t h e DURHAM UNION
EASTER TERM 2026
Presiden t - Ed ward T ye
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 f ind yourself in, and join us in 24s or at our events. Easter Term in Durham is def ined by contrast. The long, sunlit afternoons spent with f riends 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 conf ront and provoke discussion on some of the most pressing and divisive issues facing our generation, f rom 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 def ined much of my f irst two years here and continues to be shaped by those who take part in it. Whether this is your f inal year or your f irst, 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
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History of the Union
Robert Buckland, former Lord Chancellor (President MT 1989)
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.
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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.
Contents 1
President’s Welcome
2
History
4
Debates
12
Opportunities
13
24 North Bailey
14
Special Events
19
Speakers
26
Social Events
30
Equalities
32
Alumni
33
Durham Debating
34
Meet the Off icers
36
Term Calendar
3
Friday 1 st May 8:30pm This House Regrets The Reformation
Friday 5 th June 8:30pm This House Would Privatise The BBC
Friday 19 th June 8:30pm
4
Debates
This House Believes The Modern Left Has Abandoned The Working Class
Debates
Our Friday night debates offer members the opportunity to hear f rom and question renowned speakers. Our guests come f rom a variety of f ields 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 f ree union wine! We look forward to seeing you there.
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This House believes
THE MODERN LEFT HAS ABANDONED THE WORKING CLASS FRIDAY 1ST MAY 8:30PM ELVET METHODIST CHURCH
PROPOSITION PAUL EMBERY
Paul Embery is a trade unionist, firefighter, and author, and a prominent figure within Blue Labour. He has written on the decline of working-class support for the Labour Party and is known for his criticism of liberal progressivism within the left.
LEWIS MATES
Dr Lewis Mates is an Associate Professor in Political Theory at Durham University. His research focuses on the Labour Party, the British left, and trade unionism, with particular interests in political ideology and democratic theory.
MARIA HUNT
Maria Hunt is a second year student studying English Literature at St Aidan’s College. Maria is our current Custodian and has published articles for the Palatinate concerning contemporary sexual violence and misogyny within Parliament and on social media.
OPPOSITION CLLR CHRIS FOOTE-WOOD
Councillor Chris Foote-Wood is a politician, author, and journalist representing Barnard Castle for the Labour Party. He brings 45 years of experience to Durham County Council, where he serves on the Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee and the Police and Crime Panel.
CLLR ALISON GRAY
Councillor Alison Gray is a Labour politician representing the Spennymoor on Durham County Council. She focuses on community welfare and public safety through her work on the Adult Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and the Police and Crime Panel.
MARTIN SMITH
Martin Smith is a Senior Associate at Unions21, a think tank focused on the future of trade unions and the labour movement. His work centres on trade union strategy, political engagement, and the relationship between organised labour and public policy.
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This House Regrets
THE REFORMATION
FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 8:30PM VENUE TBC
PROPOSITION LUCY UNDERWOOD
Dr Lucy Underwood is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Warwick. Her research focuses on English Catholic communities after the Reformation, with particular emphasis on religious identity, education, and Catholic experience under Protestant rule.
TBC
PIA COMER
Pia is a second-year student at University College studying Theology and Religion. She is the Executive Assistant to the Founder and Director General of the John Locke Institute, a Pinsker Centre Policy Fellow, and the Speakers Secretary of the Durham Union.
OPPOSITION ALEC RYRIE
Alec Ryrie is Professor of the History of Christianity at Durham University. His research focuses on the Protestant Reformation and the history of Protestantism, and he has published extensively on religious belief and culture in early modern Britain.
JOHN COFFEY
John Coffey is a Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Leicester. A prolific author, John is regarded for his contributions to understanding the complex relationship between faith and freedom.
INDIA JUBB
A second-year theology student from University College who is the current Steward of the Durham Union Society. Outside of her studies and society work, India enjoys rugby, water polo, and travelling.
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This House Would
PRIVATISE THE BBC
FRIDAY 19TH JUNE 8:30PM VENUE TBC
PROPOSITION TOM HARWOOD
Tom Harwood is a journalist and broadcaster, and a presenter at GB News. He has worked as a political correspondent and is known for his commentary on economic policy, media, and public affairs. He also was President of the Durham Union in Epiphany Term 2017.
TIM CONGDON CBE
Tim Congdon CBE is an economist and founder of International Monetary Research Ltd. He is a leading advocate of monetarism and has written extensively on monetary policy, banking, and macroeconomics.
TBC
OPPOSITION LEE EDWARDS
Professor Lee Edwards is Professor of Strategic Communications at the London School of Economics. Her work examines public relations, strategic communication, and the role of organisations in shaping media and public discourse.
TBC
WILLIAM PUGH
Will is a 2nd year Politics and International Relations student at South College. He is the Publicity Officer of the Durham University Labour Society and has a strong interest in the role of the BBC in Britain’s political landscape.
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Free Boat Party Ticket
Week 6 Free pints from the Water House
Week 8 Bottle of Durham Union Port
Floor Prizes
Week 1
Treasurer’s Treats
10% in-store discount
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20% off Tuesdays, 10% off on other weekdays
We’ve partnered with local businesses to revive our outreach scheme, benefiting both our members and our local community by delivering unique offers to you and more customers to local businesses.
