I sat down to watch today’s PMQs, expecting yet another clash about the economy. However, what I watched was the most remarkable and heated exchange in my living memory, far outclassing any of the Thatcher EU clashes I have watched so many times on YouTube.

David Cameron showed complete disgust and anger at the Prime Minister’s foolish and calculating claim that Cameron was only talking about the tragic yet completely avoidable death of Baby P, for partisan reasons. What a disgraceful man the PM is for suggesting such things. Whilst half-heartedly apologising for his claims, he never looked truly apologetic.

Brown started off by saying “every child is precious” in his trademark un-compassionate style. When Cameron rebutted he was shouted down by the Labour MPs in perhaps the most repulsive few minutes I have seen MPs act to date.

Watching the conflict back on the BBC website, it does not convey the sense of anger on Cameron’s behalf, but it was by far the most moving and provoking speech I certainly have ever heard. For those who witnessed PMQs live, you witnessed a very unique moment today.

The sad thing is, I was telling some of my friends at football today about how inspiring and refreshing Cameron’s attitude is, but they themselves cannot see beyond the partisan issue. I think any person in the country ought to be moved by what Cameron said and did today, and if you are not, I have to ask where your moral compass lies.

“The risk is not making a change; the risk is sticking with what you have got and expecting things to turn out differently”- David Cameron

As I was watching this year’s Remembrance Sunday service, I inevitably got into a discussion with my housemate over whether it really means anything anymore to the majority of young people (including ourselves) who have never had anything to do with war, whether this be from having relatives serving in the Armed Forces or even serving themselves. A statistic on the BBC website showed that during WW1, 1 in 3 families were directly affected by war, by having either a friend or a relative injured or killed in action. This shocking figure is far from where we stand today.

However, the importance of remembering war and the efforts of our troops to safeguard the way of life we so often take for granted, can never be underestimated. So how can we ensure that the work of our soldiers, alive or deceased, is never forgotten?

I passionately believe that all pupils studying for their GCSEs ought to study history as mandatory subject, and that the curriculum for GCSE history should be heavily focussed on British history. It is only by teaching people that we ensure that the efforts of our Armed Forces are not forgotten.

But how can we ensure that future generations truly appreciate the sacrifices made for the good of our nation? This is a more difficult question as it requires people not to simply learn, but to engage. I remember myself as GCSE history student not too long ago, on a school trip to Belgium and France. We were taken to one of the largest war memorials in the country, with thousands upon thousands of white crosses. An incredible sight, though I have to admit it did not bring me to tears as I felt it should. Why was this? Whilst I understood the sacrifice people had made for my generation, and generations to come, I could not fully comprehend nor appreciate it, as it seemed so distant from where society stood now. Young people have to have some sort of practical experiences- these are the activities that remain in the memory, as it is highly unlikely that the majority of people will ever feel the effects of war personally. Why not have members of the Armed Forces brought into schools to give talks to pupils about their own experiences (on full pay of course)? Why not have more school trips to war memorials and museums, led by army veterans, so that people can see what was done and hear a firsthand account of what life was like in war?

My step-grandfather flew spitfire planes during WW2- he, like many veterans, enjoys telling their story and their accounts. There are hundreds of veterans from across the country who would relish the opportunity to tell young people what life was really like, in a time with no ‘Wiis’ or McDonalds. Sadly, these brave men and women cannot be around forever and soon we will lose the firsthand accounts of the world wars. That is why it is imperative that we act now, so all is not lost for future generations. Historians can only play a small part- it is up to the people of Britain to actively understand what it is that remembrance is all about.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

On Friday 7^th November, the Nottingham University Conservative Association hosted the ‘Student Life: Conservative Coalition Tour’. This was the third stop on its nationwide tour, and with successful visits previously to UEA CF and Exeter CF, there was much to look forward to.

The panel consisted of: Simon Richards from the Freedom Association, Tim Aker from the TaxPayers’ Alliance, Ed Hallam from ‘The Young Conservative’ blog, Patrick Sullivan from the CF NME, and Roger Helmer MEP, with Will Bickford Smith (NUCA President) chairing the debate.

Topics of conversation were varied, with questions asked on Labour’s potential revival after Glenrothes; the effects of the 1.5% cut in interest rates; renewable energy; George Osbourne’s position as Shadow Chancellor; and blogging and participation to name a few. Questions were also asked from the floor.

The evening was a great success with 22 NUCA members attending the event, which was followed by drinks in ‘Mooch’ with drinks kindly provided by Simon Richards.

The Nottingham University Conservative Association would like to extend a big thank you to all the panellists who made the journey to Nottingham, and especially to Patrick Sullivan who has coordinated the whole tour and given members of Conservative Future the chance to hear from a wide range of speakers from across the conservative movement.

 Will Bickford Smith (NUCA President) has just had his interview with YBF published on their website.

Click here to see what he had to say!

Cameron then asked Brown about the more serious issue- that the recession will hit us harder than every other State in the Europe other than Latvia and Estonia. He also enquired why Britain has the highest personal debt in the word and one of the highest budget deficits in the world.

So to any SU Council members reading this, please vote against re-affiliation to the NUS for Nottingham University, and let us retain our proud status as one of the best Universities in the country.