With the termly set of Oxford Union elections imminent, Cherwell spoke to both candidates vying to become President, Chris Collins and Moosa Harraj, to hear from them about their motivation for running, their plans if they win, and what their favourite thing about each other is…
Introduce yourself briefly.
Chris: I’m Chris, I’m from London, and I’m a final-year Classicist at Corpus Christi. I had the thrill of being the Union’s Secretary last year and I’ve served seven terms on its Standing Committee.
Moosa: I’m Moosa Harraj, a second-year at Balliol studying an MPhil in Economics, and the current Librarian of the Oxford Union.
Why are you running for President?
Chris: The Union holds a uniquely special place in Oxford and in my heart. I love it, and I love you [sic]. In four years in this Society, I’ve seen it at its best and at its worst. I’m running for President because I believe we can – and we must – do better than the disorganisation and division that we’ve seen in recent months.
The Union must be a debating chamber, not an echo chamber, which fairly represents the whole spectrum of views. I want the Union to be a fun and inviting social space at the heart of Oxford life, reaching out to our community and bringing people in.
Moosa: When I was growing up in Pakistan, the country was under a military regime – an environment where free speech was stifled, and independence of thought discouraged. Coming from that, the exhilaration I felt when I sat on the front bench watching Nancy Pelosi speak on democracy was life-changing.
These experiences have made me truly appreciate the empowerment that comes from freedom of speech. I want to bring that to all the members, no matter where they come from, and that’s why I am running for President.
What experience do you have outside the Union?
Chris: I’m delighted to have been JCR Vice President of [Corpus Christi College], and I’m currently President of one of Oxford’s largest political societies.
Moosa: I have experience leading other student societies. As an undergraduate, I was the President of a London University International Development Society and arranged a development symposium.
I also have professional experience that I think is really worth highlighting. Having worked in the accounts team of a business with a £70 million turnover, I believe I have the experience necessary for managing the finances of the Oxford Union.
If you could only keep one of your manifesto pledges, which would it be?
Chris: I’d love to make the cost of membership more affordable, particularly through introducing an option to pay by instalments. We need to remember that people pay a huge amount to join, and we should concentrate on giving them value for their money with luxurious facilities and unforgettable events.
Moosa: I would have to say ensuring financial stability and expanding opportunity. Unfortunately, the Union is in a precarious financial situation. We have just celebrated our bicentenary, so to ensure that we are around for another 200 years, I would develop partnerships with businesses, alumni, and institutions, and secure more external corporate sponsorships.
What’s something you would change about the Union?
Chris: Instead of focusing on delivering great events for our members and debating the issues that matter, the Union has become consumed by internal factionalism and petty student politics.
We need to be genuinely open to, and tolerant of, those of all backgrounds and beliefs, and we have to learn from the mistakes of the last couple of terms. Oxford should be proud of the Union, not embarrassed of it.
Moosa: Right now, we have access membership for those who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, however, for some even that sum is too hefty on a student budget. Therefore, I want to launch a sponsored union scholarship programme where we partner with businesses, our alumni, and other institutions to further subsidise students who really need it to become members.
Furthermore, I am really proud to have started the work on this already this term, helping introduce access rates for postgraduate students, which previously they did not have access to.
Name something you admire about your opponent.
Chris: Moosa is a driven candidate, and I know he cares about the Union immensely. I think the emphasis he puts in his manifesto on the power of truth in the face of an oppressive regime is an invaluable insight into just how much free speech matters.
I wish him the best of luck, though, of course, not too much luck!
Moosa: I think that Chris is very driven; he really does not give up when he sets his mind to something!
If you could invite three speakers during your term, who would they be?
Chris: President Zelenskyy, Meryl Streep, and Serena Williams.
Moosa: Angela Merkel, Sam Altman, Timothée Chalamet.
What’s one debate you would host during your term?
Chris: “This House believes that AI will kill the creative industries.”
Moosa: “This House Welcomes a Multipolar World Order.”
Anything else you want to add?
Chris: I’m lucky to have seen the Union from many different angles. I arranged its elections as Returning Officer, I’ve served on the Finance and Access Committees, and I’m particularly proud to be the only Presidential candidate to have served on the committee that organises our competitive debating.
Wherever you come from, and whatever you study, I hope that the Union can offer you a second home.
Moosa: The Union is a really special place. It is where I’ve found some of my closest friends, and had some truly special experiences and I’ve given a huge amount of my life to it. Just over the last year, I have worked more shifts, scrutinised more budgets, organised more events and worked more vacation days than any other Presidential candidate.
It’s this experience that I think best places me to serve this institution that I love, as your President. But I also think that the Union is all about democracy, so at the end of the day all I can say is that I hope on Friday people come out and play their own role in shaping this wonderful Union which we all share.
