Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Blog Page 22

Sculptor of the Sheldonian to be celebrated in a new exhibition

Joshua McGillivray
-
0
Sculptor of the Sheldonian to be celebrated in a new exhibition

The sculptor who carved the “Emperor’s Heads” currently standing outside Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre, Michael Black, will be celebrated in a new exhibition at the Oxfordshire Museum this spring.

The exhibition, entitled “Michael Black: Chisel, Wood, Stone”, will include a full-size plaster ox – which was once carried over Oxford’s Aristotle Bridge as part of  the annual May Day celebrations – and an artichoke-shaped fountain which will sit in the museum’s garden. Black’s family have contributed three short archival films. 

Most famously, he was appointed in 1970 to create replacements for the 17 Emperor’s Heads that surrounded the perimeter of the Sheldonian Theatre, which had become weathered over the century during which they had been on display. His versions were first revealed in 1972 and have remained in place ever since.

When the Sheldonian was first constructed, William Byrd built the 13 original Heads commissioned between 1664 and 1669. Byrd’s heads had to be replaced in 1868 due to erosion. Black located seven of the originals, five of which were still in Oxford, and based his versions on them rather than the later substitutes.

Black was the son of a vicar and was born in 1928. He grew up in Dorset and began training as a carver during his undergraduate degree at St Catherine’s College in the 1950s. He died in 2019.

His life’s work also includes early commissions restoring gargoyles across Oxford; stonework at churches and colleges around the city and busts of the former British Prime Ministers Alec Douglas-Home and Harold Macmillan.

The Oxfordshire County Council representative Neil Fawcett said: “Michael Black was a talented sculptor who received notable public commissions, exhibited artwork at prestigious galleries, and restored the stonework of churches, colleges and other buildings across Oxford.”

“This exhibition is a rare opportunity to discover this important artist’s legacy. Through loans and archival material from Black’s family we are treated to an intimate insight into the artist’s life.”

Oxford extends paternity leave to 12 weeks

Cherwell News and Investigations Section Editors
-
0
Oxford extends paternity leave to 12 weeks

The University of Oxford has announced an extended paternity and partner leave policy set to take effect from 31st January 2025. It will allow eligible new fathers, and partners of new mothers, to take up to 12 weeks of fully paid leave, inclusive of the statutory two-week period. Employers who have recently had or adopted children and are still within the first year after birth or placement will be able to access the scheme proportionately.

The University has described the extension as a “progressive approach to supporting new parents”. The policy aims to provide greater flexibility for employees and aligns with broader efforts to enhance family-friendly workplace policies in higher education.

Under UK employment law, statutory paternity leave currently entitles eligible employees to two weeks of paid leave, with the option for shared parental leave. The government’s policy indicates that employees can choose to take either one or two consecutive weeks’ leave, and be paid either £184.03 a week or 90% of their average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Oxford’s new policy extends this entitlement significantly and provides additional support to working parents within the University.

The introduction of the policy reflects a growing trend among universities, including LSE and UCL, to expand parental leave provisions. LSE now offers a four week paternity leave period, while UCL updated its paternity leave policy in April 2024 to offer employees up to 20 days. A similar policy introduced by the University of Cambridge on 1st October 2024. Cambridge’s update was part of a broader set of reforms aimed at improving family leave provisions. 

The move puts Oxford University amongst UK employers offering the highest length of parental leave. Oxford and Cambridge offer the longest paid paternity leave schemes compared to other Russell Group universities, which tend to offer the statutory two weeks’ leave only.

Plans to turn ATIK into live music venue and restaurant

Ekam Hothi
-
0
Plans to turn ATIK into live music venue and restaurant

Plans are being put forward to turn the building which hosted the recently closed ATIK nightclub into a live music venue, restaurant, offices, and construct a roof terrace. The club was closed on 30th June 2024 by landlords, following the shutting down of 17 other nightclubs owned by Rekom UK across the country, the company which owns the ATIK and Pryzm brands.

