The next generation
Thursday, January 10, 2008 
I have just accepted an invitation to address the Oxford Hayek Society. The OHS is a libertarian society at Oxford University, committed to the advancement of individual liberty. I'm delighted to do it because part of our long-term strategy is to develop links with student groups with a view to influencing the next generation.
Another reason is that the late Lord Harris (former chairman of Forest and the inspiration for The Free Society) was himself a disciple of Hayek. According to Ralph's obituary in The Times (see HERE):
A frank apologist for free markets, Harris was among a group of post-war economists inspired by Friedrich Hayek who, at a time when it was deeply unfashionable, opposed the legacy of government planning left by John Maynard Keynes and proposed an unbound capitalist society.
This will be my first speaking engagement at Oxford since February 2005 when I joined forces with Forest patron Antony Worrall Thompson to oppose the motion that "This House would ban smoking in all public places". Proposing the motion, at the Oxford Union, was Professor Sir Charles George, president of the British Medical Association, and Lord Faulkner of Worcester.
Sadly the result was a win for the ayes, 118 - 82. Ironically, a few months earlier the Union had been forced to reverse a self-imposed smoking ban because they were losing so much money as students deserted the Union bar in favour of the local pubs!
Events
Reader Comments (2)
When, oh when, will the libertarian-leaners of this country join forces under one banner and become a real force to be reckoned with?
Congratulations on your engagement, Simon. It's a step in the right direction, but what's needed is a Gulliver-sized stride in this land of Lilliputian mentalities.
(I impressed myself there.. LOL)
Here's an interesting site:
http://www.tpuc.org/