The Oxford Union, maybe the best known debating society worldwide, consistently provokes media attention. Recent Daily Telegraph detection (22nd September): “Oxford Union members get sex shop discount as ‘treat'”. German media also jumps on the bandwagon. Süddeutsche Zeitung today (23rd September) reports headlining “Elite-Rabatt im Sexshop”.

In some areas several VDCH debating clubs may follow suit the Union – it may be doubted that this special area may be part of those. The discount seems to provoke debates in the Union, too. The Daily Telegraph reports:

“‘It’s incongruous with the image of the Union, its prestigious history and the list of great and good who have spoken there,’ one source said. ‘It is a sign of the times. Even a few years ago this wouldn’t have happened, or, if it had, it would have kicked up a storm of debate.’ Earlier this year, the Union’s former executive team debated the initiative’s introduction after it was claimed some “reasonable members” had become offended by it.”