ATIK laid claim to being one of the most popular nightclubs in Oxford, famous for hosting the Wednesday night ‘Park End’ event. Kiss Bar, located next to ATIK in the same building, Cantay House, permanently closed down just months after in December of the same year. It had existed on the site for 23 years.

The application for this work is being made by Elwood Fund Management, a real estate fund management company, who have been preparing the plans since summer of last year. Elwood held a public consultation with local residents and councillors in September, saying the proposals were “a rare and exciting opportunity to bring life back into an underused but important building in an under-performing part of Oxford City Centre.” The plans were officially submitted to Oxford City Council on the 28th January.

Planners are also considering the possibility of building a restaurant on the ground floor, office space on the upper floors, and a roof terrace at the rear of the building. A new staircase would be installed, and part of the back of the building would be demolished.

The nightclub closed because of a disagreement with the landlord of Cantay House, who originally planned to redevelop it solely into offices. Rekom had previously told Cherwell that the landlord plans “to redevelop Cantay House into offices” and although “we offered a number of solutions to enable ATIK to remain open…all of our proposals to continue trading were rejected by the landlord.”

Several issues were addressed in the community consultation, which aimed to allay the concerns of local residents concerning the plans. These included the sound insulation of the venue, space for independent merchants, and the protection of the nearby Yellow Submarine Cafe.

The potential future of ATIK is just one of the many hopes for regeneration of the west side of Oxford city centre. Other proposed plans include Nuffield College’s development of buildings on Hythe Bridge Street, Park End Street, and Worcester Street.

Mind over matter: The best movies featuring psychics and clairvoyants 

External Contributor
-
0
Mind over matter: The best movies featuring psychics and clairvoyants 

Whether or not you’re a believer in those who can see the future or speak to the dead, films featuring psychics and clairvoyants are never a dull watch. 

If you’re looking for a new favourite thriller or supernatural drama to sink your teeth into, here’s a selection of the best movies featuring psychics and clairvoyants to add to your watchlist. 

The Dead Zone (1983)

Directed by David Cronenberg and starring Christopher Walken, The Dead Zone is highly regarded as one of the best adaptations of a Stephen King novel of all time. 

The sci-fi thriller features Chrstopher Walken as Johnny Smith, a teacher who gains psychic abilities after surviving a car accident that left him in a coma for five years. As he predicts his way through murders and accidents, the movie takes a turn when Johnny discovers a candidate for the presidential election is set on nuclear domination. 

Not only is the movie expertly directed and well-acted, but the suspenseful ambiance and gripping storyline will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. 

If movies aren’t enough to satisfy your craving or you’re not entirely convinced that those with psychic abilities are genuine, why not immerse yourself in the world of psychics? There are plenty of places where you can find a free online psychic reading and get the full experience for yourself. 

Ghost (1990)

Ghost is a classic romantic drama directed by Jerry Zucker, and features an impressive cast including Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg. 

When Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is murdered one night in a dark alley, his spirit remains amongst the living. However, after discovering that the love of his life (Demi Moore) is in grave danger and he has no way of interacting with the physical world, he turns to an unsuspecting spiritual medium (Whoopi Goldberg) to help him warn her before it’s too late. 

Despite a sombre tone, Whoopi Goldberg adds a quick wit and lightheartedness to an otherwise emotional film. With romance, sentiment, humour, suspense, and an iconic pottery making scene, this movie has everything you could want from a 90s romantic drama and more. 

The Gift (2000)

The Gift, directed by Sam Raimi, features an A-list ensemble including Cate Blanchett, Katie Holmes, Keanu Reeves, and Hilary Swank. 

This captivating supernatural thriller follows a widowed mother of three with a gift who tries to make ends meet working as a psychic. When their small town is hit with the tragedy of a missing young woman, authorities enlist the help of the psychic to help uncover the mystery. 

If you’re a fan of a good mystery with outstanding acting, a mesmerising soundtrack, and an unpredictable plot, The Gift is the perfect choice for your next movie night. 

