are startling to say the least.
Read MoreJeff Vinall (Committee, Brasenose) is an undergraduate reading Jurisprudence
The elusive “great storm”-which-never-was set the backdrop for OUCA’s trip to Parliament, so it was under a surprisingly bright sunlit sky that we rendezvoused at Oxford train station. Predictably, despite the noticeable absence of the expected deluges, the rail system was in disarray. Whether to change at Reading or Thatcham, or go straight for Paddington, was therefore a contentious issue – before long, we had made our choices and splintered into several smallish groups.
Read MoreJack J Matthews (President-Elect, University) is reading for a DPhil in Earth Sciences, and has been recently elected NUS Delegate for the Oxford University Student Union
Some things are just accepted as a given. The United Kingdom won’t do well in the Eurovision Song Contest. The NUS and Student Unions are mainly controlled by students who are politically left of centre. The Pope is a Catholic. However, just because it is so now, doesnt mean it always has to be so.
Read MoreJames Heywood (Secretary, Magdalen) is an undergraduate reading History.
In next year’s local elections, I will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Stretford in Trafford, Greater Manchester. As recently as 1996 the ward had a Conservative councillor, and they had won the seat with 53 per cent of the vote. Today, the Tory vote has hemorrhaged so dramatically that I can nominate safe in the knowledge that I will not need to worry about explaining to the Magdalen porters why my mail is now addressed with ‘Cllr’ before my name.
Read MoreDear all,
I'm delighted to unveil the new OUCA blog. This is the first part of our new web presence, which will make it easier to access information about the Association, our events, and the contribution we make in Oxford and beyond.
The blog currently features several articles from the recent commemorative edition of Blueprint , which was dedicated to our late patron, Baroness Thatcher (Ex-President, Somerville). It is a suitable place for members who wish to opine on current affairs, comment on public policy, or review some of the Association's events; please don't feel any hesitation in submitting something to the Publications Editor, Louie Brockbank, no matter how brief.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please get in touch.
Many thanks,
Robert Greig (President, Magdalen)
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