@TheOxStu
The
Trinity Term, Week 5 | Friday 29th May 2026
OXFORD STUDENT The University of Oxford’s Student Newspaper, est. 1991
‘Obsession’: 2026’s best so far In defence of rainy days: Oxford
Charity: human nature or social construct?
through the British weather
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Students evicted by St Stephen’s House as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect Ellie Apostolidi
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University administrative offices on Wellingston Square. Credit: University of Oxford
The Renters’ Rights Act was passed in October 2025 by the Labour government, and came into effect on 1st May this year (less than three months after the notice of eviction was given). Beyond abolishing Section 21, the Act seeks to abolish fixed-term contracts, replacing them with rolling tenancies, as well as capping rent increases to once a year. Since the Act has been proposed there has been a spike in cases of no-fault evictions, ahead of the legislation coming into effect this May. Continued
he Oxford Student can exclusively report that St Stephen’s House has evicted the residents of their Moberly Close annex. The eviction notice was given to residents in February and is, for some of the residents, to be effective before the end of the academic term. The final tenancy will expire on 31st July 2026. The eviction has been classed under Section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act as a no fault eviction - something which the new Renters’ Rights Act has abolished.
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Anita Okunde here is a story we tell about the Oxford Union. In 1933, students voted that they would not fight for King and Country. The story goes that Hitler saw it, took it as a sign that Britain lacked the will to fight, and pressed on. Churchill called it the “ever shameful” resolution. Historians have largely dismissed the causal link. But presidents still chase it, because the idea that a debate in a room on St Michael’s Street changed the course of a war is intoxicating. The question worth asking is: why? Is it a genuine belief that debate produces change, or is it the ego trip of wanting your name attached to something that mattered? I say it is both. I also think that
the tension between those two things is exactly the problem. Debate at Oxford does not start and end in the Union. It starts at your interview, when your tutor plays devil’s advocate. You come away thinking that you have completely blown it, but then you get an offer. It continues in every tutorial, as you try to critique your tute partner’s essay in a way that is technically a compliment, so that you do not seem rude, and then spend an hour going back and forth defending a position you half-invented on the spot. It spills out onto the walk to afters, somewhere near Hassan’s, when the insufferable PPEists around you somehow end up debating the sociopolitical state of the world at 2am. Continued on page 6
University immigration adLimits of debatability ministrator stood in local election for Reform UK T Lila Robinson and Guilherme Lopes
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ames Baker, head of Oxford University’s Staff Immigration Team (SIT) since 2014, ran as a Reform UK candidate in the Littlemore ward in the May 2026 local elections. He finished fourth and received 210 votes, whereas the winning candidate, Tiago Corais (Labour Party), received 726. According to the community data profile for Littlemore, the percentage of the Black ethnic group is higher in Littlemore ward (6%) than the Oxford district and Oxfordshire average, 5% and 2% respectively. The University’s website men-
tions that if there exists a conflict of interest between their client and the University, they are unable to advise or act. However, there are no guidelines on conflict of interest that may arise from one’s political views or party politics. James Baker declined to comment when contacted by The Oxford Student. In a comment made to The Oxford Student, the University of Oxford stated that “staff are entitled to participate in civic and political life in a personal capacity, including standing for elected office. The Universi-
ty respects that right and does not comment on the political activities of individual employees.” They added that there are established processes to “support staff who undertake activities outside their University role.” The SIT provides “free and impartial advice on immigration matters” to current and prospective University staff, as well as to any dependents they may have. Their remit includes, but is not limited to, providing advice regarding UK work visa routes and Indefinite Leave to Remain. Continued on page 3