Thursday 18th June 2026

Cherwell News

Tommy Robinson’s invitation to Oxford Union met with protest: Live updates

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, otherwise known as Tommy Robinson, is due to speak at the Oxford Union at 8.30 pm this evening at a debate on the motion “This House Believes the West is Right to be Suspicious of Islam”. The event has drawn condemnation from University societies, local politicians, and local faith leaders.

Oxford Union election count suspended amid electoral fraud allegations

he Oxford Union’s Trinity Term 2026 election count has been suspended after the Returning Officer identified substantial evidence of interference, before any ballot boxes were opened. 

Oxford Union town hall TT26: Meet the candidates 

With polls set to open for Oxford Union elections tomorrow, Friday 12th June, Cherwell spoke to the candidates running to be President in Hilary Term 2027. Milo Donovan and Prajwal Pandey discussed their vision for the society, the challenges facing the Union, and how they would respond to recent controversies surrounding speaker invitations and free speech.

Transgender rights protest in central Oxford following updated EHRC guidance

A march took place this afternoon in central Oxford in support of transgender rights, after new Code of Practice introduced by the UK’s Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). 

Gareth Lim elected Oxford Union President for Michaelmas 2026 in re-poll

A re-run of the election from Hilary term saw Lim beat Liza Barkova, Hamza Hussain and Victor André Marroquín for the position.

Oxford Union town hall HT26 re-run: Meet the candidates

A re-poll for the Oxford Union Presidency for Michaelmas 2026 is set to take place on Monday. Cherwell spoke to the candidates running about the state of the Union and their vision for the society.

Union President-Elect found guilty of electoral fraud by Tribunal

Catherine Xu, the Oxford Union’s President-Elect for Michaelmas 2026, has been permanently barred from holding office at the Society after an Election Tribunal found that she orchestrated a scheme to impersonate legitimate voters at the Hilary Term 2026 election.

Trade unions and students rally in Oxford to mark General Strike centenary

The march commemorated the anniversary of the 1926 General Strike. Those attending included the Oxford and District Trade Union Council, the University and College Union and students, including a group from the Oxford Labour Club.

Carl Benjamin disinvited from Oxford Union amid backlash from FemSoc and IHH

On Thursday, the Oxford Union held a debate on the motion ‘This House Believes That Being British is a ‘Birthright’, Not a Choice’. Carl Benjamin, who had been scheduled to speak, was disinvited from the event shortly before it took place. 

Exclusive: Oxford Union announces Trinity term card

Cherwell can exclusively reveal that former Home Secretary Sir James Cleverley, President of Goldman Sachs John E. Waldron, and rapper Tinie Tempah are all...

‘English Pride’ protest met by counter-protest at Bonn Square

Clashes broke out between an Oxfordshire Patriots demonstration and a counter-protest from anti-racist groups in central Oxford today, with both sides gathering in Bonn Square outside Westgate.

Timothée Chalamet appointed Visiting Professor of the Arts

The French-American actor Timothée Chalamet has been appointed Visiting Professor of the Arts for 2026-2027 at the University of Oxford. The Oscar-snubbed star of...

‘Our Feminism Knows No Borders’ protest on International Women’s Day 

Around a hundred protesters gathered at the Clarendon building this afternoon in an International Women’s Day protest entitled “Our Feminism Knows No Borders”. The...

Catherine Xu wins Oxford Union presidency for MT26

Catherine Xu running for the #TRUST slate has been elected Union President for Michaelmas Term 2026 with 629 first preferences, by a margin of...

Oxford Union town hall HT26: Meet the candidates

With polls open for the next set of Oxford Union elections on Friday, Cherwell spoke to candidates running to be President in Michaelmas 2026.

UKIP leader Nick Tenconi stages Cornmarket Street border control debate

Nick Tenconi, leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and Chief Operating Officer of Turning Point UK, visited Oxford today to take part in a public street debate on Cornmarket Street.

Oxford Union Librarian steps down following ‘racist’ comments

The Oxford Union Librarian, Brayden Lee, has stepped down from his role and announced that he will not be running for Presidency.

Rusu, Farhan, Quan, Kola-Balogun elected to SU leadership amid low turnout

The Oxford Students’ Union (SU) has announced the results of its 2026 election.

Arwa Elrayess elected Oxford Union President for Trinity 2026

Arwa Elrayess running for the #ENGAGE slate has been elected Union President for Trinity Term 2026 with 757 first preferences, by a margin of...

Students join demonstration to keep Campsfield House immigration detention centre closed

Approximately 50 protesters staged a demonstration outside the Campsfield House immigration detention centre in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, this afternoon. The protest included students from the...

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