May must fall: PM’s portrait removed from Oxford University display

Poor old Theresa May. Last week, a portrait of the Prime Minister was unveiled at Oxford University as part of their ‘wall of geography women’. But the PM’s time on the wall at her former university has been short-lived. A group calling themselves ‘Not all Geographers’ is claiming success after May’s portrait was taken down following an outcry from angry students. A spokesman for the group had told Oxford student paper Cherwell:

‘The main, and most basic, issue comes with the celebration of a sitting Prime Minister. Should a department align itself with the power of the day, when there are those who actively challenge it? It is unprecedented to celebrate state power in such a way (regardless of one’s political affiliation).’

#NotAllGeographers have creatively intervened for geographers everywhere to challenge the installation of a Theresa May portrait in Oxford Geography without consultation of the student body (at least). This is unacceptable and does little to inspire confidence in critical thought pic.twitter.com/HqwMqaO56O

— NotAllGeographers (@NGeographers) May 5, 2018

Now that campaigners have managed to remove May’s portrait, Mr S wonders whether they will turn their attention to the picture which had appeared next to the PM: Doreen Massey, formerly an advisor to Hugo Chavez… UPDATE: Mr S is pleased to report that common sense has prevailed. Oxford University said the portrait was only taken down to protect it, and that it would be put back up.