This year’s local elections brought excellent results for the Liberal Democrats. With 30% of the vote, this was our strongest ever performance a nationwide election, helping take control of a further eleven councils, from both Labour and the Conservatives. Good news for the Lib Dems? Certainly! Less good news, however, is the very low proportion of people who chose to go the polling station to exercise their democratic right to cast a ballot. The consensus among the psephologists seems to be that two thirds of people who could have voted stayed at home. In some parts the country, only one in ten those entitled to vote actually did so. This should be of concern to those who care about participatory democracy – whether you’re Lib Dem, Labour, Tory or anything else. Among those least likely to have gone out and voted were – you guessed it – the young. Politicians across the spectrum have been throwing up their hands in recent years and wondering why. People of student age today are generally better educated, better informed and more well travelled than those of previous generations. While students in the 1960s were famed for their radicalism, students of today are labelled as apathetic. Some of this, of course, is crude stereotyping. There were many people in the 1960s who never protested against the Vietnam War – or indeed against anything at all. Similarly, the run up to the Iraq War showed that many of today’s young people care passionately about such issues. At the same time, it is all too easy to lump everyone together with the catch all phrase “young people” as if everyone aged 16 to 25 had homogenous thoughts and actions. This is clearly absurd. Nevertheless, it is true that those under 25 are voting less often today than ever before. Part of the problem undoubtedly lies with those of us who are elected to public office – whether that’s in the House of Commons, the local council or something else. Politics is still seen largely as the preserve of white, middle class, middle aged men. Our political institutions simply do not reflect the society in which we now live – a society which is more cosmopolitan and more ethnically and culturally diverse than at any time in our history: and for this the Liberal Democrats must take our share of the blame. Among our 53 MPs, only 5 are women and none are from an ethnic minority community. I am working hard to change this, and under no illusions that we must do better. Politicians have also been too lazy in actually reaching out to young people to bring them into the electoral process; having taken the rather easier option of writing them off as apathetic. In this regard hope that the Liberal Democrats can take more credit. Lib Dem Youth and Students are, I know, very active in trying to engage young people with politics – and not just with Lib Dem politics. Every year LDYS organise ‘Westminster Day’ when they invite thousands of Sixth Formers from across the country to meet and question politicians from all parties as well as members of media. The Liberal Democrats would also lower the voting age 16. Our political opponents have argued that 16 is too young to able to cast an informed vote. I disagree. If the State feels that 16 is appropriate age for you to join armed forces, get married and have children, then why shouldn’t you allowed to vote? If, at 16, you pay taxes then why on earth should you not have the right to elect Government that will spend those taxes? Someone once said that the public get the politicians they deserve. I’m not sure whether I’m the best person to argue the truth of this. But it is true to say that politics two-way street. We politicians must do more – much more – to try engage with voters. But the answer to having politicians the people don’t like, or a political system people find remote, should not be refuse to participate. Casting your vote is a much more powerful tool. The more you do, the more politicians will have to listen.
ARCHIVE: 2nd Week TT 2003

I am a Fellow and Geography Tutor at St Hugh’s; also the Wine Steward; and for some of my time, responsible for coordinating the recruitment of overseas students. This involves, in particular, setting up interviews in the Far East and North America for the 500 or more potential undergraduates who apply from those areas. First Week saw a mix of these responsibilities. On Tuesday and Friday, I was basically a Geographer, attending a seminar and a staff meeting; giving are vision class; and seeing a Second Year about his Dissertation. For the rest of the week – fitted around three lunchtime wine tastings – I was dealing with matters at the Admissions Office, starting with a staff meeting there. There are three major strands to the Admissions work at this time of year. First, revising all our websites and our printed literature, which includes material for Second BAs as well as ordinary undergraduate applicants. (This October, we shall hold Second BA interviews in New Delhi, for the first time, probably jointly with Cambridge.) We produce special web pages for applicants from the six interview centres including downloadable application forms . We have also developed an ‘Introduction to Oxford’ presentation, with a text in Chinese and English, which we feel will give brief but helpful overview of the University, for both graduate and undergraduate applicants from the Far East. Second, I have to assemble group of interviewers for the teams which, this year, will (SARS permitting) represent all the undergraduate Colleges in New Delhi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Beijing, Vancouver and New York. The Far East circuit involves a lawyer, an economist, an engineer and – this year, for Beijing – a mathematician. North America needs a linguist, a bioscientist and, for Second BAs in particular, another lawyer. I have to try and cajole people to come and then set up briefing meetings. This year, when all subjects are publicizing their selection criteria, we shall need consider how best to organise our interview report forms as well as our usual task of selecting passages for interviewees to read. Finally, I let the travel agents know what the itineraries will be. For this autumn, there will be nine travelling, only three of whom will be on precisely the same flights. Anything involving admissions is a non-stop operation and the emails are warming up especially from North America). It quite tricky to ‘explain the Oxford admissions process’ in a brief but clear fashion to overseas’ applicants: fortunately, my colleagues in the Oxford Colleges Admissions Office field a lot of straightforward queries. So it was a varied week. And having three offices can be a bit of a nuisance. But the walking is good for me. Barbara Kennedy is International Recruitment Officer for the University.ARCHIVE: 2nd Week TT 2003

