Editorial

DO NOT READ THIS EDITORIAL. Why bother? The rest of this magazine contains far more insightful commentaries than are contained in this monologue.

Take the debate on the use of cannabis, with which this issue of The Oxford Forum kicks off. Raj Persaud, the doyen of psychiatry familiar to radio and television audiences alike, reminds us of the dangers of cannabis use. Danny Kushlick appears to accept Prof Persaud's analysis, but argues that society would be improved by the widespread legalisation of drugs.
The second spread in the "comment" section focuses on education. Gary Craig criticises Sure Start, while Patrick Curry offers valuable insights into the Teach First programme. We then take a look at the state of political parties in Britain today. "British parties" was a late addition to this issue of the Forum, and arose when Peter Hitchens said that he regarded writing on immigration as a "duty rather than a pleasure", and would prefer to explain why the Conservative Party fails to live up to its name. How could we refuse?
Following on, former Lib Dem councillor Richard Huzzey tries to convince us that every dog has its day – although Nick Clegg might argue that the canine analogy in "Bush's poodle" lies on the other side of the plenary house.Alon Or-bach completes the unholy trinity by doing his bit to keep the red flag flying, exploring ways in which the Labour Party might successfully renew itself while in office. Meanwhile, Matthew Powell reports from the foreign secretary's speech in Oxford.
The immigration section is this issue's attempt to capture a big public policy debate – and, as Tenelle Porter reveals, a moral issue. As Maria Grasso suggests, one cannot hope to represent the entire spectrum of views on this controversial matter in just eight pages. But we've made some headway. Damian Green says that a "Conservative government would introduce controls designed to help the British economy and British workers". The shadow immigration minister thinks that imported labour "can only ever be a short-term answer to shortages in our own workforce". In stark contrast, political campaigner Teresa Hayter puts the case for the abolishment of immigration controls altogether.
From immigration to branding: Nicholas Ind explores the nuances of image and reputation, while Sarah Williams offers lessons from Deloitte's advertising campaign. Danielle Chidlow experienced very different challenges as head of communications at the National Gallery in London: she gives us her take. Frances Cairncross discusses American universities' preoccupation with "consumer satisfaction", and draws lessons for Oxford. It is revealed that Yale's endowment per student is five times that of Oxford at £592,500 – but perhaps that's an article for another issue.
Our cover feature is childhood. George Rousseau considers the scourge of "hyper-parenting", while Edie Friedman assesses the plight of underage refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.
Another feature in this issue is film, the globe-trotting creation of deputy editor Matthew Powell. Ben McCann takes us to the pictures in France; Lucian Robinson to America's independent studios; Andrew Shail to Hollywood; and Boyd van Hoeij to meet "Joe" in Thailand. Chris Pilkington calls the section to a close along the US-Mexican border, the setting of Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men.
Finally, we finish with some cultural delights. And what delights they are: Neel Mukherjee reviews Shaun Tan's The Arrival, declaring it "a masterpiece"; and Clare Fisher interviews maverick director Katie Mitchell.
I hope that you were tempted away from this page many paragraphs ago; if not, you must be mad, bored or very keen. If the latter, I suggest you write to us at the email address below. The Forum is always looking for new recruits eager to put together a magazine such as this, or indeed to write an article.
We look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, happy reading.

Sam Langfield
Autumn 2008