Why the Oxford Union’s Charlie Kirk scandal matters

The president-elect of the Oxford Union, George Abaraonye, has prompted outrage after making comments that appeared to celebrate the murder of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On WhatsApp, Abaraonye said, ‘Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s fucking go’. On his Instagram account, another post read: ‘Charlie Kirk got shot loool.’

These posts were widely condemned. And no wonder – Abaraonye had actually met and debated Kirk at the Oxford Union. To respond so callously to his murder reflects very badly on him. But the controversy hasn’t just shed light on this particular president-elect’s lack of decency and moral judgement – it has also focussed attention on the Oxford Union as an institution.

Indeed, since Abaraonye’s posts came to light, there have been questions asked of how the union is run and how he came to be its president-elect. There have even been public demands in national newspapers for his resignation, for his sacking, for new elections. At first sight, all this focus on a debating society might seem odd. But the Oxford Union is not just any debating society. It is also a key institution in the production of Britain’s ruling elites. Its reputation matters.

Having personally debated at both the Oxford Union and its equally prestigious counterpart at Cambridge, I understand the almost sacred status these institutions hold. They are the oldest debating societies in the world – Cambridge was established in 1815, followed by Oxford in 1823. Above all, they are central to the perpetuation of the British class system. Over the years, influential and famous individuals have graced their floors, from Michelle Obama to Malcolm X to Winston Churchill. An invitation to speak is rarely refused, even by former US presidents.

Participation in a debate at these institutions involves a strict ritual. Attendees are required to adhere to a black-tie dress code. Each guest is assigned a chaperone – typically a younger student – whose role is to assist the debater throughout the evening. These chaperones are invariably charming, helpful and perhaps even future union presidents themselves. Notable former Oxford Union presidents include several former prime ministers – Edward Heath, William Gladstone, Herbert Asquith, Harold Macmillan and Boris Johnson. The list of luminaries isn’t confined to Conservatives, either. Liberals like John Maynard Keynes, Labour big-wigs like Roy Jenkins, Anthony Crosland and Michael Foot, and even communist Tariq Ali, have all been presidents.

Before the debate, guests attend a formal dinner featuring toasts to the monarch and speeches from the current president welcoming guests, debaters and union members. Throughout the dinner, guests are seated among students, providing the latter with an opportunity to network with some of the world’s most influential figures. And this whole ritual is repeated every week during term time.

The debating format itself is like an initiation into Britain’s political class. It even mirrors the procedures of the House of Commons. There are established rules, motions to argue and opportunities for interjections from the floor (the audience can stand and request ‘a point of order’ which the speaker can choose to address).

This entire experience is both a performance and a privilege. Being heard and treated as a person of knowledge is compelling and addictive. It’s easy to see why so many members transition seamlessly into the House of Commons and then the Lords – the union serves as a training ground for the nation’s elite, providing cultural, social, symbolic and economic capital to its members.

The Oxford Union has long played a significant role in shaping British politics and power. Protecting its reputation is paramount. So while the Oxford Union’s current leadership has condemned Abaraonye’s comments and he himself has apologised, they have done so principally in the interests of self-preservation. It is too important for the reproduction of our political elites, of which Abaraonye is a future member, to be allowed to suffer any lasting damage.

The Charlie Kirk scandal at the Oxford Union has provided an insight into the institutions and the mechanisms that produce our elites. That’s why the crass comments made by president-elect George Abaraonye matter. They are not just the daft views of one foolish student. They are the sentiments of someone being trained for membership of our political class. He may have endured a tough few days, but he is likely to have a very privileged future.

Lisa McKenzie is a working-class academic.