Five members of Oxford University Labour Club (OULC) were invited for a tour of 10 Downing Street this week, following their successful campaigning work during Trinity term.
“This is the first time the Labour Club have been invited to 10 Downing Street,” said Charlotte Carnegie, co-Chair of OULC for Hilary term.
OULC is the biggest student Labour Club in Britain. Over the past two terms, OULC’s speakers have included Alistair Campbell, David Miliband, Jack Straw, Peter Mandelson, Harriet Harman and Ken Livingstone.
Carnegie described what happened at Number 10. “We had the chance to see Gordon Brown’s main office as well as Tony Blair’s former office, which was quite different, with armchairs and sofas. Then we went to the second floor where Margaret Thatcher worked; every Prime Minister seemed to have their specific way of working with a different room layout. We bumped into Peter Mandelson and Ed Balls. We also saw Gordon Brown’s son, which reminded us that 10 Downing Street is a family home as well as offices.”
Hannah Cusworth, co-Chair of OULC for Hilary term commented, “In Trinity we did a lot of canvassing and worked from 5am until 10pm on the day of the local and European elections.” She added, “I think the Party values the fact that we’re working to help Labour on a national scale, not just having drinks.”
Oliver Harvey, President of the Oxford Conservative Association (OCA) commented, “OCA have always had very strong links with the national Party. We hope they feel that we are a valuable addition to the campaigning force.”
Harvey wished to add that “OCA have also been to Downing Street, to deliver a petition about the health care of ex-service men and women. We were then hosted by Lord Freeman, a Conservative Peer, at the House of Lords.”
