CO-CURRICULAR NEWS
Open to Debate The Politics Society, one of the many academic societies at Lancing, is open to anyone interested in or studying Politics. Each week, on a Wednesday afternoon, the Politics Society meets in the somewhat inconspicuous setting of The Dive classroom. However, what is discussed here is far from inconspicuous – the most pressing issues of the day. It is a very good era in which to be a Politics student – the world continues to grapple with COVID-19, the beginning of the post-Brexit world, the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban … and so the list goes on. This makes for riveting discussion, a healthy hint of debate, and a plentiful supply of heretical essay titles! There is also ample opportunity for discussion of the more domestic issues making the headlines, such as political party conferences, Parliamentary standards controversies, and, of course, the tragic murder of Sir David Amess MP. The Politics Society is an ideal forum in which to discuss, evaluate, and cautiously predict the reactions, consequences, and reasonings of the decisions, events, and ideas that
ultimately shape our wider society, and the relationships between fellow states. Under the leadership of Dr Elizabeth Keane, Head of Politics and undoubtedly the finest Speaker of the House the USA never had, this is a group in which the world’s greatest problems are considered by the generation who will grow up alongside the lasting effects of the said problems. It is a constant source of fascination to hear the differing opinions and eventual compromises of world leaders, and this is reflected in the most diplomatic of ways within our own Politics Society. A recent topic discussed by the Society was the issue of requiring new fathers to take a minimum of six weeks’ paternity leave. This is an excellent example of how an issue that some would simply respond with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ is given consideration to impressive depths in the closing hours of a Wednesday afternoon: the conversation led to comments on societal traditions,
gender stereotypes, same-sex parenting, economic stability and employment opportunities, to name but a few of the concepts where this proposition took us. This is representative of the challenging, engaging and exciting activities of the Politics Society.
BENJAMIN IRVINE-CAPEL Lower Sixth
‘It is wonderful to have so many students interested in Politics Society and willing to contribute to discussions. It certainly makes for some very interesting conversations.’
DR ELIZABETH KEANE Head of Politics
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THE QUAD
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ADVENT 2021