Minority Report (2002)

Directed by Stephen Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise, Minority Report is an exciting and complex conspiracy thriller that often gets overlooked. 

Starring Tom Cruise and set in the year 2045, this futuristic story centres around Washington D.C., where crime has been almost completely eliminated thanks to a new crime fighting system that warns authorities of crimes before they occur. However, when Chief John Anderton, one of the PreCrime cops, is predicted to kill someone, he must attempt to clear his name. 

The movie offers nail biting tension from Spielberg’s direction, Cruise’s performance, and John Williams’ superb soundtrack. 

Red Lights (2012)

A mystery drama with an unforgettable cast, Red Lights tells the story of a skeptical psychologist, Dr. Margaret Matheson, and her physicist assistant, Tom Buckley, who travel around debunking fraudulent paranormal activity. After a famous psychic, Simon Silver, returns after decades of absence, Tom becomes fixated on finding out whether or not Simon is a fraud. 

Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, and Cillian Murphy, offer excellent performances in their roles, and the engrossing storyline of this unique mystery drama will keep you captivated from start to finish. 

Doctor Sleep (2019)

If you’re a fan of the 1980s classic, The Shining, then you’ll love Doctor Sleep. This movie is a continuation of The Shining, which follows a now adult Dan Torrence. 

Traumatised from his past and struggling to find a job, Dan moves to a small town where he meets a young girl with powers, who he soon realises must be protected from a cult of evil beings. 

Ewan McGregor delivers an exceptional performance as Dan Torrence and Mike Flanegan (director) honours both the Stephen King Novel that the movie is based on, and Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the first film. 

Which one is going on your watchlist? 

Whether you opt to watch an older classic like Ghost or a newer adaptation such as Doctor Sleep, movies featuring psychics and clairvoyants always offer suspense, intrigue, mystery, and exceptional entertainment. So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy. 

How Google is updating policy to crack down on low-value and filler content

External Contributor
-
0
How Google is updating policy to crack down on low-value and filler content

Google’s 2024 Quality Rater Guidelines come with tougher rules to weed out lazy, low-value content and filler that clutters the web without benefiting users. These updates are designed to enhance search experiences by rewarding well-crafted, original content and pushing down pages that merely recycle existing material or are stuffed with fluff.

Low-effort and low-originality content targeted

One of the key updates making heads turn in marketing news addresses content created with minimal effort, originality, or added value. Google warns that websites repackaging information from higher-quality sources without meaningful enhancement will be rated lower in quality assessments.

According to the guidelines, a ‘Lowest’ quality rating applies if a webpage’s main content (MC) consists almost entirely of copied, paraphrased, embedded, or reposted material with little to no originality. 

Meanwhile, a ‘Low’ rating is assigned to pages where a significant portion of the MC is copied or repurposed with minimal effort to create value, such as through superficial editing, manual curation, or minor reformatting.

Examples of content that may receive a Low rating include:

  • Social media reposts with little to no additional commentary or discussion.
  • Pages with embedded videos or ‘repinned’ images from other sources without meaningful curation.
  • ‘Best’ lists or recommendation articles that rely heavily on existing reviews without adding original insights.

Filler content identified as a poor user experience

Another major change in the 2024 guidelines is the emphasis on filler content, which Google now explicitly defines as low-effort material that adds little value and does not directly support a page’s purpose.

Google advises content creators to place the most helpful and essential information near the top of the page, ensuring visitors can immediately access the core content. While supporting information can be included, it should not take prominence over the main subject of the page.

Pages featuring excessive filler—particularly when it obscures or delays access to useful content—may receive a ‘Low’ quality rating. Examples include:

  • Recipe pages that bury the actual recipe beneath large blocks of unrelated content.
  • Articles padded with unnecessary background information before addressing the main topic.
  • Visually prominent filler that makes it difficult for users to locate the helpful content.

