
WHATSOC? Politics Association!
In the first of a series on the political societies in Southampton, The Tab catches up with Tim Riminton, president of the Southampton University Politics Association. So what exactly does your society do? Give […]
In the first of a series on the political societies in Southampton, The Tab catches up with Tim Riminton, president of the Southampton University Politics Association.
So what exactly does your society do? Give us a quick summary.
Southampton University Politics Association (SUPA) is a departmental society for politics, open to anyone with a general interest in the subject. We run events, campaigns and socials, which enable students to meet people with similar interests and stay in tune with current political debates.
Why did you set up the society?
SUPA was established as a departmental society. We don’t know its exact origins, but we know that in 2006-7 a new person reformed a politics society in a very dire state and she re-branded it SUPA.
What’s the best thing about your society?
It’s *SUPA!*… Get it?! Perhaps one of the best things about SUPA is the remit to abuse that terrible pun…
What’s the most fun you’ve had and why?
Last year we visited Parliament. Some of us got to see the House of Commons and House of Lords before a debate in one of the Select Committee rooms. We had Labour, Liberals, Tories, non-party affiliated students all sat around the same table discussing equality, amongst other topics. It was wonderful.
Does your society have any weird traditions or stories?
No. How boring!
What are you doing at the moment?
A debate on austerity Britain involving lecturers is in the pipeline. On the campaigning front we’ve spent this year strengthening links with youth engagement ‘Bite the Ballot’ and are just about to storm local colleges to run workshops encouraging young people to think about how politics affects them. The ‘Rock Enrol’ campaign is reconnecting thousands of young people with politics across the UK. It’s just spread to the EU and has support from Rock the Vote in the states. It’s all very exciting!
Jesters or sobar?
Jesters
Wessex Scene or Soton Tab
Soton Tab