'Editor's Note' - Alex Beard

'Editor’s Note' - Alex Beard

Dear Reader,

I was hoping to avoid some of the pleasantries that are typical of this kind of introduction. The fact is, however, that it really has been a pleasure to serve as Publications Officer for OULC this term, and to do so under two of the most diligent Co- Chairs the club has had in years.

There has been plenty of inspiration for would-be writers both inside and out of the society. Various mentions are given in the articles to the speakers that Danny and Amy managed to secure. One of them, Richard Burgon, even gave us an interview. Meanwhile, the depressing reality of the global situation beyond Oxford’s dreaming spires inspired two articles on NATO, both fighting different corners, which can be read in the Look Forward section.

I argued when I was running for the position that Look Left is one of OULC’s biggest assets. You would be hard-pressed to find a student publication that publishes such considered takes from such a range of different perspectives. Under one roof is thus contained both an article singing the praises of Tony Blair’s victory in 1997 and a defence of Marx and Engels’ historical materialism.

I would like to thank Naomi Man, who produced a design for the magazine that I have more or less directly imported. She was in turn inspired by a Labour campaign poster from 1966 which bears the text “You Know Labour Government Works”. I am also indebted to Hari Bravery, our incoming Co-Chair, who I not only consulted on various ideas for the magazine and managed to convince to write a debate piece on utopian socialism, but also transcribed the conversation I had with Richard Burgon.

Being able to edit this issue has been well worth the many frantic nights spent on Adobe InDesign, not least given the many things I have learnt from the articles themselves. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Happy reading!

Alex Beard, Publications Officer