“Even against the backdrop of an ancient and respected University, the Cambridge Union stands out as a distinguished forum for the free and rigorous exchange of ideas. For over two hundred years, undergraduates have come through its doors to consider questions old and new, to test their opinions and hone their skills of debate, and to speak as equals with their opponents - be they students or statesmen. The lessons it provides - in self-confidence; in clear-thinking; in challenging others’ beliefs while always respecting them - are valuable ones indeed.
— H.M. King Charles III
The Cambridge Union 9A Bridge Street
Cambridge CB2 1UB
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5.30PM T: (+44) (0) 1223 566 421 www.cus.org / info@cus.org
Welcome
from The Cambridge Union Society President
Welcome to the Cambridge Union. After hundreds of office hours, Google Meets and Mainsbury’s meal deals, I am delighted to announce the Term Card for Michaelmas 2024. It has been a culmination of lots of work and I am extremely grateful to my standing committee for their dedication to creating such an engaging set of events.
Attending my first Speakers event as a schoolboy in 2020, I heard Michelle Bachelet speak on her experiences as head of the UN Commission for Human Rights and persecution by the government of Pinochet. It was then that I realised the invaluable platform of our chamber, giving the opportunity for students to engage with a host of voices. It is thus ever-important that our society continues to thrive, providing a platform for all people’s voices and perspectives to be heard.
I got involved on Speakers Subcommittee in my first team back in Michaelmas 2022 and have not looked back since. I would encourage each and everyone of you to get involved as much as possible, whether that be by joining a committee, making a floor speech, or even joining our exciting new college rep team.
I am delighted to be hosting the first No Confidence debate in over 14 years in which His Majesty’s government is not a Conservative one which will certainly be an exciting way for the new cohort of freshers to interact with the Union for the first time. Our second debate is on mandatory vaccination, and we have a diverse range of voices debating the ethical issues to be considered. Both of these debates fall in our open period so everyone can come along and see what it is we do here at the Union!
We have a host of other exciting debates to attend, examining important topics like the decline of America, the privatisation of the NHS and whether Britain is more divided than ever. We also are continuing our floor speech prizes, with exciting gifts for the best student speaker of the evening including free dinners at the Union’s very own brasserie The Orator, vouchers for Gardies and even a college puffer from Ryder Amies.
Whilst the Union is known for its flagship Thursday night debates, we also have a range of exciting speaker events and panel discussions this term too. Hearing from the director of the BBC Tim Davies, CEO of Citadel Ken Griffin, Nobel Prize Recipient Dame Jocelyn Bell or award-winning music artist Little Simz there is a speaker for everyone to listen to. It is an amazing opportunity to come down to the Union and actually hear from a range of different people, and perhaps even ask your idol a question. On top of that, we have engaging panel discussions planned exploring Education inequality in the UK as well as Black Voices in the Arts.
But alas, we also need time to relax and let our hair down, which is why we have a fantastic array of social events this term. We begin with the Fresher’s Ball, with free tickets available to those who purchase membership early! We then have an event with Black Girl Space and Brown Girl Link Up promising a fun filled night of karaoke. This is followed by another exciting collaboration, with a Día de Muertos event with Mexican Society featuring great food and drinks as well as a Mariachi band. We have extended the license to provide everyone with drinks around the clock for the US election watch party which I’m sure will lead to heated debate and discussion. We, last but not least, have the Union’s Winter Ball, which promises to be Cambridge’s most magnificent event this Michaelmas. Keep your eyes peeled for ticket releases throughout term!
To those old and new, I am delighted to open our doors to you this Michaelmas. The Union is a space for all, with an event for all! I can’t wait to see all of you at our amazing events this term, and hope you enjoy attending them as much as we’ve enjoyed preparing them! If you ever have any questions, concerns or worries I am always available so feel free to reach out. I am often found in the Union building and most definitely in The Orator after our Thursday night debates where I invite you to have a drink and continue discussing the motion at hand until late.
My very best wishes,
Alessio D’Angelo | Jesus President, Michaelmas 2024
pg. 2
Welcome
pg. 5
History
pg. 6
Getting Involved
pg. 8
Accessibility
pg. 10
Facilities
pg. 12
Competitive Debating
pg. 14
Treasurer’s Treats
pg. 15
Reciprocal Membership
pg. 22 Debates
pg. 50 Speakers
pg. 60 Equalities
pg. 70
Social Events
pg. 80 Committees
pg. 82
President’s Thanks
pg. 84 Sponsors
History
It was in a packed chamber on Bridge Street where James Baldwin stood in 1965 to discuss the changing fortunes of African Americans during the civil rights movement. His speech, now remembered as one of the most powerful on the subject, immortalised the Baldwin v. Buckley debate as a milestone in Cambridge history. The chamber continues to be that strong iconographic symbol of an institution still eagerly flocked to by many Cambridge students keen to engage in free speech. From our unlikely beginnings to the present, challenging and inspiring conversations have been what we do best.
Older than fourteen colleges and the Boat Race, the Cambridge Union has been a cornerstone of university life since its founding in 1815. From the outset, the Union has championed defiance, boldness, and intellectual fearlessness—values that continue to define its character. The society’s creation was driven by a group of students, led by Edward Gambier, determined to foster debate and discussion in an era of rapid European transformation. Although university authorities attempted to dissolve the Union in 1817, this effort was short-lived. The society not only survived but thrived, soon becoming one of the largest and most active student organisations in Cambridge.
The Union’s early years were marked by a notable struggle for stability. While never officially banned, the society operated without a permanent home and with little support from the university. In 1840, members raised funds to purchase a small pub, The George, behind the Round Church on Bridge Street, which served as the Union’s first venue. Despite this being the Union’s first official home, it proved inadequate for the growing number of attendees. Another fundraising campaign ensued, with the goal of securing a permanent space for the society.
In 1862, the Union’s ambitions materialised when members raised £18,000, allowing for the construction of a purpose-built clubhouse. Designed by the renowned architect Alfred Waterhouse—who later designed the Natural History Museum in London—the Victorian clubhouse opened in 1866 and quickly became a hub of intellectual life in Cambridge, cementing the Union’s growing influence.
The Union has not been immune to the trials of history. During World War II, the building was requisitioned for use by the RAF, with the historic library and artefacts suffering damage from aerial bombardment. Yet the Union persevered, with these remnants now standing as poignant reminders of its role in a critical period of British history.
In the post-war era, the society reinvented itself. By the 1950s and 1960s, the Union had regained its dynamism, fueled by a new generation of debaters. Figures from the so-called “Cambridge Mafia,” such as Leon Brittan, Norman Fowler, Ken Clarke, John Gummer, and Norman Lamont, frequented its chambers, while the Footlights comedy troupe—including Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and members of Monty Python—added to the lively social scene. The Union once again became a breeding ground for orators and entertainers alike. True to its commitment to free speech, the Union has continued to attract prominent speakers. Royalty, including King George VI and King Charles III (who delivered his maiden speech on the Union floor in Easter Term of 1970), graced its chambers, as did a litany of future political leaders, from Sir James Peiris and Vince Cable to Michael Howard.
The Union also has stood as a symbol of societal progress within Cambridge. Women had been regular attendees of Union debates since 1866 earlier before the first women’s college Girton had been founded. In 1965, women were formally admitted as members of the debating society and since then have continued to make an indelible mark on the Union’s history bringing much-needed discussion to the floor of the chamber from debating the merits of feminism in the Global South to barriers for women in accessing careers in public life. In 1967 Ann Mallalieu became the Union’s first female president, a watershed moment that paved the way for other women, including notable figures like Arianna Huffington and Clare Balding, to take the chair.
In 2015, the Union celebrated its bicentenary with a major renovation of its historic building, reaffirming its position as a global centre for debate. The addition of The Orator, a purpose-built restaurant and bar, further strengthened its role as a social and intellectual landmark. Today, with over 40 reciprocal memberships worldwide, the Union continues to engage with the global community, hosting speakers as varied as Julian Assange, Bill Gates, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Theresa May and Robert De Niro.
In staying true to its founding principles, the Cambridge Union remains a vibrant arena for the free exchange of ideas—an enduring symbol of student-led intellectual inquiry and debate.
Leonas Pausch | Homerton Vice President, 2024-2025
Ivan Alexei Ampiah | Downing Speakers Officer, Lent 2025
Get Involved
The Cambridge Union is all about you — our membership. Whether you’re sitting in the crowd or taking the floor for a speech, none of our activities would be possible without you. But most importantly, our events — large and small alike — are student-planned, student-run, and student-centred. And yes, that means you get a say too! The Union can feel like a daunting environment, and that’s why we’re here to demystify the mysterious. You can check out our social media or Issuu page for the How to Get Involved Guide for Michaelmas 2024, and read below for a brief overview!
Debates
Ever watched a Union debate and imagined yourself speaking up at the dispatch box? Here’s your chance! Applications to speak in our emergency and main debates open in the week leading up to each debate, and can be found in our Facebook members’ group, on our Instagram stories, and in the weekly members’ email. We encourage any Union member to apply!
19:30 - Emergency Debates
Consisting entirely of student speakers, each emergency debate addresses a topical issue of the week or an issue relevant to the main debate mosion. They serve as a warm-up for the main debate, allow students to get more comfortable at the dispatch box — but best of all, our emergency debate speakers are rewarded with a free drink and a chariable point!
20:00
- Main Debates
In the main debate, members can engage with speeches in real time by submitting a Point of Information (POI). You can correct a point, ask for clarity, challenge a speaker or propose a question by standing and saying ‘Point of Information’ or ‘On that point’ afer the first and before the last minute of a given speech. The speaker may choose to reject your POI - but if they do accept, deliver your brief statement in disagreement. After that, it’s the speaker’s responsibility to respond.
If you want to make a longer argument of your own, raise your hand during either of the rounds of floor speeches during each debate. You can speak in proposition, opposition, or abstention to respond to the debate as it happens! This term, we’ll also be offering some exciting prizes for the best floor speechs in each debate - so make sure to turn out!
Get Involved
Speakers and Panels
At each of our individual speaker or panel events, we allow our members to put questions to our guests. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to interact with our guests.
Throughout term, our members can also ballot to meet individual speakers at the preevent drinks receptions! Keep your eyes on our social media pages, Facebook members’ page, and weekly members’ email for details on speaker ballots throughout Michaelmas.
