Oxford Union Future Leader Ousted Due to Conservative Activist Posts

Student society event
Charlie Kirk and George Abaraonye took part in a discussion at the Oxford Union in May

The president-elect of the Oxford Union has been removed from his position after losing a no-confidence vote that followed his disputed social media posts about the conservative activist.

The motion against the student leader achieved the required super-majority to remove him from office, according to an statement from the organization.

Disputed Comments

The controversy began after Mr Abaraonye reportedly posted messages on online platforms that appeared to celebrate the death of the American conservative figure, who was fatally shot while addressing a university in the United States.

According to reports, one Instagram post reportedly read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an elongated version of the phrase 'lol'.

The president-elect is also reported to have written in a messaging group with other members seeming to express approval of the event.

Election Results

The vote of confidence was conducted over the recent days, with results revealed on this week.

Society announcements indicated that over twelve hundred votes were cast in favor of removal, while 501 were opposed the motion.

The notice stated that the future president was considered to have resigned in following the Oxford Union's rules.

Society notice
The student society announced the outcome of the confidence motion on Tuesday morning

Procedural Disputes

Proceedings were informally suspended early on Monday after the election official was allegedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from several representatives.

In a response, Mr Abaraonye claimed that the vote tally had been halted because electoral officials believed "no valid outcome could be reached as a result of procedural failures".

His response unequivocally denied that any representative acting for George had participated in threatening or obstructive conduct.

Continuing Controversy

The president-elect maintained that significant concerns had been referred to the governing body and that he continued as president-elect.

His comment added that George was "grateful and honored to have the support of significantly more than half of students at Oxford" who supported a "safe election and oppose efforts to undermine the electoral process".

Critics have argued that any failure to remove him would "demonstrate internationally that the society has chosen ideology over integrity".

Charlie Kirk speaking
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while addressing a university in last month

External Responses

On recently, Kirk's former chief of staff read out an public message to the Oxford Union on The Charlie Kirk Show broadcast.

The message criticized the union of becoming a place where "student leaders openly applaud the assassination of a political opponent".

The statement warned that if Mr Abaraonye were to keep his position, Kirk's allies would "directly reach out to every American political speaker who has ever spoken at the society and urge them never again to lend their name".

The Oxford Union had previously criticized the student's remarks after the activist's killing and stated that concerns filed against him had been referred for official review.

The president-elect had been one of multiple members to debate with Kirk at the union in spring.

Claire Greene
Claire Greene

A passionate food writer and home cook with a love for British cuisine and sharing culinary adventures.

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