Oxford Union Term Hilary 2023

Dear Members,

Happy New Year and welcome back to Oxford. It is an honour and privilege to welcome you into the 200th year of the Oxford Union; I hope that this termcard and the rest of the year showcases the Society at its best. The Union flourishes when it has a clear sense of what it is: a society that does not shy away from challenging beliefs, that is committed to providing engaging experiences, and that seeks to make the student experience as formative as possible.

The perceptive amongst you might have noticed that the background to the term card front cover is an old page from the Society’s minute books. In fact, it is from a debate in 1827. I was looking for Mr Gladstone’s scribblings as Secretary and stumbled across this page, documenting a debate in the manner we continue to do every Thursday.

One can even spot a ‘Mr C. Macintosh, New College’, an extraordinary coincidence referring to a man presumably arguing about corn laws rather than data laws but engaging in the same conversation we continue today. Looking back over the last two centuries makes us realise how little that conversation has changed; this term card is full of debates about foreign policy and theology, discussions of history and politics, and represents a battle between those who care about free expression and those who wish to suppress it.

In some key ways, however, that conversation has changed. In 1827, women and non-Christians were unable to participate in it, deemed unworthy of the right to free expression. Society, and this Society, has come a long way since then and, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the admission of women as full members of the Oxford Union on the 8th February we shall re-emphasise that there is no circumstance in which it is justifiable to prevent an individual from expressing themselves. Everyone must be allowed to participate in that

Charlie Mackintosh The President

conversation, no matter how much we disagree with them; that is the meaning of free speech.

With that spirit in mind, I offer a challenge to you, the members. Your time at university will probably be the only time in your life when you have access to such a formative and fascinating range of conversations so please take this opportunity to challenge your beliefs and those of others as much as possible. If you are a dyed-in-the-wool Conservative, come and listen to Senator Bernie Sanders criticise capitalism; challenge your view of history, pacifism, or same-sex marriage by engaging in debates on these topics; question Peter Thiel on his support for certain political groups, or Munroe Bergdorf on her comments on race; speak to that member who asked a question you disagreed with. Just take every opportunity to question the beliefs that you and those around you hold, or you will never know if you truly believe them. That is the ultimate privilege of university and it is the ultimate duty of the Oxford Union: to have a space to question, away from the oppressive forces of dogma that continue to restrict free speech in the university and across the world.

I am immensely proud to be leading the Society into this historic year and I hope that this term card makes every one of you reconsider your most fundamentally held beliefs. Whilst challenging, thinking, and debating, have a wonderful term and enjoy the events herein. Happy Bicentenary!

Yours aye,

Mr Charlie Mackintosh New College president@oxford-union.org

Hegde Librarian Sharon Chau Treasurer

It is a privilege to be serving as your Librarian, and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible and hearing your ideas for the Union.

This term is a very special one, as it commemorates 60 years since women gained the right to join the Union. The story of women at the Union has been one of true courage and determination - in 1961, two students disguised themselves as men to gain entry and it took until February 1963 to see the first female member.

Today, we celebrate the achievements of women, whilst acknowledging the issues we continue to face - through our International Women’s Day celebrations, and discussing some of the most pertinent issues of our time such as the Uyghur genocide and the regime in Iran.

Here, members have the opportunity to meet, challenge, and be inspired by influential figures. This is where Nixon first publicly apologised for the Watergate scandal and where Malcolm X demanded racial justice ‘by any means necessary’.

This Hilary, we will hear from speakers including Bernie Sanders, Tarana Burke, Natalie Dormer and Rebecca Black - we have really tried to ensure there is something for everyone!’

A massive welcome to Hilary 2023 at the Oxford Union! With this being my seventh and last (finally!) term on committee, it is a real honour to be serving as your Treasurer.

We have an exciting line-up of debates for you this term, where we will speculate on a post-gender future, challenge the Church’s stance on same-sex marriage, and weigh up whether China is a friend or foe. Expect further debates on equality versus growth, Scottish independence, the Great Man view of history, and the reprisal of the iconic 1933 King and Country debate on its 90th anniversary. Come hear world-renowned experts share their thoughts, and join the conversation by making a floor speech!

Here, you will also find an exciting list of Treasurer’s Treats, exclusive discounts offered to Union members by businesses in Oxford and beyond. And look out for amazing floor speech prizes - you could be taking home anything from cupcakes to £100 vouchers. Lastly, please do join our Finance Committee meetings on Mondays at 3pm to scrutinise our budgets and finances.

P.S. A special shout-out to the Lunar New Year social, an event close to my heart which promises authentic Chinese bites and drinks, a photo booth, and more. Happy Hilary and 新年快樂!

Miss Sharon Chau University College treasurer@oxford-union.org

Miss Disha Hegde

St. John’s College librarian@oxford-union.org

Disha

Tom Elliott Secretary

Greetings, members! I hope you have had lovely holidays and are looking forward to the New Year and the wide array of socials on offer this Hilary. As the Secretary, it is my job to make sure that the social side of the Union flourishes, and whilst the speaker events and debates this term are undeniably spectacular, I hope that some of you will join me to put your feet up, relax, and enjoy one of Oxford’s greatest social venues.

It’s fair to say that there is a social this term for everybody. For those seeking to exercise (flex?) their intellect, there are four pub quizzes and, if dancing’s more your thing, we are hosting two Union Bops, one during Pink Week and one on Valentine’s Day. Wine, Cheese, and Jazz is back for another term, whilst other socials include football viewings, Lunar New Year celebrations, and a Burns Night ‘Cèilidh. The Union’s Ice and Fire Ball will undoubtedly be the pinnacle of this array of socials. Expect fire eaters, ice sculptures, the classic silent disco, unlimited cocktails, and even alcoholic milkshakes. I’ll see you there.

Finally, keep an eye on the noticeboard for the minutes of the Union’s committees and don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any queries or concerns.

See you around!

Mr Tom Elliott New College secretary@oxford-union.org

Celebrating our Bicentenary:

In 1823, a secret meeting was held amongst a group of students to find a way to counter limits placed on certain topics, such as religion, by the University of Oxford. Those students planted the seeds that would grow to be the Oxford Union, the world’s most famous debating society and, in the words of Harold MacMillan (Librarian, Michaelmas 1914, Balliol College) ‘the last bastion of free speech in the Western World’.