Join a Committee
You can also get involved by joining our committees and we have lots of them! We recruit for Full Committee, Speakers’ Subcommittee, Debates Subcommittee, Equalities Subcommittee, Social Events Subcommittee, and Ball Committees.
Look out on our social media and emails to be notified when applications open each term - applications for subcommittees this term (for positions served in Lent) will open on 5th October. Do apply - you won’t regret it!
Run for Election
Elections for Standing Committee happen at the end of each term. In order to run to be an Officer, you must have served a term on Full Committee and collected 4 charitable points. To run for President, you must have previously served a term as an Officer. If you have any questions about the election process, please email vicepresident@cus.org!
Throughout Michaelmas, we’ll be running events to help you get involved with the Union on a deeper level — including tours of the Union on the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th of October - the 11th being a tour for BME students and the 12th for ARU students. We’ll be running in-person workshops on getting involved throughout term, which you can find out about on pg 69 of the termcard. And for those of you who haven’t yet bought membership, our open period is active until 17th October! Come get a taster of our events, and buy yourself a membership at discounted rates. We can’t wait to welcome you to the building!
Christopher Lorde | Christ’s Equalities Officer, Lent 2025
Accessibility
We are firmly committed to ensuring that all members feel the Union is a space that is accessible to them. This short Q&A guide aims to answer some frequently asked accessibility questions. If members have any other accessibility concerns or questions they are warmly encouraged to email access@cus.org.
If you have any ideas, questions or concerns regarding access at the Union, please feel free to contact us at access@cus.org. We would love to hear how members feel the Union can become an even better space, and one that they are able to express agency within.
Q. Which rooms are wheelchair accessible?
A. All the rooms are wheelchair accessible, except the chamber balcony. The building itself is wheelchair accessible through the Orator and reception entrances.
Q. Which rooms are hearing-loop enabled?
A. The Chamber is currently the only room that is hearing loop enabled.
Q. Can I bring non-member dependents, carers or guide dogs to events?
A. In most cases this should be no issue at all. Please email vicepresident@cus.org beforehand to confirm arrangements.
Q. Where should wheelchair users sit in the Chamber?
A. Space can be made either side of the back benches.
Q. Which doors are wide enough to allow wheelchairs through?
A. The reception, chamber entrance, library and Fairfax Rhodes Room doors are all wide enough.
Q. Which rooms have padded seating available?
A. All the seating in the building is padded.
Q. How should wheelchairs exit in the case of a fire?
A. Depending on the source of the fire, members can exit through the Chamber doors and by leaving out of Reception. They can also be lifted over the stairs of the chamber fire doors (it is only a few steps either side). Event Managers are on duty to help with this.
Q. How should attendees with impaired mobility, or any other difficulty with queuing access busy or oversubscribed events?
A. Please email before the event vicepresident@cus.org to confirm your accessibility need. It is possible to sit and ‘queue’ on the sofas in the reception area upon arrangement. If you arrive before the amount of people queueing is more than a full chamber, you will get one of our accessibility-reserved seats (the back benches). If you come after the amount of people queueing is greater than the amount of seats in the chamber, we are unable to guarantee you a seat as that would put you ahead of those who have queued for prolonged amounts of time and are turned away. We hope members understand this logic.
Financial Access
We offer a range of discounted memberships, depending on financial need. Our lowest band of access memberships begin at £90 for those on the full Cambridge bursary.
Whether you are new to the society or a long-standing member, we are here to support you in any way we can to make sure you get most of your membership. If you have any concerns or questions, then please contact our access team: access@cus.org.
We also offer different scholarships entitling you to a lifetime membership of the Cambridge Union, free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors. Applicants will be chosen primarily according to financial need, along with their ability to demonstrate an interest in the Union. Keep your eyes on our social media channels for when we release the application form.
Welfare
Your Welfare Officers
Lucy Hufton
Ali Eren Talan
We will be running regular welfare hours, which will be communicated via our social channels and emails.
The Orator provides anti-drink spiking covers upon request, and if you ever feel like you’re in an unsafe situation, you can ask for Angela at our bar. Our team of bar staff will know you need help and assist you as necessary. You can also submit compaints, requests, feedback or concerns via the Members’ form, which will be sent out via email also. You can also reach us at welfare@cus.org.
Facilities Debating Chamber
Members’ Room
The FairfaxRhodes Reading Room
Dining Room
The Orator
The Keynes Library
Competitive Debating Take part in
The Cambridge Union offers one of the most successful and inclusive debating programs in the world. We have maintained a strong record of success, with a history of teams advancing deep into the World and European University Debating Championships. No prior experience is required to join—everyone can start improving their public speaking skills. All Union members are welcome to participate in our events. Why not give it a try?
Why should I get involved?
Debating with the Cambridge Union equips you with a valuable set of skills that extend beyond traditional British Parliamentary debate. These skills are highly transferable and beneficial in various contexts, both academic and professional. We offer a wide range of programs to suit all interests, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Debating Sessions & Workshops
We hold weekly sparring sessions every Tuesday from 6:00–8:00 pm. These sessions are designed for both beginners and experienced debaters to improve their skills under the guidance of leading debaters from the Cambridge Union. Whether you aspire to compete for Cambridge or simply wish to develop your public speaking abilities, our training will help you become a formidable debater.
In addition, we also offer alternate Thursday training sessions with our coach, Ayal Mor, a recent grand finalist at the European University Debating Championships. Ayal will be conducting specialised workshops and organising online sparring sessions with worldrenowned debaters, providing you with top-tier training opportunities.
Competitions
Universities across the United Kingdom host debating competitions nearly every week, and we actively encourage all our members to participate. We don’t just send our top speakers— members of all abilities are selected, ensuring everyone has a chance to compete. These competitions offer a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow students and explore different parts of the country. The Union covers all registration fees; you only need to come ready to debate!
We also offer international competition opportunities beyond the UK. Last year, we sent 11 Debaters to Vietnam to compete at the World University Debate Championships. Additionally, we sent debaters to Amsterdam for the Leiden Open, where one of our teams emerged as Champion.
This year, we plan to send teams to compete at the upcoming World and European Debating Championships, which will be held in Panama and Copenhagen respectively.
Access & Community Involvement
The Cambridge Union Society also hosts Cambridge Schools and the International Competition for Young Debaters (ICYD), two of the largest schools debating competitions globally. As a Cambridge debater, you can participate as a judge or convenor for Cambridge Schools, offering students from diverse backgrounds the chance to engage with university-level debating and learn more about Cambridge. Our Finals Days bring schools from all over the world together to crown the Cambridge Schools and ICYD champions. Serving as a judge and mentor is one of the most rewarding ways to give back to the community.
Leadership Roles
Looking to take on positions of responsibility? Competitive Debating offers a variety of subcommittee positions where you can make a real impact. These roles provide hands-on opportunities to develop key organisational and administrative skills. Our Convenors, for example, are responsible for running highprofile varsity and sixth-form level competitions, honing their communication and project management abilities as they liaise with schools, competitors, and international partners.
For those with a passion for event planning, our Socials Officer plays a vital role in organizing social events and fostering a sense of community among debaters.
Additionally, roles such as Head of Training allow you to take charge of developing and delivering workshops, helping fellow debaters improve their skills while refining your leadership and teaching abilities.
Importantly, these positions are not assigned based on debating ability, nor do they require prior experience. All we ask for is a genuine interest and commitment to making a positive impact.
By taking on one of these roles, you can not only contribute to the success of the Union’s debating program but also gain leadership experience that will stand out on any CV.
How do I get involved?
Join us for our Debating Launch Event on Monday, 14th October at 6:00 pm, where we’ll be happy to answer your questions and guide you through the sign-up process. Alternatively, feel free to attend our regular sessions every week— usually on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. All Union members are welcome!
If you’re unable to attend in person, please don’t hesitate to email us at debating@cus.org. We also encourage you to join our Cambridge Debating Facebook group for regular updates.
Joshua Low |Magdalene
James Cater | Gonville & Caius
Competitive Debating Officers, 2024-2025
Treasurer’s Treats
Our Treasurer’s Treats make sure you get the most out of your membership. We hope to continually grow this list over term — so keep your eye out for our weekly members emails and posts on our social media channels! If you have any questions, please get in touch at treasurer@cus.org.
Michaelhouse Cafe
10% off your order when you present your Union membership card.
Ryder & Amies
15% off your order using an exclusive discount code that will be sent via email. Valid dates: 4-8 October, 20-24 November.
Gardenia’s
10% off your order with cash when you present your Union membership card.
University Arms Hotel
20% off all bookings.Info on cus.org mem
SIX Brassiere
15% off during term-time up to 10 people. (Does not apply to set menus)
The Pint Shop
20% off all purchases from Monday to Thursday.
The Lab
25% off, excluding the student menu.
Reciprocal Membership
Your membership of the Cambridge Union entitles you to reciprocal memberships with some of the world’s finest members’ clubs and free speech societies. Below is a list of reciprocal membership clubs that you can access courtesy of your membership. For information on how to use your reciprocal membership, including on how to obtain the mandatory Letter of Introduction, contact vicepresident@cus.org.
London
The Century Club
The Lansdowne Club
The National Liberal Club
UK (Outside London) & Ireland
The Bury St Edmunds & Farmers Club, Bury Saint Edmunds
The Cardiff and County Club, Cardiff
The Clifton Club, Bristol
The Dublin Philosophical Society, Dublin*
The Durham Union Society, Durham*
The Hove Club, Brighton
The Ipswich & Suffolk Club, Ipswich
The Norfolk Club, Norwich
The Northampton & County Club, Northampton
The Oxford Union Society, Oxford*
The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh
The Trinity College Historical Society, Dublin*
The St. Andrews Debating Society, St Andrews*
Europe (Outside UK)
The Business Club Hamburg, Hamburg
The Buyuk Kulup Cercle D’Orient, Istanbul
The Circolo Bononia, Bologna
The Grémio Literário, Lisboa
The Residence Exclusive Club, Sofia
The Union International Club, Frankfurt
United States & Canada
The Athenaeum, Pasadena
The Cypress Club, Medicine Hat
The Forest & Stream Club, Montreal
The Halifax Club, Halifax, Canada
The Montauk Club, New York City
The National Club, Toronto
The National Democratic Club, Washington D.C.
