The memorial plaque to Airey Neave outside the Hall at Merton College

The Neave Society

The Neave Society is Merton's own politics and current affairs society, named in honour of Mertonian, lawyer, soldier and MP Airey Neave. They meet fortnightly on Monday evenings for informal debates and discussion of contemporary political issues. They also often host speakers from a range of political backgrounds. All their meetings are accompanied by drinks and nibbles, and all members of Merton College are welcome to attend.
2021/22

This year has been an exciting one for the Neave Society, being the first year (for most of us) entirely in person. Each term has brought a host of fresh debates, sparking lively discussions from a range of perspectives.

Michaelmas term began with the extremely well attended Freshers’ Debate on the issue of ‘Is all art political?’. The motion invited views from students of all disciplines, unpacking what can be fairly described as ‘art’, and whether anything can ever be apolitical. The Neave Society was also thrilled to host economist and Merton alumnus John Mills (1958) to discuss his books The Elephant in the Room and Why the West is Failing: Failed Economics and the Rise of the East. Shiv Mandal (2020, president in Michaelmas term) chaired this interesting discussion on how reindustrialisation could rebalance and repair the UK economy.

Hilary term kicked off yet again with the debate on ‘no confidence in the government’. On the back of ‘Partygate’ allegations, this debate was largely themed on the intersection and implications of the private/public life divide of politicians. Other topics that cropped up this term included a debate on euthanasia, and another on whether children should be taught to be sceptical of parental authority – both engaged some truly fascinating insights on balance between personal autonomy and security.

Trinity term was undoubtedly the highlight of the Neave Society’s 2021-22 calendar. Our first ‘presidential’ debate was between JCR President candidates Zakariya Bux and Ivan Vasenov (both 2021) on the issue of the extent to which tech companies should regulate social media. As an (unaffiliated) preview to the presidential hustings later this week, this debate drew an attendance of over 20 in the audience. Following this flagship debate, the change in format from round-table discussion to one-v-one openings accompanied by floor discussion was a great success. One notably divisive debate in this format was between Niall Pearson-Shaul (2021, Affiliated Organisations Rep 2022-23) and Charlie Rand (2021, Social Backgrounds Rep 2022-23) on the topic of whether the UK should implement affirmative action. Niall took the proposition and Charlie acted for the opposition. After some thoughtful discussion on the long- and short-term benefits of positive discrimination, we voted in favour of the proposition.

The Neave Society has had a spectacular year. It has been a journey from strength to strength, and we look forward to re-joining once more in October.

Shivanii Arun (2021)
Neave Society President 2021-22

Events
2021/22

Trinity term 2022

Date Debate
Tuesday 17 May - 4th week This House would introduce affirmative action in the UK
Wednesday 4 May - 2nd week This House believes it is the duty of tech companies to regulate online speech where necessary

Hilary term 2022

Date Debate
Tuesday 15 February - 5th week This House would teach children to be sceptical of parental authority
Tuesday 1 February - 3rd week This House believes voluntary euthanasia should be legalised
Tuesday 18 January - 1st week This House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government

Michaelmas term 2021

Date Debate
Wednesday 17 October - 6th week This House would go cashless
Thursday 28 October - 3rd week This House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government
Friday 8 October - 0th week This House believes that all art is political
2020/21

Trinity term 2021

Date Debate
Thursday 3 June - 6th week This House believes that wealth should not be equally divided after divorce
Tuesday 18 May - 4th week This House would introduce compulsory National Service
Wednesday 5 May - 2nd week This House would criminalise pornography

Hilary term 2021

Date Debate
Monday 22 February - 6th week This House believes that no one has the right to own outer space
Friday 12 February - 4th week This House believes that the UK two-party system must end
Wednesday 27 January - 2nd week This House believes that everyone has a right to a Twitter account

Michaelmas term 2020

Date Debate
Monday 30 November - 8th week This House would elect a scientist to be Prime Minister
Monday 16 November - 6th week This House would scrap the use of exams for university admissions
Monday 2 November - 4th week This House believes the US election does not matter
Monday 19 October - 2nd week This House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government
Friday 9 October - 0th week This House would legalise all drugs
2019/20

Hilary term 2020

Date Debate
Wednesday 4 March - 7th week This House would prefer to exist for a single day than never to have existed at all
Wednesday 19 February - 5th week This House would not fund future space exploration
Wednesday 5 February - 3rd week This House believes that capitalism has had its day
Wednesday 22 January - 1st week This House would abolish the monarchy

