Ben van der Merwe, Author at Cherwell

Union members to be polled on President’s impeachment after petition reaches threshold

Union members will be polled this Saturday on whether to impeach the society's President, Brendan McGrath, after 150 members signed a petition in support...

Oxford’s weapons research revealed

In 2017, with the Saudi-led blockade and bombing of Yemen at its height, a Pembroke Professor travelled to the UAE. He was there to advise the country's military leaders and Prime Minister, a dictator accused of war crimes by the UN, on military strategy.

Wilberforce Academy returns to Oxford

A controversial evangelical group with links to the far-right was quietly hosted at Wolfson College this September without the knowledge of the student...

Billionaire’s Oxford donation sparks protest

Blackstone has been accused of fuelling the housing crisis, the deforestation of the Amazon and the UK's social care crisis. An open letter is calling for full transparency over how this donation was processed.

UCAS promotes high-interest loans to desperate students

Future Finance loans can result in students repaying more than three times the original amount of their loan over a decade, regardless of their earnings.

Interview: Mike Gravel

On US empire, democracy, and running for president

Oxford ranked third after St Andrews, in Guardian league table

Oxford's lower ranking is a result of its poor performance in affordability and graduate outcomes, where it ranked 24th nationwide.

John Bolton: The case for a citizen’s arrest

While the Union’s courting of the far-right has brought protests and boycotts, Bolton’s visit has gone largely unremarked - but he represents an immediate threat to the lives of people of colour.

College crime hotspots revealed

Between January and March there was more crime near St Hilda’s, St Catherine’s and Nuffield than all other colleges combined.

University’s visa advice to student a potential breach of immigration law

The St Hilda's student was advised to use a tourist visa despite coming to the UK to study, a potential breach of immigration laws

Boycott campaign: Union using far-right to “further their own careers”

“We do not see fascism as a spectacle to be exploited for the amusement of the Union’s elite membership,” the letter states.

Living Wage scheme launches with only Campion Hall on board

Oxford was recently classed the least affordable city in the UK, with average weekly rental prices at £121.15, much higher than the national average of £87.68.

Former Nuffield fellow Noah Carl expelled from Cambridge

The investigation found that "Dr Carl had collaborated with a number of individuals who were known to hold extremist views"

BREAKING: Climate activist glues himself to Darwin statue in Natural History Museum

The activist was allegedly able to recite a poem for the onlookers before being removed from the statue by security guards, and detained by police outside the museum.

Gladiator II: A lack-lustre return to Rome

Review: Moth – ‘An unabashed, piercing piece of theatre’

Review: The Outrun

Blackfriars Fellow created a Cardinal by Pope Francis

Ben van der Merwe