With polls open for the next set of Oxford Union elections on Friday, Cherwell spoke to candidates running to be President in Michaelmas 2026. Cherwell reached out to all four candidates.
Catherine Xu, Hamza Hussain, Gareth Lim, and Liza Barkova spoke about the current state of the Oxford Union, their vision for their presidency, and their reasons for running. Liza Barkova was also contacted for an interview.
Cherwell understands that this term’s election is unlike previous elections, both because of the high number of candidates and because two of them are running independently.
Introduce yourself briefly.
Catherine: I’m Catherine Xu. I am a postgraduate at Saïd Business School and Treasurer at the Oxford Union. I’ve worked in impact investing, and I’m also involved in community-building at Oxford through running a meditation society and actually running marathons to fundraise for charities.
Hamza: Hi, I’m Hamza, a final year History and Politics student at Christ Church. I previously served on the Union’s Standing Committee.
Gareth: Hello! I’m Gareth Lim, former Chair of Competitive Debating at the Oxford Union and 3rd year Law student at St Peter’s College.
Liza: Hey, my name is Liza and I am a second-year PPE student at Christ Church. I have served on the Union Committee three times, including Junior Appointed committee, Secretary’s Committee, and Standing Committee.
Why are you running to be President?
Catherine: I’m running because the Union gave me a real sense of belonging when I first arrived in the UK. It was one of the first places where people cared more about what I had to say than what I looked like or sounded like. But lately, I sense many members feel that trust in that vision has eroded, and I want to rebuild that #TRUST.
Hamza: I am running to be President because I care about what the Union is meant to be: a serious forum for debate and advocacy. These are traditions worth defending. Without the Union’s values of free speech, debate, and giving a voice to all, voices like mine and my family’s would never have been heard.
I grew up in a domestic violence refuge, a safehouse for women and children fleeing abuse, and later in social housing in the area with the highest rate of child poverty in the country. From the age of ten, I also acted as a young carer to family members living with chronic health conditions. I have advocated for women and children facing domestic abuse through my fundraising of over £20,000 for the charity Refuge, in an award-winning campaign recognised by its CEO.
Gareth: I’m running because I believe that those who can serve, must serve. If the Union is to remain fit for purpose, it needs a fresh start. I’ve never run in a Union-wide election before, never sent a hack message, and am running as an independent. I believe that my competence, character and commitment make me the best candidate.
Liza: Why I’m running – I come from a country where free speech is often suppressed by the government regime. The Union was the first place where I found that people truly believe that their opinions can matter on an international scale. That experience made a profound impression on me. The Union has an extraordinary platform, but its success ultimately depends on how well it serves the members who use it today. For me, this election is about INSPIRING a culture that genuinely welcomes all opinions.
Which manifesto commitment are you most passionate about?
Catherine: The Access Membership Fund. Membership shouldn’t depend on your bank balance. If we’re serious about being a Union for all students, we need a real mechanism to remove financial barriers. I’ve already begun work on securing early funding and building a structure that can endure beyond one term.
Hamza: Rather than making big promises, I want to focus on institutional stability, especially in light of the Union’s precarious finances. The focus for a Michaelmas President has to be a successful membership drive, which will only be possible with stable leadership and the avoidance of unnecessary drama.
Gareth: Pushing Competitive Debating! Not everyone needs to go to competitions, but the whole point of the Union is to give everyone a chance to sharpen their public speaking and critical thinking skills. Not many people realise that we run free training sessions every Monday at 7pm! (This includes non-union members) Of course, the Union already gives members opportunities to participate in Emergency Debates, but speaking in the chamber for a start can be a daunting experience. At Beginners training, we focus on giving everyone 5-7 minutes where they can deliver their own speech, where their voices are guaranteed to be heard before giving every speaker individualised feedback.
I spent at least 4 terms coaching our competitive squads and I’ve seen participants grow so much over the course of a term. Students at Oxford are some of the smartest in the world and I think it’s a real shame if we don’t train to let ourselves be heard in the best possible way.
Liza: I am most passionate about the pledge for financial revival.
I have a number of ideas for strengthening the Union’s financial structure so that our events have generous budgets while also remaining financially sustainable. This is not a simple task and we cannot perform miracles overnight, but there are realistic steps we can take. One of the most important is building stronger long-term relationships with Union alumni. The Union has an extraordinary network of former members across politics, business, media, and academia. By reconnecting with that network we can both raise funds and create new opportunities for speakers, mentorship, and engagement with current members. Strengthening those connections would be a reliable and sustainable way to support the Union financially.
What do you like the least about the Oxford Union in its current form?
Catherine: I think for me, it’s the loss of trust. Trust that decisions are made fairly, that concerns are taken seriously, and that the Union is welcoming to all members and not just those who feel entitled to the space. The Union is way bigger than its scandals, but the perceived dysfunction keeps drowning out the good. I want to help fix that.