The Saskatoon Club, Saskatoon
The Vancouver Club, Vancouver
The Yale Political Union, New Haven*
Rest of World
The Abbottabad Club, Abbottabad
The Bowring Institute, Bengaluru
The Capital Club Dubai, Dubai
The Foreign Correspondents Club, Hong Kong
The King Hussein Club, Amman
The Rand Club, Johannesburg
The Uruguay Club, Montevideo
The Yokohama Coutry and Athletic Club, Yokohama
Clubs indicated by an asterisk (*) are debating and free speech societies.
T H E
F R E S H E R S M A S Q U E R A D E B A L L
CUSBWINTER AL L
December 2 N D
8pm-2am
vintage & pre-love.d clothing , vinyl records, crafts, mulled wine, street food and live music
the orator, round church st cambridge
the orator, round church st cambridge
7th december 11am-5pm
Debates A Message
from the Debates Officer
Debate, free speech, and the spirited exchange of ideas have been at the heart of the Union since it was founded. Debates are there to challenge and broaden your perspectives and to discuss the pressing issues of the day, bringing together prominent speakers and students alike. I hope this debate line-up is energetic and exciting, sometimes contentious, and always thought-provoking.
This Michaelmas, we truly have something for everyone. From our annual No Confidence debate to mandatory vaccinations, from questioning the compatibility of feminism and religion to the decline of America, these debates tackle varied and diverse topics. Come along on Thursdays to see and debate alongside leading figures from politics, academia, healthcare and a range of other fields, such as Andrea Leadsom, John Mearsheimer, Ambassador Karen Pierce DCMG, and Pat Cullen.
I’d like to thank my debates sub-committee for their hard work on the termcard, which is a testament to the time and effort they put in, and the rest of Standing Committee for all their support. It has been a real privilege to work alongside all of them.
I encourage you all to take part in these debates and to engage in these conversations, from giving floor speeches to auditioning as student speakers. Whether it’s your first time at the Union or you’re a seasoned attendee, I am so excited to hear all your thoughts and contributions.
I look forward to seeing you in the Union Chamber this term, ready to challenge and be challenged!
Yours,
Anoushka Kale | Sidney Sussex Debates Officer, Michaelmas 2024
Debates
TH Has No Confidence in His Majesty’s Government
THW Make Vaccinations Mandatory
THB British Democracy Has Failed
TH Welcomes the Decline of America
THW Prosecute Those Who Led The Iraq War
THB Feminism Is Incompatible With Religion
THB Britain is More Divided Than Ever
THW Disband the UN Security Council
THW Privatise the NHS
THB The West Is Hypocritical Towards China
THB Ignorance is Bliss
THB In The Wisdom of the Past
The First Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Has Thursday 10th October • 8pm
No Confidence In His Majesty’s Government
The No Confidence debate is an annual tradition at the Cambridge Union. For the first time in the last fourteen years, we will be debating whether a Labour government holds up to scrutiny. This debate brings together prominent politicians to decide whether we have confidence in Starmer’s new government.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
The Rt. Hon. Dame Andrea Leadsom
Richard Tice MP
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Kanishka Naryan MP
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
Kevin Bonavia MP
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
The Rt. Hon. Dame Andrea Leadsom
Dame Andrea Leadsom served as the Member of Parliament for South Northamptonshire from 2010 to 2024. She has previously held several ministerial and cabinet positions, including as Environment Secretary, Leader of the House of Commons, and Business Secretary. She has twice stood to be Leader of the Conservative Party.
Richard Tice MP
Richard Tice MP has been the Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness since 2024 and the Deputy Leader of Reform UK, having previously served as chairman and leader of the party. He is the party’s energy and foreign-policy spokesperson. He founded the pro-Brexit campaign group Leave Means Leave and helped Nigel Farage to establish the Brexit Party in 2019.
The Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay was Minister for Arts and Heritage until July 2024. He was previously a Government Whip, special adviser at the Home Office, and Political Secretary to Theresa May. He was President of the Cambridge Union in Lent Term 2004 and is now one of its trustees.
Kanishka Narayan MP
Kanishka is the Labour MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs. He was elected as an MP in 2024, as the first ethnic minority MP in Wales. In government, Kanishka advised ministers on domestic public policy, as Senior Adviser at the Cabinet Office and as Expert Adviser to Britain’s Environment Secretary. He also advised the Labour Party frontbench as Head of Tech Policy.
Kevin Bonavia MP
Kevin Bonavia is the Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage, elected in 2024. He is the Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees. Kevin previously served as a local councillor in the London Borough of Lewisham, and a cabinet member there, from 2010-22.
The Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
Baroness Dianne Hayter has been in the House of Lords since 2010, and has previously held the positions of Shadow Deputy Leader, Shadow Brexit Minister, and Shadow Consumer Minister there. She was the General Secretary of the Fabian Society from 1976 to 1982 and formerly chaired Labour’s National Executive Council. She is currently Chair of the Property Institute.
The Second Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Would Thursday 17th October • 8pm
Make Vaccinations Mandatory
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine scepticism, misinformation, and concerns about bodily autonomy remain widespread. Amid recent surges of measles in the UK and lower childhood vaccination coverage for some vaccines, this debate will examine whether mandatory vaccination could be the solution.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Professor Jonathan Heeney
Professor Octávio Ferraz
Professor Helen Bedford Earl Jesse
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Professor Jonathan Heeney
Jonathan Heeney is a Canadian Infectious Disease scholar and both the Professor of Comparative Pathology and Head of the Laboratory of Viral Zoonotics at the University of Cambridge. He has spun a small Biotech company out of the University in 2017 to make a new generation of safe and more effective vaccines to prevent future pandemics. Jonathan is a fellow of Darwin College and was formerly co-vice-master of the college.
Professor Octávio Ferraz
Professor Octávio Ferraz is a Professor of Law at King’s College London and CoDirector of the Transnational Law Institute. Before joining King’s, he was a senior research officer to the UN special rapporteur for the right to health. He previously practised corporate and medical law in Brazil for over ten years.
Student Speaker
This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 6, or on our social media profiles.
Professor Helen Bedford
Professor Helen Bedford is a Professor of Children’s Health at University College London, coming from a background in nursing and health visiting. Her research is focused on childhood vaccination and she acts as a vaccine communication for TV, radio, and other media. She is an expert spokesperson for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Earl Jesse
Earl Jesse is the Deputy Leader of the Freedom Alliance Political Party, which developed in 2020 in opposition to the government’s Covid-19 response. He has campaigned extensively against lockdown restrictions and vaccine mandates, and works as a self-defence instructor. He stood as a parliamentary candidate in the 2024 general election for Newbury.
Student Speaker
This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 6, or on our social media profiles.
The Third Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Believes Thursday 24th October • 8pm
British Democracy Has Failed
In the wake of the 2024 general election, with Labour gaining 412 of 650 seats with 33.7% of the vote, calls for reforming Britain’s first-past-the-post system have continued to increase. As concerns about disenfranchised voters and communities and voter ID are hotly debated, this debate seeks to examine the nature and success of British democracy.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Emma Harrison Matt Kennard
Andrew Bowie MP Akiko Hart
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Emma Harrison
Emma Harrison is the Chief Executive of Make Votes Matter, a leading cross-party grassroots campaign for proportional representation in the House of Commons. She was the founding Chief Executive of IMIX, a communications agency working to change public attitudes to migration.
Matt Kennard
Matt Kennard is co-founder and head of investigations at Declassified UK, a news outlet investigating British foreign policy. He was a fellow and then director at the Centre for Investigative Journalism in London and has worked as a staff writer for the Financial Times internationally.
Student Speaker
This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 6, or on our social media profiles.
Andrew Bowie MP
Andrew Bowie has served as the Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine since 2017, sitting in the Shadow Cabinet representing veterans, as well as being a Shadow Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero. He has previously worked as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister and Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party.
Akiko Hart
Akiko Hart is the Director of Liberty, which works to protect civil liberties and freedom and campaign against unjust laws. She was previously CEO of The National Survivor User Network and Director of Mental Health Europe, and is a Professor in Practice at the Institute of Medical Humanities at the University of Durham.
Student Speaker
This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 6, or on our social media profiles.
The Fourth Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Welcomes Thursday 31st October • 8pm
The Decline of America
In the run-up to the hotly contested US presidential elections, America is at the forefront of international discourse and questions about America’s position globally and intervention abroad become more potent. This debate will examine America’s role as a superpower, alongside other rising global powers, and question whether we should welcome America’s decline.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Professor Mary Kaldor
Dr Steven Thrasher
Professor John J. Mearsheimer
Lord Howard of Lympne
Shashank Joshi
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Professor Mary Kaldor
Mary Kaldor is Professor Emeritus of Global Governance and Director of the Conflict and Civicness Research Group at the London School of Economics. She has pioneered the concepts of new wars and global civil society. She was a founding member of European Nuclear Disarmament and of the Helsinki;s Citizens Assembly. She is the author of many books and articles including International Law and New Wars (witb Christine Chinkin, 2017) and Global Security Cultures (2018).
Dr Steven Thrasher
Dr Steven Thrasher, PhD., holds the inaugural Daniel Renberg Cbair for social justice in reporting at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and is a faculty member of the Institute of Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing. He has worked as a columnist for The Guardian and staff writer at The Village Voice and published his debut book The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide in 2022.
Student Speaker
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Professor John J. Mearsheimer
John J. Mearsheimer is the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, where he has taught since 1982. He has written extensively about security issues and international politics and published seven books, including The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001, 2014) and NYT bestseller The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy (with Stephen Walt, 2007). In 2020, he received the American Political Science Association’s James Madison Award, awarded every three years for distinguished scholarship.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Howard of Lympne
Michael Howard was the Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2003 to 2005. He previously held cabinet posiions in the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, including Home Secretary. He was the Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe from 1983-2010, when he was appointed a life peer. He was President of the Cambridge Union in Easter 1962.
Shashank Joshi
Shashank Joshi is Defence Editor at The Economist and a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. Prior to joining The Economist in 2018 he served as Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), where he now serves on the Advisory Board, and Research Associate at Oxford University’s Changing Character of War Programme.
