Campaigns
Campaigning is crucial to our society, and we do a lot of it! We make a difference on campus through a mix of internal campaigns and collaborations with other societies, raising money and awareness for important issues, with many of our exec and members taking elected roles in the SU alongside their studies.
We are part of the Warwick Left Network, a collection of societies and students on the left who strive to make a difference at Warwick, working in collaboration with the Student Staff Solidarity Network. Warwick Left Society are also proudly one of the societies in the Warwick Stands With Palestine coalition, campaigning for divestment on campus.
This year, we have created the role of Trade Union Liaison Officer to encourage our members to get more involved in these organisations. We recently attended a picket line in Nottingham to support underpaid NHS workers in association with Unison.
We run regular campaigning sessions in Coventry and Leamington where we’ve had incredible conversations on the doorstep. Warwick Left Society worked tirelessly in the General Election to get Zarah Sultana re-elected to Parliament, working alongside leftist figures such as John McDonnell, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Ian Byrne, Kim Johnson and more, holding multiple campaigning sessions a day! Recently, we have been campaigning for our former Chair, Grace Lewis, the Councillor for Westwood.
Campaigning can be daunting if you’ve never done it, but with our brilliant team of External Campaigns Officers and experienced exec it’s open to all and easy to participate, and of course we often hold socials after!
Socials
To unwind we have a huge range of regular socials, both involving drinking and not. From bar crawls across the Parade of Leamington, to packed circles, club nights, film viewings, live streams of political debates and more! Circles are a huge deal at Warwick Left Society. As we have two amazing Social Secretaries, our circles are rammed with games, fun and great people. We also run charity circles, raising money for our charity of the term in the most fun way possible. Many socials are collaborations with other societies on the Left, such as our garden-themed circle with Climate Justice this term and our Halloween circle with 93% Club. The social events offer opportunities for members to connect and collaborate, and there’s always something to look forward to. Check out our Instagram for the latest information.
Talks & Events
Our Talks and Events Officers hold a multitude of events that range from political discussions to speakers on the left, as well as our much loved Pints and Policy, where topical debates get heated (but funnier) under the influence of alcohol! Our most recent P&P event debated whether or not Labour should form a coalition with the Tories, and the chances of Karl Marx winning against 100 gorillas (it’s safe to say Marx won that fight). We host high-profile speakers from Parliament and the wider political sphere to bring you insight from politicians, campaigners and thinkers. We also often collaborate with other societies on campus to hold debates on various current affairs, on a wide variety of topics. We are excited to invite a variety of speakers to campus. Speakers have included Zarah Sultana, Becky Gittins, Richard Parker and Owen Hatherly, amongst many others.
Liberation
Liberation is fundamental to the politics of our society. The values of anti-racism, feminism, LGBTQ+ liberation and the liberation of disabled people are inextricable from class politics. We have five active liberation caucuses which hold their own events and seek to work with the liberation societies on campus as closely as possible! These include LGBTQIA+, Trans, BAME, Disabilities and Mental Health (DMH) and Women’s caucuses. We hold events such as Feminist Movie Night and circles with societies such as PLAN, and are in support of Warwick Disability Liberation who are a group of radical students advocating for accessibility on campus. Our new caucus leads for the coming year recently held an event to meet them and see what caucuses at Warwick Left Society mean. Our previous caucus leads held a cupcake and cookie decorating event, and sold these to provide funding for the recent NHS strikes in Nottingham.
Charities
Join us in making a difference, with an array of different charity events – circles, film screenings, bake sales, or unique fundraising events – organised by our Charity & Welfare duo, supporting meaningful causes through internal collaborations with our own Social Secretaries and wider university society collaborations. Explore our past and upcoming charity events through keeping up to date on our socials! Looking ahead, our new duo are excited to be organising all sorts of new opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Whether you’re passionate about community support, environmental initiatives, or humanitarian aid, there’s a way for everyone to contribute.
LEFT Magazine
We have our own blog and magazine where we encourage members and left-wing students on campus to write about issues that matter to them and current affairs. Our new Editor in Chief of LEFT has many amazing plans for these new editions. We most recently printed an edition which included articles on the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of “women” and Local Election results, as well as art work. These are available on our website and on LEFT’s separate Instagram page @leftmagwarwick, which includes the link to LEFT’s online blog which is regularly updated.
Sports
Our 5-a-side team plays regularly against other society teams and we get involved in mixed and women’s netball. Last year we held a much beloved Sports Day, organised by our Sports Officer, who invited along our friends in the Warwick Left Network. We had an egg and spoon race, football games and even a BBQ in the sun. During the time of the Euros, we have attended screenings of the England games. Sport gives members a chance to relax and let off steam and all our sporting events are open to all abilities. We even play against other political societies! Follow our Sports Instagram to find out more. @warwickleftsport
Ball
At the end of each academic year we host a ball for our members, alumni and friends to celebrate our achievements throughout the year and finishing exams. We hosted last year’s ball at the Riverside Glasshouse in Leamington. There, our Charities & Welfare Officers and Ball Officer organised fundraising directly for people affected by the conflict in Palestine; we sold polaroid photos and guessed the number of petals in a jar, raising a total of £145. Ball is one of the most exciting events of the year, and we always have the best speakers to liven up the party. Last year we were excited to host our speakers MP Zarah Sultana and Former Chair of Young Left Society, Nabeela Mowlana. This year we held our ball in Leamington’s Victoria House with a three-course meal and left-wing company.
Tour
This year’s tour was to Bristol, organised by our Tour Officer who packed the agenda to guarantee a weekend of fun for those attending. Most recently, during this general election period, we have taken mini tours to Clwyd East in Wales and to Sheffield, taking our brilliant team of campaigners out to canvass for the Left cause, as well as enjoying the new sights. We aim to keep tours as affordable and accessible as possible for all to come who wish, and the location for our next one is currently in the works.
Highlights
Over the years, Warwick Left Society has hosted some unforgettable events which bring people together, some of our favourites include. Legendary bar crawls, a staple of our social calendar. Some notable themes from the last year include Dress Like A Tory, an annual ritual of the society that’s been a standout event for decades. Merging fun with purpose, we saw a successful Charity Bar Crawl last year raising funds for important causes. Stepping into an evening of celebration at our annual Red Tie Ball, where great company, unmissable moments, and a touch of tradition come together for a truly spectacular night. Our lively Pints and Policy gatherings, where thought provoking (and some more light-hearted) debates unfold over a drink, with some exciting collaborations this Term with Discourse Society and Homeless Action Society. When we welcome renowned voices, it’s more than just a talk, it’s an opportunity to engage with inspiring perspectives. With a history of strong turnouts, it is impossible to ignore our special appearance by our own well-known local Member of Parliament, Zarah Sultana. This annual event is one you won’t want to miss!
How to Join us
Become a member by clicking here.