Oxford University Liberal Democrats (OULD) is the student branch of the Liberal Democrats for students at both the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University. Previously called the Oxford Student Liberal Society, it is the successor to both Oxford University Liberal Club and Oxford University Social Democrats (founded in 1981), which voted to merge early in 1987, about a year in advance of the national parties.

History [link]

As the OU Liberal Club was founded in 1913, OULD is amongst the oldest political clubs at British universities.^[1] It was formed from a merger of two older Liberal societies at Oxford, the Russell Club, and the Palmerston Club, both of which dated to at least the 1870s.

Elections [link]

Its members are active in local campaigns, especially in parliamentary elections. Towards the late 20th century, Oxford West and Abingdon was a Conservative – Liberal Democrat marginal. It returned Dr Evan Harris from 1997 until 2010, when he was defeated by Nicola Blackwood, a Conservative candidate. Westminster. At the 2005 general election, there was an 11.2% swing towards the Lib Dems in Oxford East, which had traditionally been a safe Labour seat. The margin of victory for Andrew Smith in 2005 was 963 votes - a 90% decrease from 2001. However, at the 2010 general election, Andrew Smith achieved a 4.1% swing in his favour, holding the seat for Labour by a margin of 4,581 votes.

Social events [link]

The society organises social events each term, and attracts well-known Liberal Democrat speakers to address its members. Recent visitors have included Nick Clegg, Chris Huhne, Lynne Featherstone, Shirley Williams, and Lord McNally. The society also organises policy debates and forums with other political societies in Oxford.

Alumni [link]

Some former members of the society and its predecessors have gone on to have notable careers, including:

• Danny Alexander, Lib Dem MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey since 2005
• Clement Attlee, later Labour Prime Minister, 1945–1951
• Alec Beechman, Liberal Club President 1919-20, National Liberal MP 1937-50
• Alan Beith, Lib Dem MP for Berwick upon Tweed since 1973
• Frank Byers, Liberal Club President in 1935, Liberal MP for North Dorset, 1945–1950, later Leader of the Liberal peers in the House of Lords
• Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1988-1990 & 1993-1996
• Ed Davey, Lib Dem MP for Kingston and Surbiton since 1997
• Robin Day, television interviewer and political broadcaster
• Dingle Foot, Liberal Club Secretary in 1926 and President in 1927, Liberal MP for Dundee, 1931–1945, and Labour MP for Ipswich, 1951–1970
• John Foot, Liberal Club President in 1930, Liberal politician and peer.
• Michael Foot, Liberal Club President in 1934, cabinet minister 1974-9, Labour party leader 1980-3
• Paul Foot, Liberal Club President in 1960, journalist
• Andrew George, Lib Dem MP for St Ives since 1997
• John Gray, Liberal Club President in 1967, philosopher
• Jo Grimond, Liberal MP for Orkney and Shetland and Leader of the Liberal Party, 1956–1967
• Duncan Hames, Lib Dem MP for Chippenham since 2010
• Evan Harris, OULD President in 1987, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon 1997-2010
• Stephen Hawking, physicist
• David Heath, Lib Dem MP for Somerton and Frome since 1997
• John Hemming, Lib Dem MP for Birmingham Yardley since 2005
• Martin Horwood, Oxford Student Liberal Society President in 1983, Lib Dem MP for Cheltenham since 2005
• Susan Kramer, Lib Dem 2000 London mayoral candidate and MP for Richmond Park since 2005
• Keith Kyle, Liberal Club President in 1949, journalist
• Eric Lubbock, winner of the Orpington by-election, and Liberal MP, 1962–1970
• Lord Razzall, Lib Dem campaign strategist
• Nick St Aubyn, Liberal Club Secretary in 1975, Conservative MP for Guildford 1997-2001
• Matthew Taylor, Lib Dem MP for Truro and St Austell 1987-2010
• Jeremy Thorpe, Liberal Club President in 1950, Liberal MP for North Devon 1959-1979, and Leader of the Liberal Party, 1967–1976
• Liz Truss, OULD President in 1993, Conservative MP for South West Norfolk since 2010
• Paul Tyler, Liberal Club Secretary in 1962, Liberal MP for Bodmin February–October 1974, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall 1992-2005
• Helen Wallace (née Rushworth), Lady Wallace of Saltaire, Liberal Club President in 1965, academic
• Steve Webb, Lib Dem MP for Northavon since 1997
• Harold Wilson, Liberal Club Treasurer in 1935, later the Labour Prime Minister, 1964–1970 and 1974–1976

Presidents of OULD [link]

For a full list, see Former Presidents of Oxford University Liberal Club and Oxford University Liberal Democrats.

Recent Presidents of OULD [link]

• 2011 Ed Watson, Ori; James King, Univ; Robin Max McGhee, StA
• 2010 Emily Baxter, New; Caroline Lester, Wad; David Freeborn, StH
• 2009 James Schneider, Tri; Mark Mills, SEH; Hengameh Ziai, StJ

References [link]

External links [link]

• Oxford University Liberal Democrats
• Ad Libitum - Journal of the Oxford University Liberal Democrats
• Cherwell, where articles on OULD can be found
• The Oxford Student, where articles on OULD can be found
• The Friends of OULD, for information on the history of OULD and its predecessors