The Fifth Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Would Thursday 7th November • 8pm
Prosecute Those Who Led The Iraq War
This debate takes place over 20 years since the beginning of the strongly criticised Iraq War, which led to years of conflict and the overthrow of Suddam Hussein’s government. We aim to scrutinise the key figures who were responsible for leading the war and question whether they should be held criminally responsible.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Peter Oborne
Dr Victoria Stewart-Jolley
Andrew Murray
Dr James Strong
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Peter Oborne
Peter Oborne is a columnist for Declassified UK and the Middle East Eye, having previously been the chief political commentator of The Daily Telegraph. He has written several books, including his biographies of Alastair Campbell and Basil D’Oliviera, Not the Chilcot Report (2016) and The Fate of Abraham: Why The West is Wrong About Islam (2022).
Dr Victoria Stewart-Jolley
Dr Victoria Stewart-Jolley worked as a legal advisor on electoral processes for the United Nations for over 15 years, holding positions in several countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Libya. Having spent 4 years in post invasion Iraq, her PhD focused on the democratisation processes undertaken in Afghanistan and Iraq from both legal and international relations perspectives. She is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic academy in the UAE and a Bye-Fellow at Downing College.
Andrew Murray
Andrew Murray is the Vice President and founding member of the Stop the War Coalition and was chair from 2001-11, marching against the Iraq War in 2003. He has previously worked as chief of staff at Unite the Union and advisor to Jeremy Corbyn. He has written several books, including The Fall and Rise of the British Left and Stop The War - and its critics.
Dr James Strong
Dr James Strong is Reader in British Politics and Foreign Policy at Queen Mary University of London. He is the author of Public Opinion, Legitimacy and Tony Blair’s War in Iraq (Routledge, 2017), the first academic study of the Iraq War to respond to the findings of the Chilcot Report. He is currently working on a book about the role of the House of Commons in wartime.
Student Speaker
This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 6, or on our social media profiles.
Student Speaker
This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 6, or on our social media profiles.
The Sixth Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Believes Thursday 14th November • 8pm
Feminism Is Incompatible With Religion
Is religion inherently oppressive towards women or can it co-exist with feminism? As growing numbers globally identify as non-religious and the role of religion continues to be questioned in public life, particularly concerning abortion laws, this debate explores whether it can be compatible with feminism.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Maryam Namazie
Dr Phyllis Zagano
Annie Laurie Gaylor
The Rt Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin
Rabbi Charley Baginsky
Peter Hitchens
Lindsay Hansen Park
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Maryam Namazie
Maryam Namazie is a British-Iranian campaigner and writer and is currently the Spokesperson of One Law for All and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. She has actively campaigned for secularism, the right to blasphemy, and for women’s rights in Islamic regimes. She has previously worked with Iranian refugees internationally.
Dr. Phyllis Zagano
Phyllis Zagano is Senior Research Associate-in-Residence and Adjunct Professor of Religion at Hofstra University. She has written several books in religious studies, particularly about women in the Catholic Church. She previously won the Catholic Press Association and College Theology Society Annual Book Awards. She was previously appointed to the Papal Commission for the Study of Women in the Diaconate.
Annie Laurie Gaylor
Annie Laurie Gaylor is an American atheist and women’s rights activist. She is the cofounder and current co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, working with the foundation from 1985. She has written several books, including Woe to the Women: The Bible Tells Me So and Women Without Superstition: ‘No Gods, No Masters’. She previously founded and edited the Feminist Connection, a monthly advocacy newspaper.
Student Speaker
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The Rt Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin
The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the Bishop of Dover and has oversight for the Canterbury Diocese. She has previously served as a Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II and was the first woman appointed to the position of the 79th Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons in 2010. She has previously served as a member of the General Synod of the Church of England.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky
Rabbi Charley Baginsky is the current CEO of Liberal Judaism (UK). She is the coLead for Progressive Judaism UK alongside Rabbi Josh Levy. Before joining Liberal Judaism, she was the Rabbi for Kingston Liberal Synagogue for over ten years and has spent time-part time as Rabbi for South Bucks Jewish Community.
Peter Hitchens
Peter Hitchens is a columnist for the Mail on Sunday and occasional writer for The Daily Mail, as well as contributor to several other UK and US publications. He has previously worked as a resident correspondent in Moscow and Washington. He is an Anglican Christian.
Lindsay Hansen Park
Lindsay Hansen Park is an American Mormon feminist blogger for Feminist Mormon Housewives and the Executive Director of the non-profit Sunstone Education Foundation. She is the founder of the podcast, Year of Polygamy, which explores the historical and modern impacts of polygamy within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Equalities Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Believes Friday 15th November • 8pm
Britain Is More Divided Than Ever
This year’s General Election proved to be a victory for Britain’s smaller parties, as they gained new ground against the Conservatives and the Labour Party. The resulting government has since had no easy introduction to the job; far-right riots across the country, protests of British foreign policy, and growing criticism of government economic policy have defined the first two months of its tenure. This debate asks - have we become a Divided Kingdom?
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Mish Rahman
Fiyaz Mughal
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
Dr Rakib Eshan
Shockat Adam MP
Convened by the Equalities Subcommittee
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Mish Rahman
Mish Rahman is a British Bangladeshi Muslim born and bred in the West Midlands. He’s a former National Executive Member of the Labour Party from 2020 till 2024 and Vice Chair of the campaign group Momentum. He is a trustee for anti racism education charity Show Racism the Red Card and antiracist activist.
Fiyaz Mughal
Fiyaz served as a trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust for six years. He was also the director of Faith Matters (2005-2020), a trusted not-for-profit organisation that for over twelve years has worked to tackle extremism and to build resilience within various faith and other communities in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Fiyaz is also the founder of the anti-Muslim hate crime monitoring project, Tell MAMA.
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu is a powerful advocate for social change. With extensive academic and legal expertise, Dr Shola challenges systems of oppression, emphasizing the intersectionality of gender and race. Shola is the author of the highly acclaimed book This is Why I Resist: Don’t Define My Black Identity (2021). She is also a Trustee for the human rights charity Reprieve UK and assists the organization with using strategic interventions to end the use of the death penalty.
Dr Rakib Ehsan
Dr Rakib Ehsan is a British independent researcher, writer, and media commentator, specialising in matters of social cohesion, race relations, and public security. He is the author of the book Beyond Grievance: What The Left Gets Wrong About Ethnic Minorities. He holds a PhD in Political Science obtained from Royal Holloway, University of London.
Shockat Adam MP
Shockat Adam is a businessman, optometrist, and is the Independent MP for Leicester South and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024. He has been a member of the Independent Alliance since September 2024.
Student Speaker
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The Eighth Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Would Thursday 21st November • 8pm
Disband the UN Security Council
As questions over the efficiency, veto power and composition of the United Nations’ Security Council grow, including proposals for African representation, this debate questions whether this structure is a key tool for maintaining international security or outdated and ineffective.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Sanam Nagham-Anderlini
Evie Aspinall
Dame Karen Pierce DCMG
Jeremy Browne
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Sanam Nagham Anderlini MBE
Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE is the Director of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security at the London School of Economics. She is the founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network, where she spearheads the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership, comprising women-led peacebuilding organisations in 40 countries. In 2000, she was a civil society leader and drafter of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. She previously led the first UN assessment team into Maoist cantonments in Nepal and was the first Gender and Inclusion Expert appointed to the UN’s Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisors.
Evie Aspinall
Evie Aspinall is the Director of the British Foreign Policy Group, a non-partisan think tank focused on the intersection between domestic and foreign policy. She is a five-time author of the UK’s most comprehensive annual survey of UK public opinion on foreign policy. She has previously worked at UN Women UK and the Future Leaders Network and served as President of Cambridge University Students’ Union during her undergraduate degree.
Student Speaker
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Dame Karen Pierce DCMG
Karen Pierce DCMG is the British Ambassador to the United States of America. Prior to arriving in DC, Karen Pierce was the United Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York since March 2018. Prior to this role, Karen served as the Director General for Political Affairs and Chief Operating Officer of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, from 2016.
Jeremy Browne
Jeremy Browne is the CEO of Canning House, the UK’s leading forum on Latin America. He was the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Deane from 2005-15, and served as Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and as Minister of State for Crime Prevention. He has previously served as the City of London Corporation’s Special Representative to the EU.
Student Speaker
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The Ninth Debate • Michaelmas 2024
House Would Thursday 28th November • 8pm
This
Privatise the NHS
The NHS faces a precarious position following recent strikes, financial challenges, and criticism over waiting list lengths. After over 75 years of the NHS, this debate will examine whether its future lies in privatisation and how to address the issues it faces.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Yaron Brook
Leon Emirali
Pat Cullen MP
Kamran Abbasi
Sir Terence Stephenson
Yaron Brook
Yaron Brook was the CEO of the Ayn Rand Institute for 17 years, where he is currently the Chairman of the Board. He hosts his own YouTube show, has coauthored many books on the benefits of true free markets, including his most recent In Pursuit of Wealth, the Moral Case for Finance (2017), and was previously a columnist for Forbes.
Leon Emirali
Leon Emirali is a former aide to the Rt Hon. Steve Barclay MP, working alongside the former Health Secretary when he was Brexit Secretary and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He previously co-founded a digital marketing agency and now advises global businesses on government relations and strategic communications.
Student Speaker
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Pat Cullen MP
Pat Cullen is the Sinn Féin Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone since 2024. She was previously the Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing from 2021 to 2024. She has previously worked as a community nurse in West Belfast and registered psychotherapist, and led English and Welsh nurses in the first NHS strikes in the nursing union’s history in 2022.
Dr Kamran Abbasi
Dr Kamran Abbasi is the editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal since 2021, having held various senior positions. He has previously worked in hospital medicine, in various medical specialties including psychiatry and cardiology. He is an honorary visiting professor in the department of primary care and public health at Imperial College London.
Professor Sir Terence Stephenson
Professor Sir Terence Stephenson is the Nuffield Professor of Child Health at the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London and Chair of the Health Research Authority for England. He was previously chair of the UK GMC from 2015-19 and President of the UK Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 2009-12.
The Presidential Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Believes Thursday 5th December • 8pm
The West Is Hypocritical Towards China
With tensions rising between the West and China, this debate examines their relationship in greater detail. China’s increasing position on the global stage has led to much criticism from Western nations; however, given Europe’s colonial past, some feel that these criticisms ring hollow.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Alessio D’Angelo
Kerry Brown
Steven Lynch MBE
Benedict Rogers
Charles Parton
Alessio D’Angelo
Alessio D’Angelo is the outgoing president of the Cambridge Union. He is a third year at Jesus reading history, with a particular interest in Chinese and American history. He has spent time travelling and teaching English in China.
