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President’s Welcome

Welcome to the 2026 Easter Term. It is a privilege to present this Term Card to you, and I hope it can convince you to leave whichever library or college garden you may find yourself in, and join us in 24s or at our events

Easter Term in Durham is defined by contrast. The long, sunlit afternoons spent with friends in June, preceded by the far less romantic doom and gloom revision in the Billy B, and the slow, grinding attrition of exam season.

Over the coming weeks, I aim to confront and provoke discussion on some of the most pressing and divisive issues facing our generation, from international conflict and shifting geopolitical realities to the highly contested debates surrounding sex and gender For over 180 years, the Union has existed to provide a forum in which such questions can be examined rigorously, where ideas are challenged and disagreement is expected

Easter is also when Durham is at its most social, with all colleges hosting their summer ball there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the end of exams, and the Union is no different. The annual Garden Party and Boat Party are always among the highlights of the term, with this year’s boat party taking on a suitably summery Mamma Mia theme.

For many, this term will mark the end of their time in Durham. The Union has defined much of my first two years here and continues to be shaped by those who take part in it Whether this is your final year or your first, I hope you will make the most of it. Welcome back, and I hope you enjoy this massive term.

Yours,

Edward

Edward Tye Grey College President - Easter 2026

History of the Union

The Durham Union Society is Durham’s oldest and largest student society. Founded in 1842, the Union plays a unique role in the collegiate system of Durham University in a way no other student society can. For nearly two centuries, it has served as the university’s central forum for debate, social interaction, and intellectual rigour.

In 1881 the Society moved into the Pemberton Buildings on Palace Green. This gave the Union a permanent Debating Chamber - a chamber that has since hosted prime ministers and global icons.

The Union then expanded into 24 North Bailey, the previous site of St Aidan’s Society, and now affectionately known as ‘24s’ This site became the Union’s social engine, housing its private bar, library, garden, and accomodation, bridging the gap between formal debate and student life.

Today, the Society maintains these buildings and its constitutional independence, though works in close partnership with the University. As Durham’s representative for Competitive and Union Debating, the Durham Union Society ensures Durham remains a powerhouse of British rhetoric.

This House Believes The Modern Left Has Abandoned The Working Class

Friday 1 May 8:30pm st

This House Regrets

The Reformation

Friday 5 June 8:30pm th

This House Would Privatise

The BBC Friday 19 June 8:30pm th

D e b a t e s

Our Friday night debates offer members the opportunity to hear from and question renowned speakers. Our guests come from a variety of fields and speak on some of the most pressing issues of our time. This term we look forward to hosting leading academics, business people, politicians, and journalists.

Beyond the opportunity to ask questions during the debates themselves, after every event we host a reception in 24s North Bailey Club, where members can converse with our speakers in a less formal setting, and over a glass of free union wine! We look forward to seeing you there.

FRIDAY 1ST MAY 8:30PM

ELVET METHODIST CHURCH

PROPOSITION

PAUL EMBERY

LEWIS MATES

MARIA HUNT

OPPOSITION

CLLR ALISON GRAY

CLLR CHRIS FOOTE-WOOD

MARTIN SMITH

FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 8:30PM

PROPOSITION

LUCY UNDERWOOD

OPPOSITION

JOHN COFFEY

ALEC RYRIE

INDIA JUBB

PIA COMER

TBC

FRIDAY 19TH JUNE 8:30PM

PROPOSITION

TOM HARWOOD

TIM CONGDON CBE

TBC

OPPOSITION

LEE EDWARDS

TBC

WILLIAM PUGH

Free Boat Party Ticket Week 1

Free pints from the Water House Week 6

Bottle of Durham Union Port Week 8

o o r P r i z e s

We’vepartneredwithlocalbusinessestoreviveouroutreachscheme,benefitingboth ourmembersandourlocalcommunitybydeliveringuniqueofferstoyouandmore customerstolocalbusinesses.

24s North Bailey Club

and Bar

About us

24 North Bailey Club is at the heart of the Durham Union Society. Home to our bar, adjoining Reading Room and office, we host a variety of social events throughout the academic year.

Open from 20:30pm Quiz! £1 entry per person, with new question themes and exciting (often boozy) prizes every week!

Bar and Garden Hire

The Durham Union Society offers the opportunity to book our bar and gardens for private events. Whatever the occasion, our central bailey location is an excellent choice for hosting.

BAR AND GARDEN £300

8PM-MIDNIGHT £50

DEPOSIT

Open to all; 24s is a place to meet Union members, partake in our weekly pub quiz, or have a quiet pint of our famous ‘Spin Doctor’.

Join our Pub Quiz!

Join us in the bar every Sunday at 9pm for our Pub

Our Insta

Reading Room Hire

In addition to booking our well renowned 24s bar, we offer the opportunity to book our reading room. a fantastic events venue for meetings, events, receptions, even smaller gatherings!

READING ROOM £35

HOURLY - MIN 2 HOURS

13th June

TBC

22nd June

Finance Careers

Workshop

Politics Careers Workshop

MMT Head-to-Head

Previously at the Union

24 North Bailey Club Finance Careers Workshop

The Durham Union is proud to host this careers workshop to provide expert information and advice for those members seeking to pursue a future in Finance. Whether your interests lie in investment banking, financial analysis, global markets, or beyond, this workshop is designed for you.

