Cambridge University Labour Club

Chair: Phelim Brady   

I don’t believe party politics is dead in Cambridge; if anything, partisanship is on the rise.

It’s no surprise that in the final years of the last government the Labour Club struggled to recruit large numbers. But now we have had a taste of Conservative government, and the Lib Dems have shown us their true colours, interest in Labour is growing.

Over the summer we’ve had freshers joining CULC in droves online, before they’ve even arrived in Cambridge. Second and third years who’ve never previously thought to be involved are now coming to us for the first time. Last year CULC had one of its best ever attended freshers’ squashes which we intend to best this year. This demonstrates the strength of feeling among many new students that this government isn’t on their side, and now the challenge for us is to take that initial enthusiasm and make sure people keep coming back and get involved with the club.

One reason we’re seeing such a surge in CULC membership is that after three years of Tory government more people are seeing the old adage ‘all politicians are the same’ for what it is - a lie that serves only to promote apathy and maintain the status quo. Politicians may often disappoint us, but this is no reason to abdicate the duty we all have to take part in governing ourselves.

I understand why some people have misgivings about student party politics, but I think that these feelings are informed more by caricatures of what we are than by the reality.

CULC is a campaigning organisation, and the club has a proud history of work on the Living Wage, ethical investment, bursaries and elections. But we’re also a social organisation, a place for students with shared convictions and values to come together, socialise and debate, and every term we host a variety of speakers.

While I believe in the importance of party politics, I also think the growth of single-issue campaigns and charities in Cambridge should be celebrated. Like many, I’ve been involved with fundraising and volunteering. But having said this, none of us can escape party politics. International development, the environment, human rights, social justice, gender equality, poverty, education - these are all issues that are party political, and all issues that CULC members care about.

Whether you’re a fresher or a finalist I hope you’ll join us this term.

More information about CULC and termcard can be found here

Cambridge University Conservative Association

Chair elect: James Mottram

For students, as for any citizen in our democracy, politics is vitally important, and from my experience over the last few years most students understand this. However, the importance of party politics is much more limited, and rightly so. At university age, an interest to political issues should include a certain openness, a willingness to explore new ideas and to challenge our own pre-existing beliefs. Some people may already know they are right-wing, or left-wing, but for everyone interested in politics exposure to a range of views is important – university is about learning and discovery, and this is as true in politics as it is in academia. Exploring political issues, and teasing out one’s own beliefs, is an important part of becoming a fully responsible citizen, and the more who embrace the opportunities their university years offer to do this, the better.

Party politics, on the other hand, is certainly not for everyone. Some will not yet be sure what exactly they believe; others will either find that no party represents them to their satisfaction, or that they simply don’t feel enough commitment to a particular party to be interested in activism on its behalf. In this respect, students represent the general public, who are increasingly turning away from organised political parties. University societies should respond to this reality by emphasising their role in offering interesting speakers, policy debates, or politically-oriented social events; in my experience CUCA, along with the other Cambridge political societies, have done well at serving students in this regard.

For those students who do feel a commitment to a particular party, the idea of a ‘youth wing’ can be questionable. Those few of us who want to campaign for a party can do so at a local level on equal terms with those who have been members for decades, but organisations such as Conservative Future represent a worrying trend. Not only is the idea of a ‘youth wing’ patronising to young people, but it contributes to the rise of careerism, fostering politicians who place party above principle. This trend, which alienates many people, particularly at university age, from our political system, is certainly not healthy for our democracy; nor, does it seem, is it healthy for our parties. Politically-inclined students should appreciate how lucky they are that the Cambridge political scene places ideas ahead of careerism.

More information about CUCA and termcard can be found here

Cambridge Student Liberal Democrats

Chair: Fergus Blair 

Student politics has a reputation as something of an insular, narrow-minded pursuit. Which is strange really, when you consider that the art of politics is, essentially, the art of connecting with people.

So student politics shouldn't be about creating distance – it should be about connecting people. And often it is. While campaigning around Cambridge, I've had the chance to have conversations with MPs, county councillors, university alumni and local residents. I've learnt about what people with completely different backgrounds to my own care about. I've had discussions far more stimulating than anything you'll find in the seminar room.

To my mind at least, there's no doubt that student politics connects university life to the real world in a way that few other pursuits can. But perhaps it hasn't been particularly good at connecting students to other students. There seems to be a perception of the student political societies as something of an ivory tower, detached from and irrelevant to those looking in from outside.

That's probably related to another, increasingly popular, idea; that party politics is itself an irrelevant activity. Why bother joining a party when you can campaign on the issues themselves? Why tie yourself down to a bunch of white men in suits – who'll all betray you eventually anyway – when there are causes that need their champions?

If that is the prevailing attitude right now, then it's a shame. Maybe you don't appreciate it till you've actually been out there in the trenches, so to speak, but the sheer number of people that parties can reach out to is staggering, as is the dedication of some of their members. Moreover, joining a party doesn't suddenly mean you have to start towing the line on every issue. I can't speak for every party, but within the Lib Dems at least members have a huge number of opportunities to have their voice heard and for them to shape party policy, rather than be shaped by it.

So if this sort of anti-establishment feeling is a common attitude, it tells me that we – that is, the members and organisers of student political societies – are doing something wrong. On behalf of all of us: I'm sorry and I want to fix that. The culture of student politics should be better – and hopefully, once enough of us recognise that, and once enough of you can see that we've recognised that, it will be. 

More infromation about CSLD and termcard can be found here