Kerry Brown
Professor Kerry Brown is Professor of Chinese Studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London. He has previously worked as Senior Fellow and Head of the Asia Programme at Chatham House. From 1998-2005, he worked at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including as First Secretary at the British Embassy in Beijing. He has written extensively on modern Chinese politics.
Steven Lynch MBE
Steven Lynch is the Executive Director of the Eastern Powerhouse, Director at Beijing to Britain and Chairman of the IoD China Group. Steven is the former Managing Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in China. He previously lived for 12 years in China.
Benedict Rogers
Benedict Rogers is the co-founder and a trustee of Hong Kong Watch, and served as its Chief Executive until recently. He is also an advisor to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) and the Stop Uyghur Genocide Campaign, and author of seven books. He is the recipient of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit’s award for Champion of Effective Advocacy. He has previously lived in Hong Kong, China, East Timor and Washington.
Charles Parton
Charles Parton spent 22 years of his 37 year diplomatic career working in or on China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In his final posting, he was seconded to the EU Delegation in Beijing, where, as First Counsellor until late 2016, he focussed on Chinese politics and internal developments, and advised the EU and Member States on how China’s politics might affect their interests. He has also worked in Afghanistan, Cyprus, Libya and Mali. In 2017 he returned to Beijing for four months as Adviser to the British Embassy to cover the CCP’s 19th Congress.
Student Speaker
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The Varsity Debate • Michaelmas 2024
Saturday 16th November • 8pm • The Oxford Union Society
This House Believes
Ignorance Is Bliss
Our intervarsity debate sees us face the Oxford Union Society, the Durham Union Society, and the Sorbonne Debating Union to ask whether it’s better to live happy and unaware, or to have a sense of the real world around us. PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
The Oxford Union Society Débattre en Sorbonne
The Cambridge Union Society The Durham Union Society
The Cambridge Union Society
In case you missed it, the Cambridge Union is a free speech society and debating union located in the heart of Cambridge.
Both the oldest debating society in the world and the largest student society in Cambridge, the Union boasts over 70,000 life members across the globe.
The Oxford Union Society
Our twin at ‘The Other Place,’ the Oxford Union is a slighlty younger free speech society and debating union located... outside of Cambridge. All (Cambridge) Union members can visit Oxford Union events — including this debate — on account of our joint reciprocal membership. For more info on that, contact vicepresident@cus.org.
The Durham Union Society
Durham University’s oldest and largest student society, the DUS is a free speech society and debating union based in Durham. With over 10,000 life members and 3,000 active members, the Durham Union sits at the heart of Durham University. Cambridge Union members have reciprocal membership with the Durham Union.
The Sorbonne Debating Union
The youngest of the four (and the only union in this debate still part of the EU), the Sorbonne Debating Union (Débattre en Sorbonne) was founded in 2013, a debating & free speech society serving students at the Panthéon-Sorbonne, Sorbonne Nouvelle, and Université Paris-Sorbonne.
The Members & Alumni Debate • Michaelmas 2024
This House Believes Saturday 30th November • 8pm
in the Wisdom of the Past
At a time when technology is playing an increasingly central role in our everyday lives and calls grow for urgent reform of the House of Lords, we ask whether we are losing sight of the wisdom that can be gained from tradition, time and experience.
PROPOSITION OPPOSITION
Lord Chris Smith
Tom Oliver
Sammy McDonald
Neha Pauly
Christopher Lorde
Neha Pauly
Lord Chris Smith
Lord Chris Smith, Pembroke College, President, Michaelmas 1972; Labour MP for Islington South & Finsbury, 1983-2005; Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, 1997-2001; Chairman of the Advertising Standards Authority 2007-2017; Chairman of the Environment Agency 2008-2024; Member of the House of Lords since 2005; Master of Pembroke College since 2015.
Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver went up to St John’s in 1983 to read history, and was on the Conservative Association committee under Andrew Roberts’ chairmanship. He was President of the Union in Lent Term 1986. When President he hosted the first royal visit for 10 years and co-presided over the first simultaneous debate in the Cambridge and Oxford Unions with the Industrial Society. He ran an All-Party Parliamentary Group on conservation and was for a while on the Conservative Party candidates list. He is now a conservation farmer/land owner in Herefordshire.
Sammy McDonald
Sammy McDonald is a third-year undergraduate student reading History at St John’s College. He is currently the President-Elect of the Union and the LGBTQ+ Officer for the Cambridge University Labour Club. Sammy convened two Model UN conferences before attending Cambridge.
Neha Pauly is a third-year undergraduate student reading Politics and International Relations at Christ’s College. She was the President of the Union in Easter Term 2024. Before Cambridge, Neha was Executive Officer-Training at the Queensland Debating Union and Sponsorships Officer for the Brisbane Girls Debating Association Inc.
Christopher Lorde
Christopher Lorde is a second-year undergraduate student reading Politics and Sociology at Christ’s College. He is the Equalities Officer-Elect of the Union and the Publicity Officer for the Cambridge University Labour Club. Before Cambridge, Christopher was the National Director of Debate for the Junior State of America.
Student Speaker
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Floor Speech Prizes
Free personalised college puffer from Ryder & Amies
Free meal & drink for two at Gardenia’s
x2 Tickets to our Day of the Dead event
Free celebratory cake from Fitzbillies
x2 Tickets to Cocktail Making Classes
Create your own personalised Jack’s flavour!
1x seat for the following week’s three-course debate dinner
x1 Ticket to the Winter Ball
Free Penguin book set
2x £40 voucher for the Orator, dinner for 2
Post-Debate Food & Drink
Join us in the Orator after each debate on Thursday for food and drinks!
More info is to follow shortly.
Speakers A Message
from the Speakers Officer
One of the most special aspects of the Cambridge Union is the direct access which it provides its members to some of the most prominent, exciting and influential voices in society. Whilst our origins may come as a debating society, and debate continues to lie at the core of what we do, there is different and equally valuable insight to be gained from sitting down with just one figure and speaking to them in a calmer, longer and more reflective way.
This term, we are thrilled to welcome a wide array of fascinating figures to the Union. From BBC Director-General Tim Davie, to beloved comedian and online personality Munya Chawawa, we hope to provide you with insight into many different worlds. Little Simz will bring a perspective from the music industry, while William Hanson will hopefully revolutionise all of our (possibly lacking) etiquette skills. It will be a particular honour to award the Hawking Fellowship to Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who discovered pulsars whilst studying here at Cambridge.
I’d like to thank my subcommittee for all the hard work they put in over the Easter Term – it takes a lot to put a termcard together, and they very kindly found time to put aside for the Union whilst exams were looming. I am also deeply grateful to Alessio, Leonas and the rest of Standing Committee for all of the help and support they have given me, on top of assembling the rest of this formidable termcard.
So, I hope you are looking forward to this term of speaker events as much as I am. I’ll see you in the Chamber!
Alex Mitchell | Queens’ Speakers Officer, Michaelmas 2024
speakers
George Yeo
Munya Chawawa
Richard Evans
William Hanson
Jeffrey Sachs
Eddie Abbew
Sam Matterface
Tim Davie
Isabella Weatherby
Ken Griffin
Sarah Bonito
Little Simz
Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell
Interview and Book Signing with
GeorGe Yeo
Former Singaporean Politician
George Yeo was the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore from 2004-2011. George is an influential figure in Singaporean politics, having served as a Cabinet Minister across 4 different ministries across his 23 years in office. In addition to serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, George Yeo was also a former member of the Vatican’s Council for the Economy and is currently a member of the World Economic Forum’s Foundation Board. Since leaving politics, George has taken on active roles in business and public policy.
Interview and Q&A with Friday 11 October • 6pm
MunYa Chawawa
Comedian
Munya Chawawa is an award-winning satirist, writer, and actor known for his rapid, character-driven social content and sharp political commentary. A 2022 British Comedy Award winner and multiple BAFTA nominee, Munya has gained recognition for his work across TV and social media, including Netflix’s Death to 2020 and Channel 4’s How to Survive a Dictatorship. His popular characters like Posh Drill rapper Unknown P and chef Jonny Oliver have cemented him as a leader in political satire, while his production company, Munz Made It, has produced acclaimed projects like Race Around Britain on YouTube Originals.
Munya’s latest documentary explores North Korea’s authoritarian regime under Kim Jong Un. Using his trademark satire, the series combines interviews, archive footage, and humour to offer a fresh look at life under dictatorship, challenging viewers to reflect on the freedoms often taken for granted.
Tuesday 15th October • 6pm
Interview, Q&A, and Book Signing with
prof. riChard evans
Historian & Academic
Sir Richard Evans is one of the world’s leading historians of modern Germany. From 2008 to 2014 he was Regius Professor of History at Cambridge University, and from 2010 to 2017 President of Wolfson College. In 2000 he was the principal expert witness in the David Irving Holocaust Denial libel trial at the High Court in London, subsequently the subject of the film Denial. His books include Death in Hamburg (winner of the Wolfson History Prize), In Defence of History, and the three-volume The Third Reich Trilogy. In 2012, he was knighted for services to scholarship. His most recent book, Hitler’s People, was published in August this year.
Interview and Q&A with Wednesday 16th October • 6pm
williaM hanson
Etiquette Expert
Widely regarded as one of Britain’s freshest and most trusted authorities on etiquette, William’s ‘day job’ is as director of The English Manner, a leading UK etiquette training institute, where he advises individuals, organisations, and films on correct form and good manners.
He is also known for appearances on television, radio and most notably his podcast Help I Sexted My Boss, which regularly leads the Apple Podcasts and Spotify charts. In 2021, he also launched Keeping Up Appearances: The Luxury Podcast, which began its fifth series in April 2024.
William was the on-set etiquette advisor for the Amazon Prime Video film Red, White and Royal Blue and, for some reason, holds two Guinness World Records for etiquette, set in 2012 and 2019.
Monday 21st October • 6pm
Interview and Q&A with
JeffreY saChs
Economist and Public Policy Analyst
Jeffrey D. Sachs is University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where he directed the Earth Institute from 2002 until 2016. He is President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Co-Chair of the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition, Commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Development, academician of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences at the Vatican, and Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah Honorary Distinguished Professor at Sunway University. He has been Special Advisor to three United Nations Secretaries-General, and currently serves as an SDG Advocate under Secretary General António Guterres.
He spent over twenty years as a professor at Harvard University, where he received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. Sachs has received 42 honorary doctorates.