Free speech has always been the heart of the Oxford Union’s mission and purpose. We believe that one’s ability to freely engage with the ideas of those from all backgrounds, walks of life, and ways of thinking is the most essential part of one’s development and education; in the words of Herbert Morrah (President, Michaelmas 1894, St John’s College), who published a history of The Union’s first one hundred years in 1923:

‘Now, although there were, in the beginning of the nineteenth century, many Oxfords ; and though there are to-day many more ; it is not difficult to discover what has always been the most important of those characteristics which make of University life a thing apart. It is free discussion.’

As we look back on those two centuries of free speech, there is much to celebrate, from debate motions that have reverberated around the world to internationally prominent figures that have been scrutinised during intense exchanges, not least forgetting all those who have contributed to The Union’s 200 year journey. Throughout the course of our Bicentennial Year, we will organise a series of events that commemorate this history, those individuals, and our achievements.

As well as looking back, however, we must look forwards. The Oxford Union has new challenges to overcome, from resisting attempts to curtail free speech to ensuring the preservation of our tangible heritage in our historic buildings, and maintaining our commitment that liberation of debating and oracy should be available to all those who seek it out. We hope that, with the continued support and engagement of our members across the world, we can meet those challenges and continue to be an intrinsic part of Oxonian student life and international discussions for centuries to come.

[ 200 years of Free Speech

NOTABLE DATES FOR HILARY TERM 2023 AND THE EASTER VACATION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

28th January 2023 Intervarsity Bicentenary Debate

8th February 2023 60th Anniversary of the Admission of women as full members

9th February 2023 90th Anniversary of the King and Country Debate

24th February 2023 The Oxford Union Bicentenary Debate

5th April 2023 The 200th Anniversary of the first Oxford Union debate.

Debates

The Oxford Union was established 200 years ago to protect and uphold the principle of free speech, and debating remains at the heart of the Society today. In that timeless tradition, debates are normally held on Thursday evenings during term, with the following timings:

19:45 20:30

Emergency Debate. Featuring only student speakers, our Emergency Debates seek to address topical issues, with motions being set weekly. Check our Facebook page and Noticeboard on Monday evenings for the motion of the week.

Main Debate. With high profile speakers from around the world, our Main Debates address pressing questions on a variety of topics.

In the Main Debate, Points of Information (POIs) can be offered to speakers during their speeches. These can be put forward by raising your hand and stating “Point of Information”. The speaker may reject a POI. However, if they choose to accept, a statement must be given briefly in disagreement to the point which has been made. It is then the responsibility of the speaker to respond.

Moreover, before the two final speakers, the chair will look for several members to deliver two minute floor speeches on each side of the debate. There are exciting prizes on offer for the best floor speakers each week.

Members can also ballot to attend the pre-debate dinner with our guest speakers, the form for which will be released each week via email and on our Facebook page.

This House Believes that the Future is Post-Gender 8–9

This House Rejects the ‘Great Man Theory’ of History 10–11

This House Would ‘Sell Out’ 12–13

This House Supports Same-Sex Marriage 14–15 in the Church

This House Would Not Fight For King and Country 16–17

This House Supports an Independent Scotland 18–19

The Oxford Union Bicentenary Debate 20–21

This House Would Prioritise Economic 22–23 Equality over Growth

This House Believes that China is an Existential 24–25 Threat to our Way of Life

Proposition

Activist and star of Channel 4’s Make Me Prime Minister.

‘Masculine and feminine roles are not biologically fixed but socially constructed’. Judith Butler’s quotation challenges biological determinism, and is supported by increased representation of gender fluidity in popular culture and heightened disillusionment with the gender binary. Despite many hoping for a world that transcends gender and sex, others hold that these concepts support feminism and both transgender and cisgender identities, while being liberatory and affirming. Should we live in a society free from gender, and could we ever see a world in which the concept is obsolete?

Opposition

Mr Patricio Manuel

Professional boxer; the first transgender Boxer to have a professional fight in the United States.

Professional model: the first black, transgender, and disabled model to be represented by a major modelling agency.

Ms Aaron Rose Philip

Transgender

Mr Rico Jacob Chace

Nonbinary and intersex Actor and DJ. Mx Ki Griffin

This House Rejects the ‘Great Man Theory’ of History

PHOTO CREDIT © PIXBAY

‘

Proposition

Professor Sir Richard Evans Jesus College

Former Cambridge Regius Professor of History, biographer of Eric Hobshawm, and author of The Third Reich Trilogy

Sir Anthony Beevor

Military Historian and author of Stalingrad and Berlin: The Downfall 1945.

Best-selling Historical Fiction Author.

The history of the world is but the biography of great men’. Thomas Carlyle’s words represent the dominant view of history for centuries; history’s trajectory is primarily shaped by the actions of powerful individuals. On the other hand, historical academia has diversified beyond this concept, emphasising the influence of social groups and movements. However, controversies surrounding statues and individuals have raised questions about the reliance of the public understanding of history on individuals. In turn, this House asks: should we reject the ‘Great Man’ theory of history?

Opposition

Dr David Starkey CBE

Historian, Television Presenter, and author of biographies of Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII, and his wives.

Mr Andrew Gimson

Historian and biographer of the Kings and Queens of England and the British Prime Ministers.

Mr Ken Follett CBE

PHOTO CREDIT © OXFORD UNION, CAMBRIDGE UNION, DURHAM UNION, DUBLIN UNION SOCIETIES

Proposition

The Cambridge Union

The Cambridge Union Society was founded in 1815 and became the first Sister Society of the Oxford Union a decade later in 1825. It is the largest student society in Cambridge, with over 70,000 members worldwide. Notable ex-Officers of the Cambridge Union include RA Butler, Ken Clarke, John Maynard Keynes, Michael Howard, Douglas Hurd, Norman Lamont, and Clare Balding.

The Durham Union

The Durham Union Society was founded in 1842 on the model of the Cambridge and Oxford Unions and became a Sister Society of the Oxford Union shortly afterwards. It is the largest and oldest student society in Durham, with over 40,000 members worldwide. Notable ex-Officers of the Durham Union include Mo Mowlam, Richard Dannatt, and Robert Buckland.

In 1825, the Oxford and Cambridge Unions formalised their relationship as sister societies. Almost 200 years later, the Oxford Union has sister societies worldwide, from Harvard and Yale to Dublin and Durham. On the 28th January, three of those sister societies will join us in Oxford for our Bicentenary Intervarsity Members’ Debate. As hundreds of potential sell-outs flock to Oxford for an evening of debating, drinking, and discussion, the House will debate its members’ futures; should we, or should we not, ‘sell out’? Join us for a night of revelry and celebration.

