Cambridge College's Politics

Oi, I resent that...

Traditionally, Johns, Magdalene, possibly Peterhouse and Trinity are the right-wing colleges; Clare, King's, Tit Hall (to a lesser extent) the left-wing colleges.

TBH, there's a certain amount of truth in the stereotypes (certainly, I know a fair few right-wing hoorah Henry types in my own college) but mostly it's the vocal minority you tend to hear which gives the colleges their names...

although, of course, King's is full of raving Communist sympathisers who want to overthrow the Government and replace Cambridge with a comprehensive...

Thankfully, however, no one implied that. If I can recall correctly (which I can, seeing as I'm quoting verbatim ) what was actually said was:

"the more private school students in a college the more its thought to be tory. Not that this is actually true at all"

This is true. It would also be true to say that people from private school backgrounds tend to be right-wing, but even this rather mild statement wasn't made (AFAICS).

Hehe, I remember back in 1997 when I was in year 8, and Blair got his landslide victory. My school also had a "mock election" with various 6th formers representing each party. While Blair was taking whatever massive majority he took in the real world, over 80% of the votes in my school were for the Conservative candidate.

It's true, the vast majority of people there and their parents were definitely Tory types (although my school wasn't really an "old money" place, so it wasn't really really rah). Little old me on my government assisted place (thanks for getting rid of those, Tony! ) and Lib Dem/Labour family certainly stood out like a sore thumb.

However, I do think that despite people's views at the time (where most people's political decisions were based on who their parents voted for) a significant number have grown up and changed their own ideals.

Last mock election my school had the Conservatives got 16 votes I believe. Greens had over 200 or something along with strong showings from various made up parties about school issues

At my school I think the Greens won in 2001, and the Loonies won last year. Apparently the apathetics are taking over from the lefties.

Apathetics? Pah, I'm not apathetic about student politics. I hate it. I actively hate it. I get up early in the morning and start hating it diligently until lunch, then take a short break to watch the daily politics, then continue hating it with every available ounce of my strength into the wee hours, until I eventually fall into a restless sleep. I then wake up and remember how awful and pointless student politics are and - wham - the whole hell march starts again.

There are lots of things you can accuse me of, naivety, ignorance, a desire to be contrary (?), and a complete inability to find the right word when I need it. You can't however, put my opposition to student politics down to apathy. It's tough work.

Last mock election my school had the Conservatives got 16 votes I believe. Greens had over 200 or something along with strong showings from various made up parties about school issues

Anyone know what Emmanuel is like politically? I resent the implication that private school people are right wing and tory......

I have yet to meet anyone there who fulfills a right-wing snobbish rah stereotype.