Interview and Q&A with Tuesday 22nd October • 6pm
eddie abbew
Social Media Personality & Bodybuilder
Eddie Abbew is a prominent figure in bodybuilding community and has now become a social media sensation. He is known for his views on nutrition and processed foods, emphasising the importance of healthy eating.
Abbew advocates for a diet that includes animal fat as a primary source of nutrition and recommends avoiding processed and ultra-processed foods, often discussing their connection with increasing disease.
Friday 25th October • 7pm
Interview and Q&A with
saM MatterfaCe
Football Commentator
Sam Matterface is the current voice of English Football. The lead commentator for ITV’s coverage of international football, Sam has provided the commentary for the recent memorable tournaments England have had.
This honour has been realised by Sam after over 3 decades working his way up the broadcasting and sports journalism industry.
From Hospital Radio to commentating England in the European Championships final viewed live by 24.2 million people, Sam’s journey to the top of his field has been quite remarkable.
Interview and Q&A with Monday 28th October • 6pm
tiM davie
BBC Director-General
Tim Davie became Director-General of the BBC on 1 September 2020. He is the 17th Director-General of the Corporation. As Director-General, he is the editorial, operational and creative leader of the BBC, with responsibility for a global workforce running services across television, radio and online. Prior to this, Tim was Chief Executive of BBC Studios, the BBC’s principal commercial subsidiary, with responsibility for creating and distributing leading British content globally.
Before joining the BBC, he was Vice President of Marketing and Franchise at PepsiCo Europe. Before this, Tim worked for Procter and Gamble after leaving Cambridge University where he read English. Tim is a Trustee of the Tate and the Royal Television Society.
Tuesday 29th October • 7pm
isabella weatherbY
Interview and Q&A with Interview and Networking Event with Tuesday 12th November • 6pm
Ken Griffin Businesswoman & Entrepreneur
Isabella Weatherby is a businesswoman and entrepreneur. In 2019, she founded Peachy Den, a London fashion brand with the goal of enabling functional and feminine selfexpression for customers across the world.
With a distinctive focus on fostering a sense of community, achieved through pop-up shops, open-door events and a regular blog, Peachy Den has now provided clothing for over 100,000 fans in more than 60 countries.
Founder and CEO of Citadel
Kenneth C. Griffin is the Founder and CEO of Citadel, one of the world’s leading alternative investment firms, and the Founder and Non-Executive Chairman of Citadel Securities, one of the world’s preeminent market makers.
Today, Citadel’s team of over 2,500 professionals manages nearly $60 billion in investment capital. Citadel is recognized as the world’s most profitable hedge fund. The firm has delivered extraordinary results for institutions that deliver meaningful impact for society, from curing cancer with immunotherapy to making scientific breakthroughs in particle physics.
A passionate philanthropist, Ken has donated more than $2 billion to advance education, opportunity, and health sciences initiatives that significantly transform people’s lives. In 2023, he launched Griffin Catalyst to encompass his personal philanthropy and community impact efforts.
Monday 18th November • 1pm
Interview and Q&A with
little siMz
Rapper and Actor
Little Simz is a British rapper and actor. She has released fve hip-hop albums which have pulled inspiration from a range of genres, including reggae, jazz and R&B. She has received consistent critical acclaim for her work, which has won her a number of awards, including the Mercury Prize and the Brit Award for Best New Artist for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
Outside of music, she has portrayed Shelley in Top Boy, served as a producer for the romance Shifters on the West End, and modelled for Miu Miu. Her newest project is the EP Drop 7, which was released in February this year.
Tuesday 19th November • 7pm
Interview and Q&A with
sarah bonito
Musician & Visual Artist
Sarah Bonito is the lead singer of Kero Kero Bonito, an artpop trio from London, England. The trio met on an internet forum in 2013. Sarah was born in Nagoya to a Japanese mother and British father, before moving to Kenilworth, UK at the age of 13.
KKB have released one mixtape (Intro Bonito, 2014), two albums (Bonito Generation, 2016 and Time ‘n’ Place, 2018), one EP (‘TOTEP’, 2018) and one mini-album (Civilisation, 2021), along with singles including “Flamingo”, “I’d Rather Sleep”, “Trampoline” and “Only Acting”.
Sarah is also a visual artist; regularly painting with acrylics on canvas. In 2022 Sarah debuted ‘Cryalot’ - a collaborative project with producer Jennifer Walton that explored darker aesthetics based around the story of Icarus.
Friday 22nd November • 7pm
daMe Jo CelYn bell burnell
Recipient of the 2024 Hawking Fellowship
Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell inadvertently discovered pulsars as a graduate student in radio astronomy in Cambridge, opening up a new branch of astrophysics – work recognised by the award of a Nobel Prize to her supervisor.
She has subsequently worked in many roles in many branches of astronomy, working part-time while raising a family. She is now a Visiting Academic in Oxford. She has been President of the UK’s Royal Astronomical Society, in 2008 became the first female President of the Institute of Physics for the UK and Ireland, and in 2014 the first female President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. She was one of the small group of women scientists that set up the Athena SWAN scheme.
She has received many honours, including a $3M Breakthrough Prize in 2018. The public appreciation and understanding of science have always been important to her, and she is much in demand as a speaker and broadcaster.
In her spare time, she gardens, listens to choral music and is active in the Quakers. She has co-edited an anthology of poetry with an astronomical theme – ‘Dark Matter; Poems of Space’.
A Fireside Chat with Wednesday 27th November • 7pm
Sign
up for the
SPEAKERS BALLOT
Meet the Union’s speakers at drinks receptions!
One of our core goals at the Union is to connect you, the members, with the speakers that we host. That is why we will once again be running a speaker ballot, giving you the opportunity to attend dinners and drinks receptions with this term’s guests. Keep an eye on our social media to get your chance!
Timothy Lambden
Timothy Lambden
Chris Williamson
Chris Williamson
Chris Williamson
Nordin Catic
Nordin Catic
Nordin Catic Flo Tawns
Nordin Catic
Alex Lau
Chris Williamson
Equalities A Message
from the Equalities Officer
To describe the Cambridge Union as solely a debating society would be to overlook the host of other exciting events on offer each term. As your Equalities Officer, my job is to embolden members to engage in lively discussion and to ensure we are offering a term card as diverse as our membership. Platforming underrepresented voices is a sustained commitment of the Union, and with this in mind, I hope that we have put together an exciting term card which ushers in fresh perspectives.
This term features a number of notable speakers, including The Lord Bird MBE, co-founder of The Big Issue magazine, and Peep Show actor Paterson Joseph, whose debut novel tells the story of the first Black man in Britain. Our panels aim to create a space to discuss issues both important and topical, including educational disparity and spotlighting Black voices in the arts.
The work of the Equalities sub-committee isn’t limited to standalone events; we have also collaborated across the board to integrate Equalities in all aspects of Union life. The Cellars will host a collaborative karaoke night, and we have worked with Soc Ents to bring a Día de Muertos celebration to life - the first in Union history. As a British-Mexican, I personally can’t wait to see this vibrant cultural event shared with so many. Following the events of the summer, we have also organised a particularly timely Equalities debate, contending the motion ‘This House Believes Britain is more divided than ever’.
Our ‘How to Get Involved’ workshops are also returning, with the aim of demystifying all things Union. Sessions will run over three weeks in a relaxed, informal environment, making getting involved a not-so-daunting prospect, whether you’re a fresher or finalist.
My heartfelt thanks must go to my Equalities sub-committeefor all their thoughtful contributions, Chris for all his hard work, and to the rest of Standing Committee for making our time together so enjoyable.
I wish you all the very best for the upcoming term, and look forward to seeing many of you at the Union.
Closing the Gap: Addressing Educational Inequality in the UK
THB Britain is More Divided Than Ever
Dr Linda Yueh CBE
Black Voices in the Arts Panel
Paterson Joseph events
blaCK Girl’s spaCe & brown
Girl linK up KaraoKe
Freshers and returning students, come down to the Union on the 25th October for a karaoke night in the Cellars!
Relax, meet new people, and usher in the start of the year to your favourite songs, all in collaboration with Brown Girl Link Up and Black Girl’s Space.
Friday 25th October • 7:30pm • The Footlight Cellars
the lord bird Mbe
Social Entrepeneur
John, The Lord Bird MBE, was born into poverty and brought up in care. His life journey has included spells as a prisoner, artist and printer. Now an activist, publisher and Crossbench member of the House of Lords,
Lord Bird is the driving force behind The Big Issue Group, which includes the world’s most successful street magazine, The Big Issue, and its social investment arm, Big Issue Invest.
Lord Bird is a business leader with an outstanding record of using enterprise as a force for social change in dismantling the root causes of poverty; and in Parliament, he focuses on poverty and homelessness prevention.
A Fireside Chat with Wednesday 6th November 2024 • 6pm
Monday 11th November • 6pm Panel
Closing the Gap: Addressing Educational Inequality in the UK
Exam results in England highlight widening educational disparities between rich and poor, private and state schools, and different regions. This is an issue to be explored not only at the secondary school level, but at the university level too. Cambridge, for example, saw state school admissions drop for the first time in a decade, following the announcement to scrap state school targets earlier this year. Evidently, there remains much work to be done to widen access to those from disadvantaged backgrounds, but are quotas a fair and effective solution? We discuss here with experts within the education sector and related organisations.
PANELISTS
Professor Alice Bradbury
Alice Bradbury is Professor of Sociology of Education at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society and Co-Director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy (0 to 11 Years) at UCL. Her research explores educational inequalities and education policy in primary and early years education. Her forthcoming book is titled Food Banks in Schools and Nurseries: The Education Sector’s Responses to the Cost-ofLiving Crisis (Policy Press, 2025).
Fiona Millar
Fiona Millar is a writer, journalist and campaigner specialising in education policy. Before that she worked as a reporter, feature writer and political correspondent on several national newspapers and as a special adviser at 10 Downing Street between 1997 and 2003. Fiona has been a governor at three schools in North London. She recently joined the Board of the Careers and Enterprise Company.
Tony Little
Tony Little is Chair of the Laurus Trust, a multi-academy trust operating in the Manchester area, and Group Chief Education Officer of GEMS Education, responsible for ensuring the quality of education across the global chain. He was previously Head Master of Eton College, and prior to that headmaster of Oakham School, Chigwell School, and housemaster of Brentwood School. He was educated at Eton College in Berkshire on a music bursary, and later both Corpus Christi and Homerton Colleges, University of Cambridge.
