Tuesday 21st October 2025

Opinion

Dear summer school snobs, please pipe down

You might not like it, but in an era of rising financial pressures for the university sector, summer schools are not just harmless – they are essential.

Embracing AI undermines academia

By facilitating copious AI usage, the University fails to deliver on its centuries-long tradition of encouraging original thought. 

Let’s critique what protesters do, not who they are

I may not agree with all of their tactics, but I am grateful for those who make sure that our University is on the right side of history.

Outreach shouldn’t stop at Hadrian’s Wall

In a Britain that claims to be a “United” Kingdom, having only two-dozen Scottish state schoolers at its best university does much to foster division.

Totally Major

Theo Merz meets John Major. Also known as the one before Blair, but after Thatcher.

‘We are all slaves to carbon’

Intellectual leaders are needed to set an example of restraint

Cameron’s great mistake

If the first rule of a political campaign is ‘never give a sucker an even break', David Cameron has clearly failed to abide by...

I’m no femme fatale

Lose the stereotypes and let's have a proper argument says Izzy Boggild-Jones

The road ahead for Sri Lanka’s president

Electoral success for the Tiger-slayer, but what next?

Religion, condoms, and bears

Henry Carr weighs up the Catholic Church and Revolution Islam

The 80s are back

Unions are the reactionary force controlling the Labour Party

Not so hung up on Dave

Cameron's attack on PR makes him either a fear-mongering hypocrite or an idiot. We shouldn't be swayed from electoral reform.

Arms and ‘The Man’

Make your money how you like, but don't tell us weapons are socially responsible

Been there, don that

The intimate adventures of an Oxford tutor

Bill Clinton, cultural landmark

Peter Sissons talks to the former US President about Oxford, the UK Election...and Peter Sissons

Some Vague Opinions about Politics

Cherwell’s gonzo columnist flails about in the quagmire of his own willful ignorance

Muhammad in a bear suit? Not offensive

South Park's latest 'outrage' has predictably brought death threats, but the violent only have themselves to blame.

TV debates: who’s got the X factor?

New Statesman's Jon Bernstein gives the inside view on leadership head-to-heads, web campaigning and the future of British politics

Is the Pope a Catholic?

'The tempter came to him' (Mat.4:3): In the aftermath of the holy weekend Henry Carr wonders what the Papacy is all about.

The Budget: ‘It’s Politics, stupid’

Unexciting, uninspiring and potentially redundant. But it still knocked the Tories for six, says Thomas Kidney

Abuse of our attention

Twee internet campaigns are demeaning and detract from any real seriousness, says Sofia Abasolo

Love Music Hate Racism

Antonia Tam takes a look at the campaign encouraging people to use their vote and keep out the BNP

Guest Columnist: Chris Tennant

Modern society engages in false consciousness

Notes from the Underground

Music journalist Simon Reynolds talks about the joy of being a bit of a misfit

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