What this means for content creators

For website owners and content creators, standing out means focusing on originality, user-friendly design, and delivering real value. To stay visible in search results, pages need to cut the fluff and move beyond simply rehashing existing content. Google rewards fresh insights, well-researched curation, and content that genuinely enhances the user experience.

Unpaid internships disproportionately benefit the middle-class

Iona Mandal
-
0
Unpaid internships disproportionately benefit the middle-class

Earlier this year, The Sutton Trust published a report on unpaid and underpaid internships, concluding that the current access to internships disproportionately benefits middle-class graduates over working class graduates and arguing that unpaid internships exclude young people without pre-existing financial support.

The report, published in January, recommends that unpaid internships over four weeks in length should be banned outright, and that all internship positions should be publicly advertised, rather than informally offered – only 1 in 10 internships are found through open advertisement. It also recommends that HMRC should promote information on internships, and conduct an information campaign to inform young people of their right to pay.

More than half of graduates aged 21 – 29 who took part in the research reported completing at least one internship, an increase of 12% from 2018. 59% of employers – rising to 80% in London – who took part, reported offering internships, which is an increase from 48% in 2018.

However, 1 in 5 internships currently offer no financial compensation at all, and 40% of unpaid interns rely on financial support from parents or relatives. There has also been an increase in the gap between those participating in internships from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The number of working-class graduates taking part in internships has risen from 31% to 36%, whilst the percentage of middle-class graduates has grown from 43% to 55%.

26% of respondents from a working-class background said they could not afford to take an internship, compared with 15% from middle-class background. 44% of those who attended private schools said they had completed multiple internships, compared with just 18% from state schools.

Nick Harrison, Chief Executive of The Sutton Trust, said: “Internships are an increasingly critical route into the best jobs, and it’s shocking that in this day and age, many employers still pay interns below the minimum wage, or worse, nothing at all. They should be ashamed.”

He added: “As well as paying interns properly, there’s also a whole lot more that employers must do to make sure they’re accessing a wider pool of talent, such as advertising internship opportunities rather than taking in family and friends of their existing staff or biggest customers.”

SU suppressed The Oxford Student’s editorial independence

Ila Banerji, Euan Elliott, and Bryn Mollet
-
0
SU suppressed The Oxford Student’s editorial independence

The Student Union (SU) suppressed the editorial independence of The Oxford Student (OxStu) newspaper, in what a private letter from three former editors-in-chief called “overbearing censorship”, when it tried to publish the SU’s apology to a former president. 

The paper is owned by the SU, which, despite publicly presenting the paper as independent, has used its position of ownership to prevent it from publishing an article that may damage the public image of the SU. Documents show an SU board member viewed OxStu as its ‘media piece’ and expected its support.

Tensions between the SU and OxStu came to the fore last year. On 28th October, the SU issued an apology to a former president and cleared him of the unfounded allegations that had led to his suspension. Immediately, OxStu then attempted to report on this apology but received pushback from the SU.

Emails between SU Trustee Board members viewed by Cherwell, reveal that the SU had tried to suppress certain information in the OxStu’s publication of the SU public apology. In response to the initial draft article, an SU board member wrote in a 30th October email asking OxStu to remove a line.

The email said: “you are not to publish the article in its current form. Failure to comply with this request will constitute a breach of the [Memorandum of Understanding] and will leave the Board with no choice but to suspend access to [OxStu] website and remove the planned print edition scheduled for release tomorrow.” Other board members expressed their support for this in emails sent later that day.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a non-legally binding document, outlines the relationship between the SU and OxStu. It states that “the OxStu and SU are committed to ensuring freedom of speech and freedom of the press are upheld in all circumstances”, and that the OxStu should not be treated as the SU’s “newsletter”. The OxStu website claims that their constitution “grants [them] full editorial independence from the SU.”

However, sections in the MoU from Trinity Term 2024 appear to contradict this claim to independence. The agreement imposes limits on what the newspaper is able to publish when content may bring the SU into disrepute, stating: “personal and employment issues related to elected representatives shall not be printed, at the discretion of the Oxford SU” (section 3.i) and that “individual members of staff employed by Oxford SU are working under the instruction of the Oxford SU Trustee Board and CEO and should not normally be named, including role titles” (3.j).

