Taylorian 2020

48 S&A Societies & Activities T he 2019/20 academic year has witnessed a resurgence of activity on the part of the Alfred Marshall Society, which continues to offer weekly access to a current affairs event—hosted by either a student or external speaker—to all Taylorians. Amongst our most illustrious guests over the past year are Daniel Finkelstein, a prominent Times columnist; Professor Robert Hazell, former director of the Constitution Unit at UCL; and Iain Dale, a distinguished journalist who now hosts a radio show on LBC. In the autumn term, the Society was instrumental to the success of the School’s mock election campaign. Shortly before polling day, the Society organised a debate, kindly hosted by the HeadMaster, at which surrogate candidates for each of the five major political parties fired at one another broadside after broadside—on issue after issue—before a packed Lecture Theatre. In the event, the Conservative candidate, Aditya Sharma (L6th) eked out a narrow victory over his Liberal Democratic counterpart, Christian Bland (U6th), on an impressive turnout of 54%. The Society has, largely due to the Herculean exertions of Aidan Ho (L6th), continued to function effectively despite our absence from the School. Since the imposition of the nationwide lockdown, the Society’s page on Microsoft Teams has hosted a number of student-led talks on subjects as varied as what happens if the incumbent prime minister dies; how to classify American presidents throughout history; and the economic fallout of the coronavirus. Such efforts have ensured that the Society has retained—indeed, if anything, has enhanced—its well-earnt reputation as a hub of intellectual activity. In the meantime, the Society has, of course, plugged away at the publication at regular intervals of its in-house journal, The Backbench, which continues to provide an opportunity for students of all age groups to air their views on current affairs without fear or favour. I have no doubt whatsoever that the Society will continue to thrive in the months and years ahead, no matter the circumstances. So long as the School continues to function, the Alfred Marshall Society will be here, both informing and influencing Taylorians’ views on the issues which affect us all. Joe Morgan (L6) Alfred Marshall Society