Opposition

The Phil (Trinity, Dublin)

The University Philosophical Society of Trinity College Dublin was founded in 1683 before being refounded almost 140 years later in 1842. It now has more than 10,000 members worldwide. It was the first student society outside Great Britain to become a Sister Society of the Oxford Union. Notable ex-Officers include Bram Stoker, George Plunkett, Pascal Donohoe, Jonathan Pim, and Udo Udoma.

The Oxford Union

The Oxford Union was founded in 1823. It is the oldest and largest student society in Oxford, with over 120,000 members worldwide. Notable ex-Officers include William Gladstone, Herbert Henry Asquith, Ted Heath, Harold MacMillan, Boris Johnson, William Hague, Michael Foot, Roy Jenkins, Benazir Bhutto, George Curzon, Cosmo Lang, William Temple, Michael Heseltine, Edwina Currie and Tony Benn.

PHOTO CREDIT © ROD LONG @ UNSPLASHED

Proposition

Rt Rev and Rt Hon. John Inge, Lord Bishop of Worcester

Keble College

Anglican Lord Bishop of Worcester and Lord High Almoner to HM The King.

Ms Jayne Ozanne

Magdalen College

LGBTQ+ activist, evangelical Anglican, former member of the Church of England General Synod, and founder of Ozanne Foundation.

Rt Rev. Martin Gorrick, Lord Bishop of Dudley

Ripon College, Cuddesdon

Anglican Lord Bishop of Dudley

Currently, Church of England members of the clergy are not permitted to carry out same-sex marriages, whilst homosexual Anglicans are required to remain celibate. In recent years, however, the Church in Wales, the Scottish Episcopal Church, and, most recently, the Methodist Church, have all embraced marriage equality. On 6th February 2023, the General Synod of the Church of England is expected to discuss this issue, raising the question across the Anglican Communion and Christendom: should Christianity extend the sacrament to same-sex marriages?

Opposition

Dr Ian Paul

St John’s College

Former member of the Church of England General Synod, writer, blogger, and public speaker on matters of Christian theology.

Rev. Calvin Robinson

St Stephen’s House Deacon in the Free Church of England, political commentator, and broadcaster.

Proposition

Mr Tariq Ali

Exeter

College Ex-President (Trinity 1965), Activist, Writer, and public intellectual.

Mr Brian Eno

Musician, Composer, and President of the Stop the War Coalition. (TBC)

On 9th February 1933, Oxford Union members voted 275 to 153 in favour of the motion ‘This House will under no circumstances fight for its King and Country’, a result met with outrage from the political establishment. Sir Winston Churchill described the vote as an ‘abject, squalid, shameless avowal’, citing it as a reason for Adolf Hitler’s later brinkmanship. Ninety years to the day after this motion was first put to the House, would this House still not fight for its sovereign and kingdom?

Opposition

Former Captain in the Royal Green Jackets, MP for Bournemouth East, and Chair of the Defence Select Committee.

General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO

Rt Hon. Tobias Ellwood VR MP Chief of the General Staff of the United Kingdom.

Rt Hon. The Lord Sedwill of Sherbourne GCMG

St Edmund Hall

Former Ambassador to Afghanistan, Former National Security Advisor, and Former Cabinet Secretary (Head of the Home Civil Service).

PHOTO CREDIT © EMPHYRIO @ PIXABAY

Proposition

Leader of the Alba Party, Former Leader of the Scottish National Party, and Former First Minister of Scotland.

Former SNP MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, Former SNP Spokesperson on Trade, and Alba Party Parliamentary Candidate.

Let auld acquaintance be forgot? Since 1707, Scotland and England have been united under one crown, a relationship that has survived domestic and global crises. However, relations have frayed in recent years and support for Scottish Independence has grown significantly, culminating in the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum. Following dramatic changes in the landscape of British and global politics, a resurgent bid for Scottish Independence has gained support. Should Westminster allow for a second referendum? Is independence a prospect worth supporting?

Opposition

Rt Hon. Carwyn Jones

Former Leader of Welsh Labour and Former First Minister of Wales.

Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Western and Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Mr Alexander Hamilton-Cole MSP

Mrs Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh OBE

Rt Hon. Alex Salmond

PHOTO CREDIT © OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

Rt Hon. Michael Gove MP

Lady Margaret Hall

Ex-President (Hilary 1988), Conservative MP for Surrey Heath, and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.

Mr Gyles Brandreth

New College

Ex-President (Michaelmas 1969), Former Conservative MP for the City of Chester, Broadcaster, and Author.

The Oxford Union Bicentenary Debate

200 years ago, a group of students met secretly in Christ Church to discuss matters of religion and politics prohibited by the university, establishing the Oxford Union Society. Today it is the University of Oxford’s oldest and largest student society and the world’s most famous debating society. To celebrate our bicentennial, we are hosting a ‘Bicentenary Debate’ and look forward to welcoming back several of our most influential former officers. Join us on the 24th of February to hear what they have to say about the Society.

Rt Hon. The Lord Heseltine of Thenford CH PC

Pembroke College

Ex-President (Michaelmas 1954), Member of the House of Lords, and Former Deputy Prime Minister.

Amanda Pritchard CBE

St Anne’s College

Ex-Librarian (Hilary 1996) and CEO of NHS England.

PHOTO CREDIT CCO PUBLIC DOMAIN

Proposition

Professor Jonathan Portes

Former Chief Economist at the Cabinet Office, Professor of Economics at King’s College, London, and Senior Fellow at ‘UK in a Changing Europe’.

Professor Jagjit Chadha OBE

Director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research

The pursuit of economic growth has been the cornerstone of Western economic policy for decades. However, the aftermath of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the threat of climate change has led to ever-increasing calls for change. Advocates for economic growth argue that it rewards the hardworking and raises standards of living, yet others rebuke ‘trickledown economics’ as dysfunctional and unfair; in the midst of these discussions, should the state primarily focus on economic equality or should growth remain its ultimate goal?

Opposition

Rt Hon. The Lord Hannan of Kingsclere

Oriel College

Founder of ‘Vote Leave’, Member of the House of Lords, and Advisor to the Board of Trade.

Mrs Harriet Baldwin MP

Lady Margaret Hall

Conservative MP for West Worcestershire and Chair of the Treasury Select Committee.

