As both a fresher and an international student, commenting on politics in Cambridge, let alone the UK, is probably better done by someone who knows a little more than I do. But perhaps I am in the best position of all to commentate – finding my feet among studded rugby boots and aspiring lawyers’ high heels, attempting to see how my Australian political leanings will best translate into a British university and wider political spheres. Speaking to my fresher friends about the issue around college, most seem to share my view that politics on campus can seem just a little bit scary.

Cries of disgust at a myriad of political views outside the closed doors of society meetings and in the comment box below articles around the world do indeed stem from the fallacy that political standing is fixed and compartmental. You are a Labour supporter and automatically infinitely tolerant, socialist even; you are a Tory, a white male, born into money. Or, if you’re not exactly sure what you are, you feel pushed to subscribe to either a blanket ideology or nothing at all. If you question existing or emerging views, you exert your right to free speech, and increasingly inflict offence upon another.

There seems to be little room for nuance, which is disheartening, particularly when translated to a campus as diverse and colourful as Cambridge. So why does a culture of political cloning or disowning exist among youth? It is a lack of openness and fluidity which fundamentally gives weight to stereotypes surrounding all political, social and cultural standings. This is perpetuated further, as stereotypes are all that ‘outsiders’ – often freshers, crammed into a sports hall full of chocolate and Haribos – know.

Having attended the University of Sydney (UoS) for three months before coming to Cambridge, it’s interesting to see the varying impact that student politics can have on the real world. There has been recent speculation of political societies at UoS being stacked out and manipulated by acting MPs for broader political aims. This then infiltrates the youth branches of parties, before a sitting member is eventually toppled by a ‘stupol’ prodigy in the pre-selection process. The successful recent deal made between Stand Up (affiliated with the University’s Labor Club) and Ignite (linked to the Sydney University Liberal Club) will be interesting to follow as they now hold a coalition majority in the Students’ Representative Council. It is things like this, and the amount of my Cambridge friends who actively campaigned against Brexit, that showcases the genuine importance of political engagement among youth.

I believe the Cambridge Student Liberal Democrats’ petition for more mental health counsellors is a brilliant idea. I’d love to see the CEO of Vote Leave speak at a CUCA meeting and not be subject to instant branding as one thing or another. Maybe a minor party or political ideology interests you, but complacency seems the most viable option in a system where two major parties dominate, and traditional elements of partisanship see this structure embedded in younger generations. Seeing a friend shy away from admitting to attending the Cambridge University Conservative Association (CUCA)’s freshers’ drinks last Friday – “I just have a society thing to go to… a politics society thing” – and being scoffed at for it in the buttery queue doesn’t exactly help this cause. I actually attended the event with her in the interest of seeing parallels between the emerging moderate faction of the Australian Liberal Party and the Tories, and while black tie ‘Port and Policy’ might not be entirely for me, I had some really interesting discussions about how a confused Britain might move on from Brexit.

I do wholly acknowledge that there is a considerable difference between being given a voice and given a stage to voice alternative views, particularly when identity and politics collide. But as equals, admitted to this academic institution on the sole grounds of achievement and potential, the dynamic between freedom and conformity, stereotypes and reality shouldn’t terrify or divide us. Yes, it should and will feel awkward, but this isn’t your Catholic primary school which banned the Twilight series. Contextualisation is key; discussion is key. This isn’t me condoning unjustifiable views and conduct. But, if there’s tension, debate it and see how things fare. More often than not things will fall into place.

So, start a dialogue. Perhaps that CUCA member isn’t a tweed-wearing, signet-ringed loafer enthusiast. Perhaps those who preach tolerance but only to the extent that it falls within their realm of understanding will actually step back and consider what others may perceive as inconsistencies in their arguments. Perhaps evil ideas will surface, but as the University Vice-Chancellor noted last week, good debate will put them down. Maybe political abstinences such as ‘I guess it has to be Hillary’ and ‘Trump the Republican is better than no Republican at all’ can all be seen as problematic standpoints for an array of reasons. No one is definitively right or wrong when a Rhodes scholar of African heritage expresses disgust at walking past a statue of Rhodes in Oxford.  

So, I am politically fluid and proud. It doesn’t make me flimsy, it doesn’t make me uninterested. There is a certain honesty in wondering exactly where you fall and being okay with not quite knowing. There’s a certain honesty in abusing opportunities for free wine and some sort of political discussion, however politically incorrect your relationship with the wine becomes. Embrace it.