Sir, Last week’s Cherwell (‘Censure for VP Finance?’, 2 May) suggested would be facing a censure motion for having spoken against OUSU policy at NUS conference. Although I suspect this issue is of little interest to the majority of your readers please allow me to set the record straight – I did not speak against OUSU policy at all. This whole episode is rather unfortunate. Firstly, Cherwell reported an allegation as fact which is simply unprofessional. Secondly, an OUSU Executive Officer has chosen to anonymously attack me in the press. This is cowardly and made worse by the fact that they were telling lies. Thirdly, I have a job to do, was elected by Oxford students to do it and it is a shame that small, disaffected and disingenuous clique seem intent on harrying and obstructing me in fulfilling my duties in my final term. Yours Sincerely, Sean Sullivan Vice-President (Finance) Oxford University Student UnionARCHIVE: 2nd Week TT 2003

Sir, Andrew Smith claims to have been ‘disappointed’ at the cancellation of yet another meeting at which he was due to actually interact with his constituents (‘MP fears attack’, 2 May). If he was so disappointed, then perhaps he could explain why he has consistently refused to accept an invitation put forward by the East Oxford Stop the War Coalition to debate the issues surrounding Labour’s foreign policy. Is it, perhaps, because he is worried that in any forum where he would actually have to face debate (rather than the same tired New Labour monologue), he would lose? I suspect Andrew Smith is fully aware that he and his party have lost any claim on principle they might once have possessed. His contempt for his East Oxford constituents is just another symptom of the arrogance of New Labour. Yours, Matt Sellwood, Green Party StudentsARCHIVE: 2nd Week TT 2003

Sir, I would like to set the record straight on the conduct of the schools which Richard Dawkins has attacked (‘Dawkins slams creationist schools’, 2 May). Your article wrongly stated that these schools reject evolutionary theory. What Emmanuel College and others actually do is clearly explain the possible theories which account for why we exist, including the eminently reasonable one that Personal God designed us and gave us personality. They then encourage the pupils to consider which might be right. For example, creationism perfectly compatible with a very old earth without implying that fullblown macro-evolution is correct. The Christians at Emmanuel College are so sure that Jesus is the Truth that they are very willing put His ideas out into the marketplace. Why does Dawkins want suppress sensible discussion? All of us studying in Oxford have a serious responsibility to be critical of all scientific research, even that of Pope Dawkins, in order to seek truth or, rather, The Truth, the One who, in astonishing love, has given us minds to consider these important questions about the Origin life itself and has offered us new life through his death on a cross and resurrection in history. Yours Faithfully, Josh Hordern, New CollegeARCHIVE: 2nd Week TT 2003

Sir, Congratulations Cherwell on your fabulous Cw arts/features pullout! As well as your sexy layout and gorgous pix, I just love John Kettle’s ‘On the Town’ column! It’s high time this University’s main student paper had a supplement that combines sharp writing with killer looks. You guys totally pull it off. May I voice my concerns however at your misogynistic and outmoded ‘Fit Sportswoman of the Week’. It is exploitative, tacky, and demeaning to all the independent women working their bollocks off to get a degree here. You are celebrating male chauvanism above female sporting achievement. Naughty Cherwell! Yours, Sanchez Cohen, KebleARCHIVE: 2nd Week TT 2003

Sir,I’d like to pick the ever-inaccurate Evelyn (‘John Evelyn’, 2 May) up on a couple of points. Firstly, the game to which he refers is known as ‘Deer Hunter’ (it was, as every fool knows, the inspiration for Scorcese’s film of the same name which transplanted the game to Vietnam) and secondly I looked like a twat, not a ‘nob’. As for his baffling “faerie queene” I can only assume that this refers not to my sexuality (as a healthy and noble demonstration of masculinity the game itself dates back to the Anglo- Saxon mead-hall and is cited in the lost passages of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight) but to my renowned literary prowess. I remain yours &c.,Patrick Hennessey, BalliolARCHIVE: 2nd Week TT 2003