A
dr linda Yueh Cbe Economist
Dr Linda Yueh CBE is Fellow in Economics, St Edmund Hall, Oxford University and Adjunct Professor of Economics, London Business School. She was Visiting Professor at LSE IDEAS and Chair of the LSE Economic Diplomacy Commission.
Her latest book is The Great Crashes: Lessons from Global Crashes and How to Prevent Them, selected as the Best New Economics Books by the Financial Times. Her previous book, The Great Economists: How Their Ideas Can Help Us Today, was The Times’s Best Business Books of the Year, and Newsweek magazine’s Best Books of the Year.
Fireside Chat with Monday 25th November 2024 • 6pm
Friday 29th November • 6pm Panel
Black Voices in the Arts
According to a 2024 report by the Creative PEC, Black people were found to be underrepresented in arts, culture and heritage roles when compared with other occupations, by 2.8% compared with 3.8%. The report goes on to state that this analysis reinforces the finding of existing research, that arts occupations are still “a site of ethnic inequality”. This panel will be a great, unique opportunity for students, particularly those from Black backgrounds, to hear encouragement and advice from those already working in the arts sector.
PANELISTS
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers is a British Ghanaian-Nigerian award-winning Actor, Musician and Composer. She recently made her West End debut as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the Duke of York’s Theatre to critical acclaim. Francesca studied Music at Oxford University where she founded a Drama Society for students of colour, before training with the National Youth Theatre REP Company. As Composer, Francesca was awarded the Evening Standard Future Theatre Award for Audio Design 2021. Her work for screen has premiered at film festivals including BFI Flare, Outfest LA, London Short Film Festival, and she was a finalist for Best Score at the British Short Film Awards 2022.
Dr Charisse Beaumont
Charisse Beaumont is chief executive at Black Lives in Music. Black Lives in Music is an organisation that is achieving equality for Black musicians and professionals in the music industry through research and advocacy and are at the vanguard of the effort to combat racism, uniting organisations and musicians to create a truly inclusive and diverse music industry. Charisse Beaumont was one of the first to be called to give evidence at the UK Government Women and Equalities Select Committee’s Misogyny in Music inquiry. She also chairs the LIVE Group EDI workforce committee and sits on the advisory committee at War Child UK.
Chi-chi Nwanoku
Chi-chi Nwanoku is a celebrated classical double bassist and Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Chineke!, a Foundation which supports and creates opportunities for Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe. She was awarded the CBE in the 2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours for Services to Music & Diversity, and has received accolades including the Commonwealth Cultural Enterprise Award, Creative Industries Award, and Top 10 BBC Women in Music. Chi-chi holds Honorary Doctorates of Music from Chichester, Open and Cambridge Universities.
A Fireside Chat with paterson Joseph
Actor & Writer
Paterson Joseph is an actor and writer. He has performed extensively on the British stage in theatres large and small. From the Bush Theatre when it was just a wee pub venue, to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford and the National Theatre in London via his favourite theatre The Royal Exchange in Manchester.
His stage credits include The Royal Hunt of the Sun, The Emperor Jones, Blues For Mr Charlie, Les Blancs, Elmina’s Kitchen and Saint Joan. He has more recently been seen on television in BBC TV’s Boat Story, Vigil and Noughts and Crosses; the AMC+ /Prime western That Dirty Black Bag and notoriously Channel 4’s Peep Show. His American adventures include Timeless and The Leftovers.
His film credits include In The Name Of The Father, Aeon Flux, The Beach and most recently he played Arthur Slugworth in Wonka.
Wednesday 4th December 2024 • 6pm
GettinG involved worKshops
Organised by the Equalities Subcommittee
Looking to get involved in the Union but don’t know where to start? Here are your lucky days! Equalities Officer Karina Reed will be running workshops on how to dive into the world of the Union on Tuesday 22nd October, Monday 28th October and Thursday 7th November in the Union Chamber. Join us for a workshop & guide to getting involved!
Socials A Message
from the Social Events Officer
It is often said that the heart of the Union lies in its lively debates and engaging speaker events. However, with a historic building at our disposal, the Union has long been a social hub for both its own members and the wider university community. My role is to ensure that we continue this tradition by organising various events for members to enjoy. This Michaelmas term, we have ensured that our events are designed with members in mind, making full use of everything the Union has to offer.
We begin the term with our annual Freshers’ Ball—this year, a masquerade! Featuring popular student bands and Cambridge favourites, this event is sure to welcome our new members in the true Union style. Later in the term, we will transform the Union into a lively fiesta for Dia de los Muertos, where traditional dance, food and music can be revelled in. Owing to the upcoming US election, we will be having an allnight watch party! Where’s better to witness a potentially historic election than in the world’s oldest debating chamber? Finally, to end the term on a high, the winter ball will be returning in December.
I want to thank my Social Events sub-committee for their dedication and all the exceptional work they have put in over the last term. These events are as much yours as mine, and I do hope you have the chance to enjoy witnessing them come to life.
I look forward to seeing many of you in the upcoming term at the Union!
My very best wishes,
Penelope Slater | Girton College Social Events Officer, Michaelmas 2024
Masquerade Freshers’ Ball Dia de Muertos
US Election Watch Party
Cocktail Making Classes
Winter Ball events
T H E
F R E S H E R S M A S Q U E R A D E B A L L
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO CELEBRATE
DIA DE MUERTOS
C U S X M E X S O C S U N D A Y O C T O B E R 4 P M - L A T E
T H E O R A T O R
C O C K T A I L
C L A S S E S
F O L L O W
@ C A M B R I D G E U N I O N
F O R T H E W E E K L Y
C L A S S S C H E D U L E
L E A R N H O W T O M A K E Y O U R
F A V O U R I T E D R I N K U N I O N C E L L A R S 8 P M
CUSBWINTER AL L
December 2 N D
8pm-2am
the aluMni & MeMbers’ dinner & drinKs
The Cambridge Union is thrilled to invite life members back to its historic chamber for an exclusive alumni debate on 30th November 2024. Tickets are £60, including a drinks reception at 5.30pm, followed by dinner at 6:00pm and the debate at 8:00pm. The dress code is black tie.
Tickets are exclusively available for alumni and members of The Cambridge Union to buy at our Ticket Tailor page — the link to which can be found in our Instagram bio and in our most recent weekly email. We hope to see you there for what will surely be a fabulous night!
Saturday 30th November • 5:30pm • The Dining Room
S T A N D I N G
C O M M I T T E E
President Vice President
Alessio D’Angelo | Jesus
Treasurer
Alesia Laçi | Homerton
Executive Officer
Anoushka Kale | Sidney Sussex
Equalities Officer
Karina Reed | Fitzwilliam
Comp. Deb. Officer
James Cater | Gonville & Caius
Leonas Pausch | Homerton
Communications Officer
Esha Patel | Murray Edwards
Speakers Officer
Alex Mitchell | Queens’
Social Events Officer
Penelope Slater | Girton
Comp Deb. Officer
Joshua Low | Magdalene
O F F I C E RE L E C T S
President-Elect
Sammy McDonald | St John’s
Speakers Officer-Elect
Ivan Alexei Ampiah | Downing
Social Events Officer-Elect
Ben Davison | Homerton
Executive Officer-Elect
Jessica Spearman | Murray Edwards
Equalities Officer-Elect
Christopher Lorde | Christ’s
Image Credits: Nordin Ćatić & Christopher Lorde
F U L L
C O M M I T T E E
Senior Members
Secretary: Christina Huang | Christ’s
Librarian: Max Eshelby | Clare
Membership & Alumni: Katie Marshall | Newnham
Chief of Staff: Theo Larsen | Jesus
Librarian’s Committee
Librarian: Max Eshelby | Clare
Lily-Grace Williams | Girton
Events Management Department
Head: Nicola Craciun | Trinity
Deputy: Roberta Rennie | Sidney Sussex
Gabrielle Apfel | Lucy Cavendish
Franci Tafilaj | King’s
Jack Peters | Gonville & Caius
Nathalie Senkye | Trinity
Madeleine Matthews | Jesus
Aliya Adebowale | Trinity
Arnisa Rama | Queens’
James Hogben | Queens’
Austin Chen | Robinson
Esther Duann | St Catherine’s
Phoebe Qiu | Murray Edwards
Emily Richmond | Peterhouse
Publicity Department
Head: Alexandra Defterios | Robinson
Deputy: Freya Thompson | Selwyn
Ciaron Tobin | St John’s
Kerrie Portman | Girton
Joanne Yau | Lucy Cavendish
Eleanor Voak | Selwyn
Maya Sexton | Sidney Sussex
Daniel Vollborth | Churchill
Guest Liaison Department
Head: Sid Fenton | Selwyn
Senior: Orla Hunt | Homerton
Senior: Olivia Arney | St John’s
Joshua Dargan | Homerton
Eric Zalcman | Homerton
Erin McGurk | St John’s
Niamh Walters | Murray Edwards
Romeo Liyan | King’s
Ben Davison | Homerton
Tatun Harrison-Turnbull | Emmanuel
Sofia Farooqi | St Catherine’s
Innes Morgan | Churchill
Theo Langslow | St John’s
Suchir Salhan | Gonville & Caius
Shifra Moriarty | Girton
Audio Visual Department
Head: Oscar Beechey-Newman | St Catharine’s
Seyan Dattani | Wolfson
Tamudaishe Siringwani | ARU
Access & Outreach
Prisha Jindal | Lucy Cavendish
Aishwarya Khadka | Clare
Welfare
Lucy Hufton | Robinson
Ali Eren Talan | Gonville & Caius
Photography
Head: Nordin Catic | St John’s
Mark Wadey | Pembroke
Timothy Lambden | Girton
Flo Tawns
William Blakesley-Herbert
Debates Sub-Committee
Aruba Bibi | Sidney Sussex
Christina Huang | Christ’s
S U B - C O M M I T T E E S
Hassan Himaz | Gonville & Caius
Helena Sobanska | Queens’
Hugh McDowell | Selwyn
Ivan Alexei Ampiah | Downing
Jack Peters | Gonville & Caius
Katie Clarke | Sidney Sussex
Max Eshelby | Clare
Nick Barclay | Queen’s
Robert Boote | Selwyn
Shreeja Sharma | St John’s
Suren Maz Pahlevan | Emmanuel
Tamudaishe Siringwani | ARU
Speakers Sub-Committee
Adeola Amure |Magdalene
Aishwarya Khadka |Clare
Aliya Adebowale | Trinity
Ben Davison |Homerton
Daragh McQuaid | Fitzwilliam
Esther Magedera | Gonville and Caius
Gabrielle Apfel | Lucy Cavendish
Joshua Dargan | Homerton
Lily Pfaffenzeller | Christ’s
Madeleine Matthews | Jesus
Minnat Mohammed | Homerton
Oli Zhao | Queen’s
Olivia Arney | St John’s
Orla Hunt | Homerton
Phoebe Qiu | Murray Edwards
Sammy McDonald | St John’s
Tabitha Smyth | Churchill
Valeriya Damola | Churchill
Equalities Sub-Committee
Chalo Waya | Jesus
Christopher Lorde | Christ’s
