This stirring organ comes
to you from the moles in the Oxford University Fabian Society, Balliol Left
Caucus and the nascent University Left Forum. It aims to fill a gap
that many left-wingers here have felt keenly. We hope to become a
regular magazine for undergraduates to discuss left-wing issues in
an intelligent but informal way, well away from the crude nonsense
of the electioneering political clubs.
The biggest problem has
been the title. Chris Brooke liked "Schopenhauer and Suicide
or Socialism and Struggle", but it was a bit long; "Fifth
Column" was not what we wanted. I was just desperate to avoid
calling it "Oxford Left Fabian Review", and think that "The
Voice of the Turtle" works. It's a quote from the Song of Solomon,
and we hope you find the name frivolous and not simply pretentious.
If you can think of a better one please suggest it - but puns on 'Left',
'Sinister' and 'Revolution' will be vetoed by the democratically centralised
editorial board.
In many ways the contents
reflect the sad state of Oxford's undergraduate politics - dominated
by PPEists and middle-class middle-aged males. Only four Colleges,
Worcester, Merton, Balliol and New College are represented. There
are few jokes, and they aren't funny.
But if you don't like what's
in it, please try to write something better for the next issue rather
than rejecting the whole thing as a waste of time. I am already collecting
pieces for a second issue towards the end of term. Do please send
letters, replies and more articles to me at Balliol.
Ben Fender.