Hamza: Throughout my time at the Union, I have seen factional politics come before the interests of the members. I am running as an independent candidate precisely because I want to avoid the factionalism that has led the Union to its current position.
Gareth: The Atmosphere. It always seems like there’s something brewing, just in time for the next election. I’ve had members tell me that they feel un-welcome at the Union and so they end up not utilising their membership to its fullest extent. (Which they should! It costs a fortune)
Part of the reason is that the elections are often decided by Slate Politics and a network of close connections that have been built up over years. It’s really hard to break into that as a new member who just wants to get the most of their membership and it’s easy to feel as though you’re not really involved in the running of the society.
As a candidate who hasn’t run in a union-wide election, who never planned to run for Office and just wants to run the Union from the perspective of an ordinary member. I hope to change that and remove that cynicism.
Liza: What I like least is that some members who run for elections become too focused on winning the election itself and lose sight of what the role of an elected committee member actually is.
Elections are part of what makes the Union unique, but they should never overshadow the core mission of the society: hosting outstanding debates and speakers for our members.
If elected, I would try to move the culture of the Union away from internal politics and refocus it on delivering events that members are genuinely excited to attend and participate in.
What do you admire most about your opponents?
Catherine: Their resilience and commitment. Running for Union president is probably more intense than some public offices so it takes real determination to keep showing up. I may have different priorities and a different style of leadership, but I respect the effort and courage it takes to run. You have to care for the place and be committed. I respect that.
Hamza: Their commitment to the Society and the courage they have shown in putting themselves forward for the Presidency. My fellow candidates have all dedicated time and energy to the Union, and I respect anyone who cares about the Society and is willing to serve it.
Gareth: Their time management skills! When I decided to run for President, I had no idea what I was getting into. Running a campaign is an exhausting, stressful and time-consuming experience.
I have no idea how some of my opponents are managing to run their slates, focus on their academics and have time for hobbies and friends at the same time. The fact that the other Presidential candidates have done this multiple times is truly mind-boggling, they must have crazy productivity routines.
Liza: I have a great deal of respect for everyone running in this election.
Catherine Xu has impressive professional experience. She entered the presidential race at a late stage and has demonstrated strong leadership in bringing her campaign team together.
Gareth Lim is an exceptional speaker and an extremely skilled debater.
Hamza Hussain has a clear sense of purpose and has devoted a great deal of time to charitable work, which is always important in someone who wants to hold a position of leadership.
Give an example of one debate and one speaker event you’d most like to hold in your term.
Catherine: As someone who’s worked in social impact and venture capital, I’d like to host a serious, solutions-focused climate debate: ‘This House believes decarbonisation should be framed primarily as an economic strategy rather than an environmental obligation.’ On speakers, I’d love to invite Sir Ronald Cohen. He’s widely regarded as a pioneer of impact investment. I think he represents a model of leadership we all can learn from: leveraging ambition and resources to help deliver real-world change.
Hamza: One debate I would love to host is ‘This House believes the British education system is not fit for purpose’. The Union is a student society and should tackle issues that directly affect students.
A speaker I would really like to host at the Union is the Oscar-winning actor Riz Ahmed. I admire his reflections on diaspora identity in Britain.
Gareth: So many possibilities! I’ve always wanted to host a good philosophy debate that tackles the cynicism of our times. Not to mention we have access to so many good speakers for such a topic right here in Oxford.
Debate: ‘This house believes that Morality is Objective.’
In terms of speaker events, I LOVE Cunk on Earth. It would be cool to bring Diane Morgan to the Union. I can’t decide if I would like her to remain in character for the interview though…
Liza: For a speaker event, I would love to host Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase. As one of the most influential figures in global finance, he has played a central role in shaping discussions around financial regulation, economic stability, and the future of global markets. An event with him would provide students interested in business, finance, and public policy with valuable insight into leadership and decision-making at the highest level.
For a debate, I would be interested in hosting a motion such as “This House Believes there is a better solution to government than democracy” which explorespolitical polarisation, and declining trust in institutions are putting pressure on democratic systems and raising questions about their ability to govern effectively in the 21st century.
How will you make the Union a more welcoming environment for ordinary members?
Catherine: By making the Union easier to enjoy without needing to be a “hack” or insider. That means: no more pre-debate disruption, more women speakers, and more events that feel social and accessible for members who want community, fun, mentorship, or opportunities and not just late-night politics. Think a play in the Chamber, alumni socials, and networking that ordinary members can actually use!
Hamza: Members care about interesting speakers and events that run smoothly. They do not care about factional politics. I believe the best way to create a more welcoming environment is to ensure governance is about the Union and not political manoeuvring. Members pay for events, not infighting. They deserve value for their money.
