The Politics of PolSocs

Student Politics at the University of Cambridge has a long and variable history. Each of the 4 major political societies in the University boast their singularity as the political society for its members. Founded in 1886, the Cambridge University Liberal Society boasts being the oldest. Cambridge University Conservative Association (CUCA) asserts its place as the ‘largest and most active political society’ in the University. Cambridge University Labour Club (CULC) prides itself on being the ‘Home to Left Wing Politics’; yet, the newest politics society Cambridge University Left Society (UCLS) disputes this, claiming they form the ‘new home for left student politics’ on the University Scene. 

While it is indisputable that every political society has its own legacy, its own political perspectives and its own distinct contribution to Cambridge’s active political scene, together they form an adversarial and formative space for students from across the political spectrum to discuss, debate and (notably) drink as a collective. At a glance the ‘PolSocs’ bear no ideological similarity – to one not involved in the Political landscape at Cambridge it would seem slightly incomprehensible that an active member of UCLS would be a regular attendant at CUCA or vice versa. Yet, despite this ideological divide the political landscape at Cambridge rests on a deeper premise: one of debate and familiarity. 

With this in mind, this Michaelmas Per Capita Media brought Cambridge’s Political societies together for a Question Time in the Bateman Auditorium of Gonville and Caius college, chaired by Anusha Salhan and Charlie Windle. Here the leaders of CUCA, CULC, CULA, UCLS and the Cambridge University United Nations Association (CUUNA) debated domestic politics, international relations and student politics itself with the aim of bringing together cross-party debate and restoring nuance to political disagreement and discussion. At Per Capita Media we believe that voices across the political spectrum should be given equal opportunity to be platformed, agreed with or opposed and in this spirit, after the event we caught up with Oscar Paulson (Chair of CULC), Jack Peters (Chair of CULA), Rares Cocilnau (Chair of UCLS), Daniel Volborth (Chair of CUCA) and Ted Yip (Chair of CUUNA) to hear their reflections on the purpose, power and pitfalls of student politics. Each piece, written by the chairs of PolSocs themselves, edited by Per Capita Media, offers a unique and an honest glimpse behind the veil of university political life, from the ideology behind the organisations to the everyday realities of being part of the party political scene in Cambridge.