3 minute read
CO-CHAIRS’ REPORT
This term, in many ways, was full of surprises. Having started the term as Treasurer and Communications officer, we ended as co-chairs - a responsibility that we never expected, although thoroughly enjoyed and truly honoured to have. Trinity was a strange term with a push to overcome Zoom fatigue with a mix of in-person and online events.
Without an elect term or the vac to prepare, we had to learn and settle in on the job. This was only possible through the brilliant help and patience of our committee. Most notably, our amazing co-chair ex-officios Beth Nott and Sofia Cotterill for putting up with our many, many questions. A special applause must also go to Danny Leach, filling in various positions and having the strength to lift two crates of beers from Tesco to Uni Parks (a feat one of our co-chairs is still envious of).
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With May Local Elections falling in Trinity term, OULC was once again called upon to rally our leftwing campaigners to secure an Oxford Labour Council. We hit the streets and knocked on doors, proving ourselves not just to be a university society but a student movement for change. Whether first-time campaigners or seasoned pros, OULC members made a difference on election day. In a time where who’s in power truly make a difference, and sadly a time where those in power are truly incompetent, we are proud of our continued efforts to take back power from the Tories.
Although there were no usual welcome drinks, the return of in-person Beer and Bickering - with, believe it or not, actual beer provided - was a huge highlight for us. Being able to meet people in person who we had only ever seen behind a laptop screen while debating what the next route for Labour should be was well worth the wait. Our speaker events ranged from Stephen Bush to Armando Iannucci and panels spanned from focusing on policing and laws on violence towards women in the UK to the neurodivergent Labour community. Our event with Dolkun Isa was one of our proudest achievements as co-chairs. He spoke of his inspiring but heartbreaking journey to becoming the president of the Uyghur World Congress, where he spreads awareness of the genocide taking place. We found this event moving in many ways and reminded us of the privilege we have as Oxford students, and how we should be using this to educate ourselves and others to act against such atrocities.
This term was a term for reform, to reflect on how we can improve and evolve as a society. That is why we are proud to create the Welfare Position, to ensure our members feel supported whilst being part of the movement, as well as introducing the access membership, to make sure our Club is for the many, not the few. We learnt a lot through being co-chairs this Trinity and we hope the OULC community has too. Moving forward we wish that OULC can continue to grow as an accepting and welcoming space for Oxford’s left-wing. Given the great committee next year (especially the next treasurer and women’s rep!), and enthusiastic membership, we have no doubt OULC will continue to be the influential society it was set out to be.
We live in times where our society seems more divided than ever, with the Conservative government only fanning the flames of these conflicts. As tired as we are of injustices, we must remind ourselves of one fact: what binds us together is greater than what drives us apart. We cannot, and should not, settle for the world as it is. Instead, together, we can work for the world as it should be. With that, we hope this term’s Look Left inspires you to make change. Indeed, it is needed more than ever.