The SU cited its legal responsibility for the OxStu as rationale for blocking publication of the article; however, the SU’s media lawyer later “conclud[ed] that they are not publishing libel” according to a 30th October email from the then-SU president.

The SU told Cherwell: “This was not a matter of libel law. This line was removed in accordance with matters of confidentiality and employment law. As you will appreciate, no employer should approve the publication of confidential, private information relating to either its employees or former employees to any newspaper.”

In the UK, there is an exception to the common law duty to protect confidential information when there is public interest in its disclosure. An independent paper is normally able to report on confidential information when doing so is in the public interest. Editorial independence means that a publisher or financier cannot stop the publication of articles even if they are of reputational damage to them (provided that they are not libellous). The BBC, for example, is funded by the government and regularly publishes stories that reflect negatively on the government.

Following the pushback, three former editors-in-chief wrote a letter on 29th October expressing their concern over what they described as “the overbearing censorship” of the SU in their handling of the situation. The authors of this letter did not send it to Cherwell; it was instead obtained alongside the other emails.

The letter expressed concern that SU staff could be able to veto articles that depicted the SU in a negative light. In particular, it said that “despite the OxStu having a media lawyer to consult in cases like these, the editors-in-chief have been instead put under pressure to show [the CEO] articles before publication.” The authors of this letter have since resigned or discontinued their work with the OxStu.

In response to the letter, the SU developed the Media Oversight Committee “with the objective of evaluating and establishing a more sustainable, transparent framework for the working relationship between OxStu and the SU going forward…It took the feedback onboard, engaged with the student journalists’ concerns and held collaborative conversations regarding a review into the paper”.

In the audio recording of a video call, a former editor-in-chief – who did not pen the above letter and continues to work with the OxStu today – repeatedly referred to OxStu as a “mouthpiece” of the SU. Similarly, one trustee wrote in an 30th October email: “In certain exceptional circumstances, Oxford Student is the only formal media piece of SU and needs to support SU accordingly.” 

When approached for comments, OxStu denied that it is a ‘mouthpiece’ and said that “none of the current members of OxStu‘s editorial board believe it to be a ‘mouthpiece’ of the SU”. They noted that there have been several occasions – both before and since this event – in which OxStu has been able to publish articles that are critical of the SU, stating: “We have roundly critiqued, or reported on failings of, their structure, infighting, policies and scandals.”

In the aftermath of the apology story, internal SU documents show the organisation’s concern over OxStu’s “reputational or financial risk” to the SU, as well as the “legal risk”, which was the reason conveyed to the editors. In various emails and meetings concerning the future of the OxStu, the SU discussed the possibility of withdrawing funding for the newspaper. In the minutes for a 31st October meeting, one board member “suggested that the OxStu might operate better outside SU governance, allowing them editorial independence.”

The above quotes reflect the views of the staff or board member who suggested it, not necessarily of the SU as a whole.

A former OxStu journalist told Cherwell: “I definitely felt an existential anxiety about the paper’s future at the time, especially since its relationship with the SU had broken down over issues of editorial independence. It also seemed possible that the SU was trying to force OxStu into complete independence – i.e. not receiving SU funding – if it didn’t get its way on certain important issues.”

The SU added in response: “Whilst we are not at liberty to disclose confidential discussions amongst the SU Board with third parties, it is widely known at the University that the SU Board is working to find solutions to protect the future of OxStu and its editorial independence, in response to feedback from employees and students of both the SU and OxStu.”

Disclosure: Cherwell is owned by Oxford Student Publications Limited (OSPL), a student-run company. OSPL was set up to ensure the editorial independence of its publications from the University and the SU.