24 North Bailey Club

Politics Careers Workshop

An exciting opportunity to gain insight into careers in government and politics, with practical advice from those with experience in parliamentary offices and casework. Whether your interests lie in Parliament, think tanks, communications, or beyond, this session is designed for you.

22nd June 20:30pm

VENUE TBC

Head to Head: This House Believes MMT Offers a better policy framework than Mainstream Economics

Emerging from post-Keynesian economics in the 1990s, Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) questions the orthodox view that governments face strict financial constraints comparable to households. post the financial crisis and the pandemic, these ideas have moved from academic margins to the centre of contemporary economic debate.

Proposition Opposition

S p e a k e r s

All events are followed by a drinks reception in The Durham Union Society’s 24 North Bailey Club. Dan Bloom

Each term we give our members the once-in-alifetime opportunity to engage with renowned experts and celebrities. Each event takes the form of either a speech from the speaker followed by questions from the audience, or a more relaxed 'In Conversation With' interview.

Elin Suleymanov

Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK

Elin Suleymanov is an Azerbaijani diplomat who serves as Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Kingdom.

He previously served for a decade as Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the United States, and was earlier the country’s first Consul General in Los Angeles.

WEEK 1

Tuesday 28 April 20:30 th

In Conversation with

Dan Bloom

UK political editor for POLITICO

Dan Bloom is a journalist and the current UK Political Editor at POLITICO, where he covers Westminster politics and government.

He is an alumnus of Durham University and previously served as editor of Palatinate.

WEEK 1

Thursday 30 April 20:30 th

Ilan Pappé

Israeli historian and political scientist

Ilan Pappé is an Israeli historian, author and political scientist who serves as Professor of History at the University of Exeter.

He is co-director of the European Centre for Palestinian Studies and is known for his work on the modern history of Palestine and Israel.

WEEK 2

Monday 4 May 20:30 th

Thursday 7 May 18:30 th

In Conversation with

Baroness Hale of Richmond

Former President of the UK Supreme Court

Baroness Hale is a retired British judge who served as President of the UK Supreme Court from 2017 to 2020. She was the second woman appointed to the Court of Appeal and, in 2004, became the first female Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. She is now a life peer in the House of Lords.

Laila Cunningham

Reform UK London Mayor Candidate

Laila Cunningham is a British politician and former Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor who serves as a councillor for Lancaster Gate on Westminster City Council.

In January 2026, she was announced as Reform UK’s candidate for the 2028 London mayoral election.

WEEK 7

Monday 8 June 20:30 th

Wednesday 10 June 20:30 th

Eduard Heger

10th Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic

Eduard Heger is a Slovak politician who served as the tenth Prime Minister of Slovakia from 2021 to 2023. He previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Ian Proud

Ian Proud was a member of His Majesty's Diplomatic Service from 1999 to 2023. He served at the British Embassy in Moscow from July 2014 to February 2019, witnessing the collapse in UK-Russia relations that preceded the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

WEEK 7

Thursday 11 June 20:30 th

In Conversation with Former British Diplomat in Moscow

Helen Joyce

Journalist and Gender Critical Activist

Helen Joyce is an Irish journalist and campaigner. She previously worked at The Economist, holding senior roles including Britain editor, Finance editor, International editor and São Paulo bureau chief.

She is the author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality and currently serves as Director of Advocacy for human-rights charity Sex Matters.

WEEK 8 Monday 15 June 20:30 th 25

The Garden Party

Garden Barbeque Specialty Drinks

Games Outdoors

Evening DJ

The BoatParty

An open environment free from prejudice or discrimination

Removing barriers so all can engage fully

Transparent, fair, and trusted governance

Stronger ties with the wider student body and the local community

Meet our Equalities

Officer:

Robbie Bono 3 Year rd Economics

St. Cuthberts

ACCESSIBILITY FORM

Please let us know if there are any individual adjustments we can make to accommodate your access needs - from enlarged order papers to needing to sit closer to speakers, we will do our absolute best to ensure you can enjoy our events as fully as possible Use our online form to request adjustments, and for more info contact our Disabilities Representative at disabilitiesrep@dusorguk

Access the Anonymous Complaints form here!

Our Alumni Opportunities

Our career workshops and networking events give members the opportunity to learn from field leaders, gain practical insights into industry, and boost their employability For more information on this term’s workshops, flip to page 14 in the term card. contact our Alumni Officer at alumni@dusorguk

Our annual mentorship scheme pairs Durham Union members with alumni working across a wide range of professional fields. With mentors spanning Parliament, top law firms, finance, media, diplomacy and beyond, the scheme offers students meaningful insight into competitive career paths From CV feedback and informal guidance to shadowing opportunities and longer-term professional relationships, the mentorship scheme continues to provide tangible value to members navigating early career decisions

DURHAM DEBATING

Step Up to the Podium!

We offer tailored training programmes, world-class coaches, and the ability to compete across the world! If you enjoy travelling, themed socials, and a cheeky debate between friends, Durham Debating could be the place for you!

Whether it’s your first summer in Durham or last one to remember, our community will make you feel at home.