Oxford University Liberal Democrats

Oxford University Liberal Democrats
Founded 1913 (as Oxford University Liberal Club )
Home Page www.oulibdems.org.uk

Honorary officers
Patron Evan Harris, Wadham

Current committee
Co-chair Benjamin Maconick, Keble College
Co-chair Oliver Park, University College
Secretary Jon-Paul Spencer, University College
Campaigns Officer Doug Hale, Ruskin College
Treasurer Joe Kelly, University College
Press and Publicity Officer Rio Jones, Hertford College
Social and Events Officer Anna Birley, Trinity College
Sister society Cambridge Student Liberal Democrats

Oxford University Liberal Democrats (OULD) is the student branch of the Liberal Democrats for students at both the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University. Previously called the Oxford Student Liberal Society, it is the successor to both Oxford University Liberal Club and Oxford University Social Democrats (founded in 1981), which voted to merge early in 1987, about a year in advance of the national parties.

Contents

History

As the OU Liberal Club was founded in 1913, OULD is amongst the oldest political clubs at British universities.[1] It was formed from a merger of two older Liberal societies at Oxford, the Russell Club, and the Palmerston Club, both of which dated to at least the 1870s.

Elections

Its members are active in local campaigns, especially in parliamentary elections. Towards the late twentieth century, Oxford West and Abingdon was a Conservative – Liberal Democrat marginal. It returned Dr Evan Harris from 1997 until 2010, when he was defeated by Nicola Blackwood, a Conservative candidate. Westminster. At the 2005 general election, there was an 11.2% swing towards the Lib Dems in Oxford East, which had traditionally been a safe Labour seat. The margin of victory for Andrew Smith in 2005 was 963 votes - a 90% decrease from 2001. However, at the 2010 general election, Andrew Smith achieved a 4.1% swing in his favour, holding the seat for Labour by a margin of 4,581 votes.

Social events

The society organises social events each term, and attracts well-known Liberal Democrat speakers to address its members. Recent visitors have included Nick Clegg, Chris Huhne, Lynne Featherstone, Shirley Williams, and Lord McNally. The society also organises policy debates and forums with other political societies in Oxford.

Alumni

Some former members of the society and its predecessors have gone on to have notable careers, including:

Recent Presidents of OULD

References

  1. ^ [1]

External links

Political clubs and societies of Oxford University