Death of the Album, rise of the playlist

Gabriella Ofo
-
0
Death of the Album, rise of the playlist

The album, once the definitive artistic statement in music, is being increasingly overshadowed by the rise of the playlist. Streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music have reshaped how listeners engage with music, favouring curated, algorithm-driven playlists over full-length albums. This shift prioritises mood and accessibility over narrative cohesion, pushing artists to release single-driven songs for playlist placement rather than carefully put together albums. The emphasis on immediate engagement and shareability means that the traditional album structure, often crafted to be experienced as a singular journey is now frequently dissected into isolated tracks that can stand alone in a playlist environment. In an era where music consumption is dictated by convenience and instant gratification, the album’s role as a complete artistic statement is being challenged more than ever before.

2025 has already witnessed new mainstream albums from the likes of Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, and Central Cee, with their successes likely dissected in streaming figures, TikTok trends, and playlist placements rather than the traditional sense of album appreciation. Central Cee, despite first releasing music in 2015, only just released his debut studio album, ‘Can’t Rush Greatness.’ A leader in UK rap, he has built his brand not on album storytelling, but on viral singles and quick hit collaborations that feed into Spotify’s algorithmic rotations. This ability to dominate the charts can be illustrated in standalone songs such as ‘Sprinter’ or ‘BAND4BAND’, tracks that gained massive traction through social media virality, reflecting a new era in which the playlist comes first, with momentum trumping long form artistic statements. 

This phenomenon is not just about how music is consumed but also how it’s made, as artists are increasingly aware of streaming algorithms that favour frequent releases over cohesive, conceptual projections. Instead of crafting a 12-track album with a clear narrative arc, many musicians now focus on singles that can land on key playlists, ensuring their music is in constant circulation. The pressures of maintaining visibility in an oversaturated market incentivises artists to adopt a continuous-release strategy, favouring a steady stream of standalone tracks over the lengthy development of a conceptually unified album. The streaming era has also diminished the necessity for album fillers, as each song is expected to function as a self-contained hit that can thrive independently. This means that albums today, when released, often consist of a collection of potential singles rather than a meticulously structured body of work. 

This narrative does not apply to all artists within the mainstream however, Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Mr Morale & The Big Steppers’ (2022) and his recent ‘GNX’ (2024) defied the bite size streaming culture, as he delivered dense, introspective albums that demanded full attention. Lamar’s music, rich with intricate lyricism and conceptual depth, is designed to be absorbed holistically rather than consumed piecemeal. His continued dedication to long-form storytelling suggests that while the industry may be shifting towards singles and curated playlist experiences, there is still space for artists committed to preserving the album as a serious artistic medium. His success proving that listeners still crave immersive narratives and cohesive albums—though they may be increasingly rare.

However, even as artists attempt to preserve the sanctity of the album the reality remains that playlists dominate listening habits. The way listeners engage with music has fundamentally changed, and the biggest question is to whether the album will survive as a cohesive body of work, or are we witnessing the permanent rise of the playlist as the dominant mode of music consumption? While some artists may continue to push back against the trend, the overwhelming commercial success of playlist-friendly music suggests that the industry’s trajectory is unlikely to reverse. The album may not disappear entirely, but its role as the primary vessel for artistic expression in popular music is undoubtedly under threat.

Former Burger King to be transformed into student accommodation

Liya Sebhatu
-
0
Former Burger King to be transformed into student accommodation

Jesus College have submitted a planning application to transform property in the city centre into student accommodation. The site is between Pret a Manger and WHS Smith and the ground floor and basement will still be available for commercial use. The completed project aims to provide the college with an additional 14 rooms for students to live in. 

The new student accommodation site was previously occupied by a Burger King until it was shut down in early 2023, shortly after receiving a one-star hygiene rating. Project surveyor Mike Sheppard wrote in a report to city council planners that: “the cessation of the Burger King operation has provided a catalyst to secure an efficient use for the property into the future.” 

Jesus College’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 seeks to make use of vacant properties. In the planning statement for the new property, the college cited the increase in the growing student population as reason for building new student accommodation. Jesus is one of the colleges which provide students with accommodation for the full duration of undergraduate courses. 