Gareth: To be Seen! The winning candidate for this election will be the President in MT 26. Michaelmas is arguably the most important term as it sets the tone for the rest of the year and for many members’ first term in Oxford. In that vein, I intend to hold as many Office Hours as possible to let members know that I’m willing to hear and understand their concerns. I think it’s especially important to have a President who’s willing to walk the ground and engage with ALL members.
It’s just as important for a President who is capable of speaking clearly and confidently to communicate the Union’s direction to its members and to put their foot down when things get unwelcoming. As the 5th best speaker in the World, I believe that I have the requisite skill-set to give a confident and welcoming image to the Union.
Liza: First, we need to improve how the Union is perceived publicly. Members do not want to feel that they are walking into an institution constantly surrounded by scandal. We should actively highlight the positive work of the Union our debates, our speakers, and our intellectual culture which will naturally attract more members and participation.
Second, communication matters. Members should know what is happening at the Union and feel invited to attend, rather than feeling that events are designed only for a small group of insiders. I would appoint more liaison representatives who could help publicise events across different communities and colleges and try to bring in more members who tend to be less involved.
What will you do to protect members of the Union from racism and abuse, and make the Union a welcoming space for all members?
Catherine: Racism and harassment have no place in the Union. Free speech must go together with member safety and dignity. I’d strengthen trusted reporting routes, ensure fast and fair investigations, and make sure the Union actively supports members who face abuse, so the burden doesn’t fall on the person being targeted.
Hamza: As a British Pakistani, I am fully aware of the consequences of racism and how members of this Society can be unfairly targeted as a result of it. I believe that everyone, especially elected members of the Society, should be held to a high standard and be accountable for their words and actions. No one should be subject to personal abuse, intimidation or harassment.
During my time, concerns about racism in the Union have been raised repeatedly. Statements and motions alone are not enough. Members must have confidence that reports will be taken seriously and dealt with fairly. What is needed is a change in culture, led by the President, which creates mutual respect and understanding, allowing all members to participate fully in the Society.
Gareth: I intend to never work with racists or those who work with racists and to make strong statements condemning those who engage in such statements. This is a free speech society and members are entitled to their views, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not entitled to mine that I will never work with racists.
This one really gets my goat. The Union has mired itself in scandal and declared itself racist umpteenth times but nothing ever changes! It all strikes me as deeply performative and tokenistic.
The core issue is that many (not all) elected officials feel the need to get votes from those who hold problematic views to get elected. So they refuse to take a firm stance when it is absolutely the right thing to do. I don’t have this issue because I’m running as an independent and frankly don’t care enough to win future elections to sell my soul for it. That way, as president, I need only listen to my conscience and the members.
On a separate note, it’s so important to nuance condemning those who do wrong and ruining people’s lives. I’ve seen first hand how quickly we smear those who might have spoken out of turn. This is, at the end of it all, a student society. We need to condemn those who do wrong, support those who do right, leave young people with the chance to grow and move on.
Liza: Racism and harassment have absolutely no place in the Oxford Union.
Racism must be called out clearly and without hesitation, even when doing so may be uncomfortable. At the same time, we need systems that allow concerns to be addressed properly within the institution.
However, this also means ensuring that reporting processes are clear, transparent, and taken seriously, so that members feel supported and confident that complaints will be handled appropriately. No member should feel that the only way to achieve change is to expose issues through the media.
Anything else you might like to add?
Catherine: Elections shouldn’t be about drama: it should be about whether members can trust a candidate to make the Union work. I’m running to rebuild #TRUST: financially, culturally, and practically. I want [to] make the Union feel worth joining again.
Hamza: I chose to run for President because not doing so would be a disservice to those growing up in circumstances like my own who were not afforded the same opportunities that brought me here.
Gareth: Yes! You should vote according to who you believe is the best candidate and not what someone else told you. At some point either today or tomorrow (whenever this interview is released), you might be inundated with messages from those running for elections asking you to vote for them and those on their slate. If your friend is running, you should support them with everything you’re willing to give. But you should never vote for someone else just because your friend tells you to vote for them. Read ALL the Manifestos.
I believe that my organisational experience, character and fresh perspective make me the best candidate for the Presidency. I hope to have your vote, but will be just as happy if you let your own voice be heard through your ballot!
Liza: I have stood through many things that happened in the Union and have seen its effects and consequences. What I found is that the culture of the Union is built around the people who contribute to it. Together with my team, I want to inspire a culture of integrity among its people, I hope that the institution as a whole can improve as well.
Find the candidate’s manifestos here:
Long Manifestos: https://bit.ly/40H03FE
Short Manifestos: https://bit.ly/4b9KOtY