Michaelmas term 2019

Date Debate
Tuesday 3 December - 8th week This House would not vote in the General Election
Tuesday 5 November - 4th week This House believes that “feminism” is no longer relevant to modern society
Tuesday 22 October - 2nd week This House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government
Tuesday 10 October - 0th week This House believes that art should not be separated from the artist
2018/19

Trinity term 2019

Date Debate
Tuesday 7 May - 2nd week This House believes that colonial states should pay reparations to former colonies

Hilary term 2019

Date Debate
Tuesday 5 March - 8th week This House believes that art should not be separated from the artist
Tuesday 19 February - 6th week This House believes the UK is in dire need of a centrist political party
Tuesday 5 February - 4th week This House believes humanitarian intervention is now necessary in Venezuela
Tuesday 22 January - 2nd week This House believes that vegetarianism is the way forward

Michaelmas term 2018

Date Debate
Tuesday 13 November - 6th week This House regrets the number of UN condemnations of Israel
Tuesday 30 October - 4th week This House supports compulsory vaccines for children
Tuesday 16 October - 2nd week This House has no confidence in the Government
2017/18

Trinity term 2018

Date Debate
Tuesday 1 May - 2nd week This House believes that we should legalise genetic selection of human embryos
Tuesday 22 May - 5th week This House would repeal the 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution
Tuesday 29 May - 6th week This House believes referendums are good

Hilary term 2018

Date Debate
Tuesday 6 March - 8th week This House believes cats are better than dogs
Tuesday 20 February - 6th week This House would abolish tuition fees
Tuesday 6 February - 4th week This House believes extremists should be 'No Platformed'
Tuesday 23 January - 2nd week This House believes capitalism is more dangerous than communism

Michaelmas term 2017

Date Debate
Tuesday 17 October - 1st week This House would take down statues of immoral historical figures
Tuesday 31 October - 4th week This House would decriminalise marijuana
Tuesday 14 November - 6th week This House would abolish the monarchy
Tuesday 28 November - 8th week This House believes that Russia is a threat to Western democracy
2016/17

Trinity term 2017

Date Debate
Tuesday 2 May - 2nd week This House would allow a second Scottish independence referendum
Tuesday 23 May - 5th week This House believes hunting animals for sport is wrong
Tuesday 30 May - 6th week Election special

Hilary term 2017

Date Debate
Tuesday 24 January - 2nd week This House would take empty buildings and use them to shelter homeless people
Tuesday 7 February - 4th week This House would not allow Trump to make a state visit to the UK
Tuesday 21 February - 6th week This House believes that faith schools should be abolished
Tuesday 7 March - 8th week This House would reintroduce the death penalty

Michaelmas term 2016

Date Debate
Tuesday 18 October - 1st week This House believes that grammar schools are the best way to promote social mobility
Tuesday 1 November - 4th week This House believes Britain is no longer a compassionate country
Tuesday 15 November - 6th week This House believes Hillary Clinton is the reason Donald Trump won the US Presidential election
Tuesday 29 November - 8th week This House believes that 2016 marks the beginning of the end
2015/16

Trinity term 2016

Date Debate
Tuesday 26 April - 1st week This House believes the monarchy is out of place in 21st-century Britain
Tuesday 3 May - 2nd week This House believes that the Oxbridge elite is damaging to society as a whole
Tuesday 24 May - 5th week This House believes that the UK should vote to leave the EU

Hilary term 2016

Date Debate
Tuesday 26 January - 2nd week This House believes the creation of 'safe spaces' in universities discourages debate
Tuesday 9 February - 4th week This House believes that the Government has a responsibility to prevent homelessness
Tuesday 23 February - 6th week This House believes that politicians should not send their children to private school
Tuesday 8th March - 8th week This House believes that Donald Trump is unstoppable

Michaelmas term 2015

Date Debate
Tuesday 20 October - 2nd week This House believes that Jeremy Corbyn is good for British politics
Tuesday 3 November - 4th week This House believes that we must accept our lack of privacy
Tuesday 17 November - 6th week This House believes it's time for a secular Britain
Wednesday 2 December - 8th week This House believes that military intervention is the most effective way to combat terrorism