Oxford University Liberal Democrats

Oxford University Liberal Democrats
Founded 1913 (as Oxford University Liberal Club )
Website www.oulibdems.co.uk

Honorary officers

Patron Lord Tyler, Exeter College

Current committee

Senior Co-chair Lucinda Chamberlain, Brasenose College
Junior Co-chair Harry Samuels New College
Treasurer Louise Kandler, Lady Margaret Hall
Secretary Jack Ford, St. Hilda's College
Spirits Officer Jamie Lagerberg, Corpus Christi College
Social Secretary James Barnett, St. Hugh's College
Campaigns Officer Guy Butler, St. Edmund Hall
General Exec Officer Akshay Bilolikar, Corpus Christi College
General Exec Officer Alex White, Regent's Park College
General Exec Officer George Wright, Balliol 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.

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 20th 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. 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:

Presidents of OULD

For a full list, see Former Presidents of Oxford University Liberal Club and Oxford University Liberal Democrats.

References

  1. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20091028034342/http://www.geocities.com/jamesrattue/kys.jpg

External links

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