The first and second floors of the new construction will accommodate three students each, whilst the third and fourth will each accommodate four, and all rooms are to be ensuite. The fifth floor is intended to be a plants and services room. There will be no private bike storage associated with the accommodation but students living there will have access to other college bike facilities. 

A nationwide shortage in student housing has impacted Oxford students, with some Oxford undergraduates in 2023 having to queue for up to 24 hours in order to secure housing. 

In recent years, Jesus college has taken other measures to expand its student accommodation, including the Cheng Yu Tung building, which opened in October 2022, and can also be found on Cornmarket Street. As a result of its renewable energy technology, including round source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and a heat recovery and cooling system, it is one of the city centre’s first zero carbon buildings. The Cheng Yu Tung building is also a part of the college’s Sustainability Strategy Plan, which aligns with the University’s net zero carbon target by 2035.  

Devolution considered for Thames Valley

Conor Walsh
-
0
Devolution considered for Thames Valley

Devolution in the Thames Valley region has been discussed between Oxford City Council and neighbouring local authorities through a new Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA). The Authority may cover council districts in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Swindon and would localise decision-making powers which normally take place in Westminster.

Discussions are in their early stages but are thought to involve restructuring local government in Oxfordshire – combining Oxford’s six councils into one. This unified council would sit under a new Mayoral authority for the Thames Valley region led by a regional mayor whose powers would include planning, transport, skills, and energy. 

This mayoral authority would emulate the cities of Greater Manchester and London whose mayors already exercise power over public transport and local services. For Oxford this will mean policy decisions about issues such as bus services will be decentralised from national government. Mayoral oversight may also extend to local policing and fire services.

Speaking to Cherwell, Oxford city councillor and Liberal Democrat group leader Dr. Christopher Smowton said that: “I do absolutely welcome devolution of powers away from Westminster.

“The most noticeable impact from a mayoral strategic authority would probably be around transport – for example, greater control over how bus services operate, or more influence over local rail initiatives like resuming passenger service on the Cowley Branch Line.”

The council’s discussion follows the UK government’s plan to devolve power-making across England through the English Devolution Bill which is currently going through parliament. The bill will establish mayoral authorities across the country and enshrine their powers in law. Ahead of the bill, the government has asked councils to envision what these new authorities will look like.

Last week, six other regions in England were fast-tracked for the creation of new mayoral authorities. These include Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, and Greater Essex, who will elect regional Mayors for the first time in May 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said: “We have an economy that hoards potential and a politics that hoards power. So our devolution revolution will deliver the greatest transfer of power from Whitehall to our communities in a generation.”

Councillor Chris Jarvis, leader of the Green group, told Cherwell that: “The UK is one of the most centralised countries in the world, and so the Green Party welcomes moves to devolve power from Westminster towards local communities. 

“However, by forcing new mayors across the country, the government is giving with one hand and taking with the other. New strategic authorities will be given additional powers, yet these will be centralised in a single individual. That’s not what real devolution should look like.”

Other political leaders have also expressed skepticism about the government’s plans. Speaking in parliament, Conservative MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up Kevin Hollinrake said that the Deputy Prime Minister is creating “Orwellian-sounding strategic authorities that are closer to her and closer to Whitehall, for her to use as a pawn to implement this Government’s deeply unpopular socialist agenda.

“The reality is that this is delegation, not devolution—not devolution but a clear centralisation.” Mr Hollinrake went on to say that “imposing Whitehall diktat on local people, rather than the locally led approach we [the Conservatives] followed, is prone to problems.”

1...212223...2,494Page 22 of 2,494

Support Student Journalism

Cherwell is Oxford’s oldest independent newspaper, established in 1920. We are entirely student-run. By supporting us, you will contribute to keeping our paper in print and online. Every donation makes a difference.

Donate

Explore

Follow us

More

Oxford Student Publications Limited © 2025 - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy

Website by James Ashley