Mr Peter Bone

Conservative MP for Wellingborough and leading Eurosceptic.

PHOTO CREDIT © HENNIE STANDER @ UNSPLASH

Proposition

Mr Wu’er Kaixi

Uyghur-Chinese exile, Tiananmen Square Protest Organiser, and anti-China activist.

Rt Hon. Sir Ian Duncan-Smith MP

Co-Chair of the Interparliamentary Alliance on China, Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, and Former Leader of HM Most Loyal Opposition.

From China’s treatment of the Uyghurs and strict COVID-19 policy, to its state surveillance and aggressive foreign policy, growing numbers of critics view China as an existential threat to freedom and democracy. However, others liken China’s actions to those of the USA or argue that it has been a positive force, lifting more than 800 million people from poverty. Are criticisms of China simply an imposition of a Western value system or does China really pose an existential threat to our way of life?

Opposition

Miss Cindy Yu

Christ Church

Ex-Standing Committee, Broadcast Editor for The Spectator, and Presenter of the Chinese Whispers podcast.

TBC Speaker

THE PERCH

PHOTO CREDIT © THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

Special Events

Since the Union’s foundation 200 years ago, it has served as a forum for the discussions that matter. Whilst Parliamentary-style debate can capture the imagination, it can at times overshadow topics where more intimate discussion is helpful. To that end, we have organised a range of special events in addition to our usual schedule of speakers and debates, including panels and direct head-to-heads.

This term, we are proud to host conversations on a wide variety of topics. From the Uyghur Genocide, to Affirmative Action, to the protests in Iran, we are hosting conversations on the most pertinent issues of our age.

Our special events are incredibly worth your time and attention this term. Challenge your preconceptions and open your mind to new experiences, perspectives, and ideas.

PHOTO CREDITS © OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

The Future of British Government:

Re-writing an unwritten constitution

Britain’s constitution is based on precedence, convention, and statutory law, some of which dates back to the Middle Ages, but most of which dates only from the turn of the 20th century. Britain’s constitutional model has seen increasing scrutiny with the issues of electoral reform, the role of the House of Lords, and the nature of the office of Prime Minister gaining ever-greater relevance. A string of constitutional crises, disproportionate electoral results, and changes in public opinion have raised serious questions about the United Kingdom’s model of government; is it finally time for serious constitutional change?

BBC exit poll Psephologist,

and

(2010-2015).

Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Secretary of State for Business

Former UK Supreme Court Justice and Mediæval Historian.

The Rt Hon. Sir Vince Cable

The Rt Hon. Lord Jonathon Sumption

Professor,

Political Scientist.

Professor Sir John Curtice Keble College

Should the West support regime change in Iran?

Following the death of Mahsa Amini in Iranian police custody, a wave of civil unrest has gripped Iran. Arguing for a repeal of the mandatory Hijab law, equal civil and political rights, and the downfall of the Islamic Republic, the protests pose an unprecedented threat to Iran’s theocratic regime. While some argue that the West should support the regime change, others say intervention would only taint the movement’s legitimacy in Iran. Should the West give support, or will it only backfire?

Former Head of Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service and Master of Christ’s College, Cantab.

University of Cambridge Lecturer and expert on Middle Eastern politics, intergovernmental relations Consultant, and Commentator on Iran.

MAIN

TBC

Rt Hon. The Lord MacDonald of Salford GCMG KCVO

Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian

Speaker

Behind the Barbed Wire Fence: Trends and Developments in the Uyghur Genocide

In January 2021, the United States Government declared that China had ‘committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs’ in Xinjiang. Despite similar declarations from dozens of governments, the plight of the Uyghurs has been pushed out of the news cycle and the actions of the Chinese state largely met by silence. Are millions of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz still imprisoned, while mosques and historic sites are being demolished? What has changed behind the barbed wire fence?

Uyghur Human Rights Lawyer and Activist whose family are imprisoned in internment camps in Xinjiang.

Lead Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević and Chair of the China Tribunal and Uyghur Tribunal examining human rights abuses in China.

TBC

Rayhan Asat Sir Geoffrey Nice KC Keble College Speaker

Head to Head: This House Supports Affirmative Action

In the US Supreme Court case Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, plaintiffs alleged that Harvard’s race-conscious admissions policy unlawfully discriminates against Asian-American applicants on account of their race. Some support affirmative action to correct historical injustices and ensure equal opportunities for marginalised groups. However, others contend that its preferential nature undermines equal opportunity and fails to capture the nuances of social inequity. Is Affirmative Action necessary for social equality, or does it only undermine that pertinent goal?

Dr. Richard Johnson

Queen Mary’s Lecturer and Author, who has written on several areas of American politics, including race, rights and elections.

Adam K. Mortara

University of Chicago Law School Lecturer and trial Lawyer who represented AsianAmerican plaintiffs in the Supreme court case.

This House Believes that Science and Religion are Incompatible

From Aquinas to Anselm, Luther to Lewis, Christian apologists have advocated for the compatibility of their faith with science and reason. However, in this head-to-head debate we propose that in a new age of enlightenment science and religion cannot live together. This age-old question has been at the forefront of theologians, philosophers, and scientists’ minds for centuries. Our two speakers will discuss whether there is conflict between the two fields, whether they should be seen as one and the same discipline, or whether they can both coexist independently.

PROPOSITION

Mr Alex O’Connor St John’s College

YouTuber ‘Cosmic Skeptic’ and author.

Professor John Lennox Green Templeton College

Oxford Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, Bioethicist, and leading Christian apologist.

OPPOSITION

TBC

IMAGE BY STEMPOW FROM PIXABAY

PHOTO

HOUSE

A Play by James Graham

The Oxford Union Chamber

Speakers

Each term we aim to bring to the Union a plethora of unique and influential speakers. Throughout our 200 year history, we have hosted the world’s most prominent leaders, including HH the Dalai Lama, HM Queen Elizabeth II, and U.S. Presidents Carter, Nixon, Reagan, and Clinton. We hope that there will be something for everyone in a term that brings together pioneers and leaders in almost every field to the Union

The committee will be working hard throughout the term to add new speakers to this line-up – check the website, Facebook page, or the mailing list (which you can join via the website or through emailing enquiries@oxford-union.org) for the most up to date list of events. Make sure to look out for Facebook events where you can find the ballot to join the meet and greets with the speakers.

Please note that one of the challenges inherent in hosting high calibre speakers is that their schedules can change at short notice. In the rare situation in which this occurs, we will do everything we can to rearrange the event for a different date and ensure that members are given adequate notice of changes or cancellations.