Mariko Moore | Homerton
Muhammad Hussein | King’s
Ruby Livingston | Christ’s
Social Events Sub-Committee
Cara Chandler | King’s
Nikhil Sehgal | Selwyn
Katie Marshall | Newham
Sarah Aaliyah Kleinmoedig | Fitzwilliam
Sid Fenton | Selwyn
Winter Ball Committee
Aaron Lardi | Fitzwilliam
Aliya Adebowale | Trinity
Ben Davison | Homerton
Jack Peters | Gonville & Caius
Jessica Spearman | Murray Edwards
Louis Davidson | Homerton
Luca Beltrame | Girton
Maame Oppong-Agyare | Homerton
Sarah Aaliyah Kleinmoedig | Fitzwilliam
S T A F F
Bursar: John Brown
General Manager: Bart Fajer
Membership Secretary: Alice Reddick
Finance Manager: Patience Tilbury
Finance Assistant: Ella Cairns
Conferencing Events Manager: Ben Keen
Events Administrator: Victor Lisowski
Events Coordinator: Roberta Di’Maggio
Supervisors: Dante Capadas, Emilija Capaite, & Pedro Eusebio
Head Chef: Nathan Bush
Sous Chef: Andrew Cymbala
Marketing Manager: Mark Wadey
Senior AV Technician: Chris Izatt
Site Supervisor: Chris Porter
Housekeeping: Lucia Cretu & Monika Gawron
Minister without portfolio: Sky, Moss & Bruce
T R U S T E E S
Chair: Dr Mohamed El-Erian Alessio D’Angelo
Leonas Pausch
Nick Heath FRICS
David Robinson
David Branch
Sarah Nathan
Phillip Harrison
Angela Broughton
Sir Christopher Greenwood KC
Lord Stephen Parkinson
Rachel Green
R E V I E W C O M M I T T E E
Chair: Joshua Blanchard Lewis
Alex Forzani
Nick Wright
Sam Longton
Rachel Tustin
Freddie Dyke
Imran Mateo
Alasdair Donovan
Alycia Leach
Emaan Ullah
Jungmin Seo
President’s Thanks
To Leonas, thank you for just being the best Vice-President. Your work at the Union is fantastic and your dedication to the institution is commendable; this place would not function without you. To Esha, your work as Communications Officer is invaluable and you always manage to make sure our releases look amazing. Your composure when dealing with last minute issues is so refreshing, and I’ve enjoyed every walk to Monday office hours. To Alesia, thank you for effectively managing our budget and ensuring this place does not fall into ruin. I’m glad to be not only colleagues at the Union but also seemingly in every single module of history together too. Katie, you have always been a wonderful colleague and I think the work on alumni outreach is fantastic. Thank you for your hard work.
To Anoushka, your dedication to debate is simply unparalleled. Your tireless work has ensured that we have a host of fantastic debates packed to the brim with fantastic speakers and I am so happy to have worked alongside you my whole time on standing. To Alex, your ability to send off millions of emails in such a short time and secure the most amazing speakers has me truly in awe. Your hard work has meant we have a speaker for truly everyone, ranging from stars of the arts to distinguished academics.
To Karina, you have always been a delight to work with and have worked hard to design a host of exciting events. Your commitment to tackling important social issues has always impressed me. To Penelope, I am so glad to be putting on an exciting number of social events with some of them novel and sure to be a blast! I am particularly excited for the Day of the Dead event, which both you and Karina have worked so hard on. To Josh and James, I am excited to see the Competitive Debating this term. You guys are truly dedicated to this, and I know the program is in good hands.
To Sammy, your debating expertise is unmatched; only you would be able to show me up at my own specialist subject in a seminar. I am glad to have worked alongside you and I wish you all the best for your term.
To Jess, thank you for being a great friend supporting me with both my endeavours at the Union and in friendship as well. To Josh, our time at the Union has been an interesting one and I am so glad to have been your colleague as well as a close friend. Felix, you have always stood by my side, and I enjoyed our time collaborating together.
To the rest of the present and past Standing Committee, thank you for your hard work. Ivan and Christina, you worked tirelessly on this term card and always can be relied on! Also, to subcommittees, you are the backbone of this place. Thank you for the countless hours attended, and vast quantity of emails sent. We could not do it without you!
Nick, its been bloody brilliant knowing you. Thanks for being a great President and supporting me throughout my tenure as Speakers Officer. It has been a long journey to get where we are today, but I am glad to have share these memories with you.
To Neha, starting together as freshers on Speakers Subcommittee to eventually becoming Presidents has been delightful from start to finish. Seeing you in that chair last term, heading some fantastic debates was a pleasure and I hope to still see you around the Union this term.
To James, my first venture into Union politics was alongside you, and I thank you for your mentorship. To Chris George, thank you for supporting me through my candidacy for Speakers Officer; it meant a lot.
To Chris Lorde and Elise, I cannot thank you enough for your countless hours working on the term card. Your creative talents allow the term card to not be amazing but look amazing too. Thanks for handling all of our lastminute requests and helping this vision for the term card come to life!
To the staff at CUS and the Orator, I am ever grateful for your support. Helping me through some tricky decisions has meant a lot but most importantly just being friendly faces that make spending countless hours even more of a delight. John, I thank you for your dedication to the institution and to the rest of the team thank you so much for always making sure events run smoothly and are always excellent.
I also thank the Trustees for their time and effort spent ensuring the success of this great institution. Coffee and a chat before those early morning meetings has always been a highlight for me. Lord Parkinson I am excited to see you debate this term and I cannot thank you enough for your efforts in crafting the term card. To Dr Mohamed El-Erian, you have been an excellent Head of Trustees, and I thank you for your support.
To my parents, I thank you for supporting me in all my endeavours. Your unwavering support has enabled me to flourish; without your encouragement I would not be where I am today. I will always be so grateful of your support and I hope I have made you proud. Maybe you can make it to one or two events.
To my friends, putting up with the incessant social media barrage of Union content has meant a lot to me. Its warming to have so many people by my side and coming along to events. Adi, Aradhya, Ella, Rob, Martha and Theo, I have always been able to count on you and I appreciate every time you have helped me out, both Union related and not. Shreya, I thank you for going to those first debates with me; it’s a shame you are back in the US but I wish you all the best with med school. And to Haiwei, who I started this journey with, I hope to realise those dreams we discussed that first night at the Squire.
To Sal, who I owe so much, I cannot thank you enough. From taking me under your wing and mentoring me to just being a great friend to hang out with, your companionship has meant so much to me. I wish you were here this term to enjoy the fruits of our labour. From Library Court II to the Panton Arms, every step of this journey has been a delight. I partially dedicate this term card to you.
Finally, I dedicate the term card to Mr Han. Sat on the Union benches for the first time in 2020, you inspired me to strive to be where I am today. Your unwavering dedication to us as students, pushing us to achieve our best was invaluable. As a first-generation university student, it was you who allowed me to achieve my dream. I can honestly say that without your support and believing in me, I would not be at Cambridge, let alone President of the Union today. For all of this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Finally, I thank you, the members. Ultimately, this place would not exist without you, and it is your continued support and engagement that drives all of us on committee.
Alessio D’Angelo | Jesus President, Michaelmas 2024
Inspiring, Giving, Sharing.
AstraZeneca supporting the Cambridgeshire community in many ways.
Over 4,500 employees in Cambridge
Our employees based in Cambridge offer their time, expertise and enthusiasm to the community— both within the city of Cambridge and beyond. Wherever possible, we work on collaborative, sustainable solutions to common local challenges. One way in which we do this is the Young Health Programme UK, working with young people with a specific focus on adolescent mental health and emotional wellbeing. Along with our charity partner, Plan International UK, we are working with The Kite Trust, 20Twenty Productions and KICK in Cambridgeshire to support young people aged 10-24 to realise their right to good mental wellbeing.
Over 1,100 Cambridge Volunteers!
So far for 2023, more than 1,100 AstraZeneca UK employees have volunteered to help local charities and community causes in and around Cambridge. This has supported 51 worthy beneficiaries, with more projects planned over the coming months.
Supporting our Cambridge Charity of the Year 2023
In 2023, AstraZeneca is supporting Jimmy’s Night Shelter (Jimmy’s) as our Cambridge Charity of the Year through a programme of fundraising events and volunteering opportunities. Jimmy’s is a community-based charity providing both support and housing to people who are rough sleeping.
We inspire the next generation of scientists
“AstraZeneca’s support for and involvement in the Active Science Programme makes a huge difference to our ability to inspire 800 children across Cambridge each year to take an interest in science through physical activity. Bringing world-class science equipment, provided by AstraZeneca, into local primary schools in Cambridge excites us as much as it does the children we engage with”.
Vicky Neal, Head, Cambridge United Community Trust
Women in science
We collaborate with Cambridge Judge Business School and Lucy Cavendish College in support of our common goals of advancing women in science and business leadership, providing career advice and mentoring.
65 Business Mentors in Cambridge
“Mentoring entrepreneurs outside the company helps us challenge thinking among our colleagues and exposes us to new approaches that can be applied here. In addition to the benefits that mentoring brings to the entrepreneurs and start-ups themselves, our mentors thrive on the energy of the entrepreneurs they work with, and the process helps them think differently about their own work”.
Shaun
Grady, Sr. Vice-President, Business Development
The Cambridge Union
Michaelmas 2024
Designed by Christopher Lorde
Illustrations courtesy of Elise Batchelor and Dan Cohn-Sherbok