The Lifesaving Club took the plunge in Bristol this Saturday for their final competition of the year. A disappointing 7th on the day was still enough to ensure a respectable 4th in the overall league standings. The side now look forward to a beach event later this term, held in conjunction with Boscombe Lifeguards, which should see as many as 10 universities transfer their pool skills to use in the sea. Meanwhile, the windsurfers have enjoyed an excellent year. Following Varsity defeat, the side recovered to collect two prizes in the Nationals in Calshot near Southampton. The ‘Cowboys and Indians’ post-match party proved just as rewarding for the team who are known to frequent the Lamb and Flag on their Tuesday night socials. A tremendous individual performance from Jesus’ Ed Catmur was the highlight of a fantastic display from the orienteering team in the BUSA Championships at Sheffield. Catmur snatched joint second overall, supported by strong runs from Oli Mytton and Jaime Reed. Meanwhile the ladies produced an equally impressive result: the team of Pippa Whitehouse, Becky Carlyle and Christine Jones collected bronze medals in the hard-fought relay. Whitehouse could well be in line for a British call-up, following her particularly strong leg. The Middlesex Club Sevens saw semi-final heartache for the OURFC boys. After conquering Rosslyn Park in the quarters, the side collapsed beneath the Fijian-inspired brilliance of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and slumped to a 28-7 defeat. Nevertheless, Director of Rugby Steve Hill praised the side on their early performances within the competition. In other rugby news, the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice secured the College Sevens title with a 24-19 victory over a battling Oriel. One man who is definitely out of his step with his team-mates is boxing captain Philip Mosley. During the off-season, Mosley’s fitness regime has taken him to new extremes. “I don’t know what the other guys are doing to stay fit, but as for myself, apart from a bit of running, I am in hard training for Dance Cuppers in 4th week,” the Univ student told Cherwell. “Yeah, hardcore. No it wasn’t my idea…And I can’t dance either.”

Though the Boat Race attracts London’s antipodean community and the Varsity Rugby fills Twickenham, surely the finest day of sport in the Oxford calendar took place Saturday 3rd May. Set in the glorious Parks, Mixed Lacrosse Cuppers provided a day of unmatched sporting and social entertainment. With a World Cup-style format there were two initial group stages from whence two teams would progress. The first pool instantly won the alias of the ‘Group of Death’ given the presence of Hertford, Teddy Hall and wildcard danger St Catz. To the uninitiated that means reigning champions (Hertford), eventual winners (Teddy Hall) and most improved this year (Catz) – essentially France, Brazil and Senegal all in the same group. In the first game of the tournament Catz led only to be pegged back by a brave Hall surge securing both sides a valuable point apiece. Hertford would go on to convincing wins over Worcester and St Anne’s stamping their authority on the group. This meant Catz and Hall would have to scrap over the remaining placein order to go through. Meanwhile in the other group Magdalen did well to whip their confident if not experienced troops into shape. They would go on to progress alongside the strong but college-heavy collective Wadham-Exeter-Hilda’s. The ‘Group of Death’ would prove to be complicated toresolve. A last gasp Hertford equaliser against Teddy Hall secured their qualification spot meaning Catz and Hall needed a playoff to separate the two teams. Inspired by the eye-catching Jen Myatt, Hall proved too good for Catz. The semi–finals saw a shock as Hertford were knocked out by Wadham-Exeter-Hilda’s. In the other semi Hall sent a warning out by thrashing Magdalen fivenil. With flair going forward and a solid back line held together by Rich Stubley they went into the final with confidence. The final saw Hall defeat Wadham-Exeter-Hilda’s to confirm the widely held suspicion that they were the best team this year. However the victory wasn’t achieved easily as this match up turned out to be the most dramatic of the day. After the regulation ten minutes of normal time the scores were deadlocked and extra time was called upon. It was in those five minutes that Hall pulled out all the stops to produce a two-nil victory. Player of the tournament was surely Ruth Evans who exemplified the skill and determination of Teddy Hall. “The team showed a great deal of flair,” top goal scorer Jessica Hatcher told Cherwell. “We had not practised much together beforehand but worked well as a team on the day.” Next year this event will surely get bigger and better. What finer way to represent your college and build friendships than in this superb tournament? Well done to organiser Debashish Biswas and congratulations to everyone that took part.