Peter Thiel

Technology Entrepreneur, Investor and Venture Capitalist

Peter Thiel is an American technology entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded PayPal and Palantir, made the first outside investment in Facebook, and has funded companies like LinkedIn and Yelp. Thiel also started the Thiel Foundation, which works to advance technological progress and long-term thinking via funding non-profit research into artificial intelligence, life extension, and seasteading. January 16TH – 20.00

WEEK 1 WEEK 1

Special Event: Collaboration with Oxford Blockchain Soc, UkraineSoc, and Oxford Women in Business

Alona Shevchenko

Alona Shevchenko is the co-founder and operational lead of Ukraine DAO. What began as a group chat set up just days before Russia’s invasion, became a decentralised autonomous organisation. It has raised over $8 million in support of Ukraine using crypto including selling an NFT of the Ukrainian flag. Shevchenko has identified cryptocurrency as an efficient and transparent way to raise funds in a time of crisis. She has also been key in amassing support from big crypto players like Vitalik and Dmitry Buterin.

Co-founder of Ukraine DAO

1 WEEK 1

His Excellency Penpa Tsering

Sikyong of Tibet

Penpa Tsering is the Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan Government in Exile. Prior to his political career, His Excellency was the Executive Director of the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre and Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Office of Tibet in Washington, D.C. He was elected as Sikyong in 2021.

Steve Coll

Journalist and Author

Professor Steve Coll is a staff writer at The New Yorker and the Dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He is the author of eight nonfiction books and a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize. He has written extensively on international politics, American politics, national security, intelligence controversies, and the media.

January 24TH – 15.00

Danny

Cipriani

Professional Rugby Player

Danny Cipriani is an English professional rugby union player who has most recently played for Bath in the Premiership. He has previously played for Gloucester, Sale Sharks, Wasps, and Melbourne Rebels in both the Premiership and Super Rugby. Cipriani has been capped for England 16 times and has played for the England Under-16, Under-19, and Saxons teams. He was voted Player of the Year by the Rugby Players Association in 2019.

Natalie Dormer is a celebrated British actress. After her debut in Casanova, she went on to play roles such as Private Lorraine in Captain America and Cressida in The Hunger Games franchise. Her portrayal of Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones from 2012 to 2016 garnered significant critical acclaim. Her career, however, extends beyond the screen, with her turns in Sweet Nothings and After Miss Julie at the Young Vic commanding praise, and in 2018 she co-wrote In Darkness.

Game of Thrones Actress

Natalie Dormer

Rt Hon. Matt Hancock MP

Matt Hancock is a former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the MP for West Suffolk. He has previously served as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport before serving as Health Secretary during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Hancock resigned after being caught breaking government Covid guidelines. In autumn of 2022, Mr Hancock went on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, finishing third. He has recently published a memoir entitled The Pandemic Diaries.

Ex-Health

Secretary and I’m a Celebrity contestant

Exeter College

Singer and YouTuber

Rebecca Black Rebecca Black is an American singer and YouTube personality who gained fame in 2011 with the release of her single Friday. The song went viral on YouTube, reaching over 160 million views and earning her the ‘Choice Web Star’ title at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards. Her songs, covers, and collaborations have been released on her YouTube channel and across streaming platforms. Her latest EP, Rebecca Black Was Here, was released in 2021, and her upcoming full-length album, Let Her Burn, is due for release in early 2023.

February 12TH – 20.00 WEEK 5

Matt Murray

Journalist

Matt Murray has been the editor in chief of the Wall Street Journal since 2018. In that time he has overseen the investigations into Michael Cohen as well as the Stormy Daniels-Donald Trump scandal, with the latter winning his journal a Pulitzer prize in 2019. He is also the author of The Father and the Son, detailing his father’s return to monastic life.

Gaur Gopal Das

Motivational Speaker, YouTuber, and Monk

Gaur Gopal Das is an Indian monk, lifestyle coach, and motivational speaker. A proponent of the Achintya Bheda Abheda school of thought (the philosophy of ‘inconceivable one-ness and difference’), his YouTube channel currently has more than 4.6 million subscribers and 278 million cumulative views. He recently released an app, ‘Monkify’, with the tagline ‘Monkify your life without having to be a monk’. February 13TH – 17.00

Rt Hon. The Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury PC

Lord Neuberger is a former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, having served from 2012 until 2017, whereupon he was succeeded by Baroness Hale. His trajectory to the Court of Appeal and subsequently the House of Lords was notably swift; at the time of his appointment, he was the youngest sitting Law Lord. Neuberger currently serves as a Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal and the Chair of the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom. He was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society in 2017.

Former President of the UK Supreme Court Christ Church

Jim Acosta

Jim Acosta is an American news anchor and broadcaster who is the chief domestic correspondent for the US network CNN. Under President Obama, he was CNN’s Senior White House Correspondent before serving as Chief Correspondent to the White House during President Trump’s tenure where he became well known for his verbal sparring with the administration.

Senior Broadcaster and Journalist

Professor

John

Ikenberry

International Relations Scholar

Professor Ikenberry is an international relations theorist and the Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. He is one of the leading scholars of the theory of liberalism in international relations theory and is the author of books such as After Victory and Liberal Leviathan

February 17TH – 17.00 WEEK 5

HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi

Head of Saudi Intelligence Services until 9/11 and Former Saudi Ambassador to the UK and USA

Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is Founder of the King Faisal Foundation and Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. In 1977, HRH was appointed Director-General of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID), Saudi Arabia’s main foreign intelligence service, and headed the GID until 2001. HRH then served as Ambassador to the United Kingdom until 2005 and to the USA until his retirement in 2007.

February 21ST – 17.00 WEEK

Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and former captain of the Sri Lankan national cricket team in all three formats of the game. He is the secondhighest international run scorer of all time and, at the point of retirement, the sixth highest run scorer in test cricket history. Sangakkara was Man of the Match in the 2014 ICC World T20 final, winning Sri Lanka their maiden title. He was the first and only non-English President of the Marylebone Cricket Club. He currently coaches Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

Former International Cricketer

It’s OK To Be Angry About Capitalism BOOK LAUNCH

Senator Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders is the senior United States senator for Vermont and the longestserving Independent in US congressional history. A self-described ‘democratic socialist’, Sanders contested the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020. Senator Sanders’ new book, It’s OK To Be Angry About Capitalism, comes out in February and we are delighted to welcome Senator Sanders back to the Union to discuss his book and his vision for the future.

