The Politics Society have been busy creating a society we hope politics students and enthusiasts can be proud of. At the beginning of the academic year we thought it important to host Caroline Lucas, Sussex University’s representative in Westminster. Aware that not everyone is interested in politics, it seemed vital for students and staff to hear what their representative stood for, and what she had achieved in Parliament in the year since she was elected. The event on 21st October was attended by around 80 people from the Sussex community and touched on everything from cycling in Brighton, to the economic crisis, and her experience of being a lone Green MP in the Commons.
This year we have also set about creating an institution that we feel can appeal to a wide audience and bring those interested in politics together, this is Polsoc Film Club. Our film club has screened films such as The Wave, Enron: The Smartest Guys in The Room, and Lefties: Property is Theft. Our most popular screening “The War You Don’t See” by John Pilger, highlighted the media’s coverage of war and lead to some heated debate in the room!
On 7 March we hosted a Politics Society Pub Quiz where, while we put to test the bright minds of Sussex, I begged and pleaded for donations to the Clock Tower Sanctuary - a local charity that helps homeless 16-25 year olds. After a successful night at East Slope Bar, and a morning of counting alcohol-soaked pennies, we had raised £85 to help people our own age get off the streets.
April sees the beginning of an exciting new term for the Politics Society. We have worked hard to organise some interesting talks, beginning on 9th May with Mark Serwotka of the PCS Union, who will address students on trade unions and politics, and the future of unions under the coalition government. On the 24th May we host David Lammy, the MP for Tottenham who recently released his book “Out of Ashes: Britain After the Riots.” This should be an interesting insight into explanations and after effects of the August Riots in Britain. We have also organised a debate which we have called “Is Socialism Dead?” to take place on 24th April, featuring Paul Richards of the think tank Progress, editor of International Socialism Alex Callinicos and the department’s very own Luke Martell.
With the French Presidential elections set to dominate the news in April, Politics Society are helping to organise a round table on the elections on 25th April. With the first stage of the two ballot election taking place on 22nd April, we will be able to take a detailed look at how the election is playing out for Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.
We would love to see Euroscope readers at some of our upcoming events! Anyone interested in getting involved with the society can find us on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mailing politicssoc@ussu.sussex.ac.uk. The Politics Society committee were pleased to find out that we have been nominated for “Most Improved Society” at the Student Awards, so keep your fingers crossed for us.
(To be published in Euroscope Summer edition)
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