United States Senator for Vermont

Ramiz Raja Chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board

Ramiz Raja is a Pakistani cricket administrator, commentator, and former player and captain of the Pakistan national cricket team. Raja was part of the team that won the Cricket World Cup in 1992. Opening the batting, he scored two centuries in the tournament; in the final, he also took the catch that secured the title for Pakistan. He has since served as the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman from September 2021 to December 2022 but was removed from this role following an unprecedented 0-3 home test series loss against England.

His Excellency

Javier Esteban Figueroa Argentine Ambassador to the United Kingdom

His Excellency is the incumbent Argentine Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He has previously served as Argentine Ambassador to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and most recently to Cuba. Beginning his career in the legal sector, in 2013 he served as Deputy Secretary for affairs relating to the Falkland Islands and South Atlantic.

Julia Fox

Model and Actress

Julia Fox is an Italian-American model and actress. She has appeared in publications such as Vogue, Vogue Italia, V, and Interview. Fox made her film debut in 2019’s Uncut Gems and has subsequently written and directed Fantasy Girls in 2021. In the aftermath of her brief but highly publicised relationship with Kanye West, Fox became an internet sensation, gaining a large following on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. She is attributed with popularising the phrase ‘goblin mode’ which was the Oxford English Dictionary’s ‘word or phrase of 2022’.

Robert Evans Journalist and Podcaster

Robert Evans is an investigative journalist and host of the podcast It Could Happen Here, which imagines potential disasters and what their fallout could be, such as the scenario of a civil war in the United States following the 2016 presidential election. He is the head of Cool Zone Media, a network of progressive-leaning podcasts, creator of the podcast Behind the Bastards, which tells the stories of some of history’s greatest villains, and author of After the Revolution, a dystopian fiction novel about Texas wracked by civil war.

His Excellency

Vikram Doraiswami

High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom

His Excellency is the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, serving in the role since September 2022. He has had a rich diplomatic career, with over 28 years of experience in foreign relations. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992 and has served as Ambassador to Uzbekistan and South Korea, and High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

His Excellency Miguel Berger

German Ambassador to the UK

His Excellency is the incumbent German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, having served in the role since May 2022. His Excellency has been a diplomat for 35 years holding posts in Mexico City, New York, and Palestine before becoming a Secretary of State with responsibilities for two political departments, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. He presented his credentials to HM Queen Elizabeth II in July.

Munroe Bergdorf

Model and Activist

Munroe Bergdorf has worked as a model for major brands, and has used this platform to speak out against racism, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination. In 2017, she was named one of the 100 most influential people in the UK by the Evening Standard, and won Cosmopolitan Awards’ “Changemaker of the Year” in 2018. She has been recognized for bringing attention to issues faced by marginalised communities and for her efforts to promote social justice and equality.

Jake Paul

Actor, YouTuber, Boxer

Jake Paul is a successful social media personality, actor, and boxer. He first rose to fame on the video sharing app Vine, and has since amassed a large following on TikTok, Youtube, and more. After appearing on the Disney Channel show “Bizaardvark” with his brother Logan, he has gone on to act in numerous films; in addition to his work in entertainment, he now competes in professional boxing matches, and is expected to make his MMA debut in 2023.

Actor Hugh Bonneville DL

Hugh Bonneville is certainly best known for his generation-defining portrayal of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in Downton Abbey. This performance has earned him a plethora of accolades, including Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations. On the big screen, Hugh has also performed in Notting Hill, The Monuments Men and the Paddington films, in what has been a wonderfully diverse creative career.

Date & Time

Special Address for International Women’s Day

Tarana Burke

Tarana Burke is an American activist and leader in the movement for sexual violence survivor support and justice. She is the founder of the #MeToo movement, which became a global phenomenon and helped to outline issues of sexual harassment; she has also founded JustBe, a charity that supports young girls from minority backgrounds. Burke has dedicated her career to creating safe spaces for survivors of sexual assault and was among Time’s People of the Year in 2017.

Date & Time

TBC

Activist and Founder of #MeToo

Rt Hon. Sir Lindsey Hoyle MP

Sir Lindsey Hoyle is the incumbent Speaker of the House of Commons since 2019 and the Member of Parliament for Chorley, having first been elected in 1997. Previously both Deputy Speaker (2010-2019) and a member of the Labour Party, Sir Lindsey was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 2018 New Year Honours for parliamentary and political services, and the Chancellor of the University of Gibraltar in 2020. As Speaker, he has sought to increase transparency and improve the welfare of Commons staff.

Date & Time

Speaker of the House of Commons

Jaden Smith

Jaden Smith is a rapper, actor, and son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. His debut performance was in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness alongside his father. Since then he has starred in numerous films and pursued other interests, including being the first male model to wear women’s clothes for Louis Vuitton. He has performed alongside artists such as Justin Bieber, and has received a Grammy nomination. He has campaigned for free vegan meals for the homeless and launched the company JustWater.

Date & Time

Rapper, Actor and Activist

Simone Ashley

Bridgerton and Sex Education Actress

Simone Ashley is a British actress. In 2017, she appeared in the crime drama Broadchurch, and subsequently portrayed Olivia Hanan in the Netflix series Sex Education (2019-2021) and Kate Sharma, Viscountess Bridgerton in seasons 2 and 3 of the critically-acclaimed Bridgerton. Ashley has since featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List in European entertainment and Time’s 100 Next.

Date & Time

Find more information about our speakers and our Society online at: www.oxford-union.org

PHOTO CREDITS © THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

Socials

As well as the large array of speaker events and debates on offer, this Hilary the Union has one of the busiest and brightest social calendars in Oxford. From seasonal favourites, including Lunar New Year and Burns Night celebrations, to our Ice and Fire Ball, the Union is the premier location to meet and socialise with fellow Oxford students., For any queries, please contact the Secretary, at secretary@oxford-union.org. Union

PHOTO CREDITS © THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

Guest Policy

Members are allowed to bring up to three guests to an event, as long as:

1. The guest is not themselves eligible for membership of the Oxford Union.

2. The guest pays a £12.50 fee on the door.

3. All members who wish to attend the event have already taken their seats.

Events will be made exclusive to members when there is a security risk. Given (3) above, it is very unlikely that there will be space for guests at an extremely popular event.

PHOTO CREDIT © THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

Competitive Debating

Debating at the Union is not reserved for Thursday nights. The Union’s competitive debating squad is the largest in Europe and one of the most successful in the world; in the last few years our teams have won both the World and European Universities’ Debating Championships. Oxford Debating offers something for every level, from total novices to world champions.

For those who have never debated before, Beginners’ Workshops run on Monday evenings at the Union and are open to all Oxford and Brookes students, regardless of membership. These workshops consist of a presentation improving debating skills, followed by practice debates judged by some of the world’s most experienced debaters.

For those with more experience, Intermediate and Advanced squads run on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the Union, where coaches provide one-on-one development and strengthening programmes. These squads are often followed by well-attended socials.

We fully fund all teams to attend competitions nationally and internationally, online or in person; this means debating is one of the best

ways to recoup your membership fee. We host several competitions, most notably the Oxford IV, one of the largest debating competitions in Europe, and Oxford Schools’, the largest schools debating competition in the world. Involvement with these competitions looks great on your CV and is a low-commitment way to get involved in our organisational side. We run termly internal tournaments for those wanting to dip a toe into the world of competitive debating at a low level of commitment.

We recommend signing up to our mailing list for weekly updates, including information on weekly training and how to attend tournaments.

To do so, send a blank email to : debate-announce-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk, then follow the instructions on the automated reply to subscribe. You may also want to like the Oxford Debating Facebook page and join the Oxford Debaters Facebook group.

If you have any questions or want to sign up for workshops or Squads, please contact the Debate Selection Committee at ivselections@googlemail.com.

Committees

The affairs of the Society are managed by a number of committees, each of which meet in person throughout the term.

STANDING COMMITTEE

Chair - Charlie Mackintosh, The President president@oxford-union.org

The Society’s governing body. Standing Committee makes the Union’s most important decisions and recommends rules changes to the House.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair - Sharon Chau, Treasurer Treasurer@oxford-union.org

Finance Committee scrutinises the Union’s finances and reports its findings to Standing Committee.

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

Chair - Spencer Shia, CCC ccc@oxford-union.org

Consultative Committee is comprised of all members of the Society and gives you the opportunity to ask the officers of the Union questions and stay up-to-date on the running of the Union’s events.

ACCESS COMMITTEE

Chair - Carys Hoggan, Senior Access Officer Access.officer@oxford-union.org

Access Committee is responsible for promoting the inclusion of under-represented groups by planning events and suggesting changes.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

Chair - Disha Hegde, Librarian

Library Committee is responsible for the management of the Society’s library, purchasing books for the collection, and withdrawing old books, as well as making recommendations for the running of the library.

DEBATE SELECTION COMMITTEE

Chair - Heather Li, CDSC cdsc@oxford-union.org

Debate Selection Committee manages the Union’s competitive debating wing, arranging training and competitions.

BAR STRATEGY COMMITTEE

Chair - Tom Elliott, Secretary

Bar Strategy Committee oversees the management of the Members’ Bar and makes decisions regarding its stock, budgets, and furnishings.

These committees work for you, the members, so please do not hesitate to email the respective chairs for information on how to attend these meetings.

The Library

Stocked with over 60,000 books, the Union’s library facilities are extensive, spacious, and beautiful. Until 1897, the Old Library was the debating chamber of the Union. On its walls are some of the world’s most famous Pre-Raphaelite murals depicting scenes from Arthurian legend, painted by artists including Dante Gabriel Rosetti and William Morris. The adjoining Poetry Room is a hidden gem – a perfect space for silent, independent study.

The Goodman Library and Gladstone Room are open spaces available for use from any member during our open hours and provide a secluded study space in a historic atmosphere.

Termtime opening hours are Mon-Fri 09:3019:00, Sat 11:00-17:00.

Please email library@oxford-union.org with any questions.

THE LIBRARY

PHOTO CREDIT © OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

The Members’ Bar

Few, if any, places in Oxford combine the comfort and affordability of our Members’ Bar. Perfect for a quiet coffee, a light lunch, or a pint with some friends, it is a place where members and their guests can enjoy high quality food and drink at student prices, with a 25% members-only discount.

The Bar is decorated with memorabilia from past guests and it is often frequented by our speakers before or after a talk. Following each main debate after everyone has left the Chamber, the President will read out the result of the vote in the Bar.

Our House Manager, Paul, would be happy to hear from members with questions and suggestions. He can be reached at housemanager@oxford-union.org.

Alternatively, contact the Secretary about attending Bar Strategy Committee!

PHOTO CREDITS © THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

Accessibility

The Oxford Union is dedicated to ensuring that it is as accessible as possible for all of our members. If you ever have any questions regarding the accessibility of an event or the Union more generally, please reach out to our Senior Access Officer Carys Hoggan at access.officer@oxford-union.org. You can also raise thoughts and suggestions at Access Committee, which meets at 13:00 on Thursdays in Full Term.

Accessibility Pass Policy and Event Access

Any member who has accessibility requirements is entitled to request reasonable adjustments. Our Accessibility Pass Policy is available on the

Rules and Policies section of our website with a PDF version available on request.

For any specific accessibility queries regarding an event, please contact the House Manager at: bar@oxford-union.org and the CCC, Spencer Shia, at ccc@oxford-union.org. We can ensure that there is space for a wheelchair or provisions made for a guide dog or make any other reasonable adjustments necessary to enable members to make the most of their membership.

There is a hearing aid loop in the chamber and, should you wish to use it, switch your hearing aid to ‘T’.

How to get involved

Ask Questions

The Union remains resolute in its commitment to giving members the opportunity to engage with and challenge its speakers. At each of our talks, members will have the chance to ask questions live during the event. We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Run for Election

Each term, elections are held for Committee and Officer positions on Friday of 7th Week.Candidates who are successful in these elections assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates for the following term, undertaking a range of responsibilities.

Throughout the term, information will be released about how to run for election and how to vote. If you have any questions regarding the running of the Society’s election, please email the Returning Officer at ro@oxford-union.org for more comprehensive details.

Apply for Appointed Committee

A number of positions on Oxford Union Committees are appointed, including

Press, Sponsorship, and Equalities

Officers. All appointees also assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates over the vacation, typically completing ‘vacation days’ in Oxford. Applications for Trinity Term’s appointed positions will open in 5th Week, and will be advertised on the Oxford Union Facebook page and mailing list. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. Please contact the President-Elect, Matthew Dick, at president-elect@oxford-union.org if you have any questions or would like to get involved.

Join a Committee

All committee meetings are open to members to attend and observe. If you are interested in attending or becoming a member of any of these committees, simply email the relevant committee chair (detailed overleaf), to find out more.

President’s Open Hours

The President, Charlie Mackintosh, will be hosting weekly open hours where members can come and ask any questions they have. This will run on Fridays from 11am - 1pm, with tea and coffee provided.

The National Liberal Club

ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN LONDON

Many benefits of membership also extend beyond Oxford; in particular, members now have reciprocal membership of the National Liberal Club in London.

Please e-mail: enquiries@oxford-union.org for a letter of introduction before visiting.

PHOTO CREDIT OF LIBRARY © OXFORD UNION SOCIETY

OFFICERS

STANDING COMMITTEE

Returning Officer

Andrew Chen St John’s

CDSC

Heather Li St Anne’s College

Chief of Staff Abigail Bacon Brasenose

Chief Whip Chris Collins Corpus

Director of Press Joshua Platt St Hilda’s

Development Officer

Chloe Glynn St Anne’s

Director of Research

Darian Murray-Griffiths Christ Church

Director of Communications Ella Harte Hertford

Director of Media - Immanuel Smith Communities Officer - Hugo Roma Wilson Ethnic Minorities Officer - Arya Kumar LGBTQIA+ Officer - Adam Kluge Socioeconomic Officer - Conor Egan Women’s Officer - Ciara Rushton Disabilities Officer - James Forsdyke

International Officer - Yasmin Poole Graduate Officer - Zubin Deyal

Senior Access Officer Carys Hoggan St Hilda’s

Junior Access Officer Jake Dibden Trinity

Guest Liaison Officers - Maia Hamilton, Hari Bravery, Oliver Crawford, James Smith Press Officers - Joseph Finberg, Louis Wilson, Jenny Heath Sponsorship Officers - Adam Turner, Bronwen Price, Claudia Reynolds Media Officers - Alex Jackson, Sarp Ozdemir, Izzy Horrocks-Taylor, Christine Chung

Termcard Graphic Designer - Danielle Blyde - https://vavoom.co.uk

Front Cover Illustration - Izzy Mackintosh

STAFF:

The Bursar - Mark Herbert

Deputy Bursar - Richard Woods

Librarian-in-Charge - Tom Corrick

House Manager - Paul Greatrex Events Manager - Jo Morgan

Trustees - Dr Tim Myatt, Dr Sarah Beaver, Jeya Wilson, Hon. Peter Jay

Gordon Mackintosh First hound

Clemmie Read First Lady

President’s Thanks

‘Save the best for last’ – well, I am afraid I have not done that and instead have saved until last the grandiloquent, self-indulgent thanks that every (well, most) President affords to their friends, family, and committee. Until I sat down to write this, I do not think I had quite realised how big a part the Union has played in the last three years of my life and the number of people to whom I owe a startling amount. It is a testament to the Union that a student society can play such a huge part in the lives of so many and an A5 page in the back of a booklet will never pay ample tribute to the joy this society and its people have brought me. However, I hope it serves at least as a gesture of my gratitude and love. And so onto the ‘thank yous’:

First and foremost to Mummy, Daddy, and Izzy, and the rest of my beloved family. I am not sure any of you quite understand why I like the Union as much as I do and I am sure you are fed up of explaining to people that your son/ brother has dropped out of university to run a debating society, but I could not have wished for more support and love along the way.

To Clemmie for your support, tolerance, understanding, and loyalty. I think the whole thing bemuses you greatly but as long as it amuses you as well, I am happy. You keep me grounded and sane, and give better advice than you have any right to be able to give. Thank you. I love you.

To my friends outside the Union. To Ted, Will, Theo, and everyone else from home who has spent hours listening to me babble on about it, trying desperately to understand the sheer absurdity of it all. To Dmitriy, Maud, Lily, Darian, Jess, James, Dom, Felix, Liberty, and the countless others in Oxford who have shown an unwavering ability to be (or at least seem) interested in my strange hobby. And especially to Maia for your endless patience and support.

Within the Union, my committee deserves limitless thanks. The Christmas vacation is famously ‘nasty, brutish, and short’ but Mr Hobbes left off the most significant one: ‘cold’. I am sorry I made you sit in almost sub-zero temperatures in unheated rooms, but the fact that you all worked so hard anyway gives me great hope for the future of the Society. Thanks most of all must go to Abigail and Spencer for being endlessly reliable, wise, and

helpful, and my wonderful officers Disha, Sharon, and Tom, as well as Josh, Ella, Darian, and Chris; thank you all for making what should have been an incredibly stressful five weeks intensely enjoyable. The only group perhaps deserving of more thanks are the staff and trustees: Mark, Richard, Laura, Tom, Tim, Sarah, Victoria and everyone else who works tirelessly to pick up the slack left by us students. We do not deserve you! Finally to Chloe for saving Michaelmas Term and my Acting Presidency; you are the maddest of us all.

Looking back across my journey through the Union, thank you to all those who have put trust in me and run with me in various (far too many) elections. To Viren, Will, Eu Ro, Ambika, Naman, and Anjali. Most of all to #NEW, especially Disha, Sharon, and Matthew; I love you all and could not have wished for a better group of people to risk my degree with.

To those who have been an intrinsic part of my journey through the Union: from my friends and mentors Amber, Arjun, Alex, and Amy; to Dan, Jamie, Eden, Keelan, Andrew, Josh, Abi, and the rest of RO World. To my great predecessors in whose footsteps I tentatively tread, the Ex-Presidents Laura, Stephen, James, Adam, Chengkai, Michael-A , and particularly Molly and Michael L; I am ever-grateful for your advice, friendship, and all I have learnt from each of you.

To Matthew: I could not have wished for a better successor. Run a fantastic term and invite me back to lots of dinners (and then come to Central Asia with me!). To Rosie and Hannah. The future is bright.

With endless gratitude and love, my utmost thanks to the Founder, Warden, Fellows, Scholars, and Members of New College, Oxford. A man could not wish for a better place to call his home.

And finally, to The Oxford Union. I hope that for centuries to come it can continue to bring students the joy it has brought me.

With that, and with intense pride and gratitude, I remain

Mr Charlie Mackintosh The President Collegium Beatae Mariae Wynton in Oxon.

1963-2023

Celebrating 60 years of full membership for women

George Orwell, Animal Farm

‘If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.’