24s North Bailey Club and Bar Open from 20:30pm
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 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 Quiz! £1 entry per person, with new question themes and exciting (often boozy) prizes every week!
Our Insta
Bar and Garden Hire
Reading Room 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.
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!
BAR AND GARDEN £300 8PM-MIDNIGHT £50 DEPOSIT
READING ROOM £35 HOURLY - MIN 2 HOURS
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June Finance Careers Workshop
TBC
Politics Careers Workshop
22 nd June MMT Head-to-Head
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Special Events
13 th
Previously at the Union Durham IV Debate Competition:
29th-30th November 2025
Student Party Mock Election: 30th January 2026
Durham Schools Debate Competition: 28th-29th March 2026
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13th June
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, f inancial analysis, global markets, or beyond, this workshop is designed for you.
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Aditya Sharma
Tim Smith
Siafra James
Fixed Income Analyst
Director, Markets and Execution
Financial Advisor
TBC
24 North Bailey Club
Politics Careers Workshop An exciting opportunity to gain insight into careers in government and politics, with practical advice f rom those with experience in parliamentary off ices and casework. Whether your interests lie in Parliament, think tanks, communications, or beyond, this session is designed for you.
Finley Harnett
George Causer
Former Senior Parliamentary Assistant
Senior Caseworker for Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP
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22nd June 20:30pm VENUE TBC
Head to Head: This House Believes MMT Offers a better policy framework than Mainstream Economics Emerging f rom post-Keynesian economics in the 1990s, Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) questions the orthodox view that governments face strict f inancial constraints comparable to households. post the f inancial crisis and the pandemic, these ideas have moved f rom academic margins to the centre of contemporary economic debate.
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Proposition
Opposition
Steven Hail
Maxwell Marlow
Founder of Modern Money Lab and Associate Professor, Torrens University Australia
Director of Public Affairs, Adam Smith Institute
30 th April Dan Bloom 4 th
May
Ilan Pappé
7 th
May
Baroness Hale
8 th
June
Laila Cunningham
10 th June
Eduard Heger
11 th June
Ian Proud
15 th June
Helen Joyce
Speakers
28 th April Elin Suleymanov
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 f rom the speaker followed by questions f rom the audience, or a more relaxed 'In Conversation With' interview. All events are followed by a drinks reception in The Durham Union Society’s 24 North Bailey Club.
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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 f irst Consul General in Los Angeles.
WEEK 1 Tuesday 28 th April 20:30
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.
Thursday 30
20
th
WEEK 1 April 20:30
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 th May 20:30
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WEEK 2 Thursday 7 th May 18:30
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.
22
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 th June 20:30
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WEEK 7 Wednesday 10 th June 20:30
Eduard Heger 10th Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic
Eduard Heger is a Slovak politician who served as the tenth Prime Minister of Slovakia f rom 2021 to 2023. He previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
In partnership with
24
Ian Proud Former British Diplomat in Moscow
Ian Proud was a member of His Majesty's Diplomatic Service f rom 1999 to 2023. He served at the British Embassy in Moscow f rom July 2014 to February 2019, witnessing the collapse in UK-Russia relations that preceded the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
WEEK 7 Thursday 11 th June 20:30
In Conversation with
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.
Monday 15
th
WEEK 8 June 20:30
25
May
6 th
June Garden Party
12 th
June Boat Party
16 th
June Poker Night
26 th
June Drink the Bar Dry
Social Events
26
Movie Night
6 th
The Garden Party 6 th June
Garden Barbeque Specialty Drinks Games Outdoors Evening DJ
27
The Boat
Party
28
12th of June Tickets TBR
MOVIE NIGHT POKER
NIGHT 16TH JUNE
d rink the
Bar dry ! 26/ 06/ 2026
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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion At The DUS OUR COMMITMENTS 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:
Our Insta
‘Hi, I’m Robbie, your Equalities Officer! The Union is at its best when people from all walks of life feel confident to join in and share their views. Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just nice ideals - they’re what make our debates richer, more representative, and more relevant to the world we live in today. We’ve made real progress, but there’s still plenty more to do.’
Robbie Bono 3rd Year Economics St. Cuthberts
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To find out more:
See our EDI plan online or email: equalities@dus.org.uk
ACCESSABILITY 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@dus.org.uk.
Access the form here!
Welfare at the DUS Meet our Welfare ‘Hi, I'm Abi, your Welfare Officer. My role is to listen without judgement, help you navigate your options, and connect you with the right support, whether that's internal or beyond the Union. No concern is too minor to mention. Every week I host office hours, sessions where members are able to come in for a chat in person about anything that is affecting them. You can alternatively choose to use our Anonymous complaints form to submit a complaint or welfare concern. You can choose to include your contact details for a follow up, but it is at your discretion. Your submission is seen only by the Welfare Officer.
Officer:
Abi Rowland 2nd Year Politics and International Relations St Aidan’s To get in contact:
Welfare@dus.org.uk
Access the Anonymous Complaints form here!
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Our Alumni Opportunities Career workshops
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.
Mentorship Programme 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.
Join us on Linkedin
For more info:
contact our Alumni Officer at alumni@dus.org.uk
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DURHAM DEBATING Step Up to the Podium! Thinking of picking something new up this term? We’re here to welcome you!
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 Debate 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. In the run-up to the European Debating Championships, it’s all hands on deck. We look forward to welcoming you to our chilled summer debate sessions.
See you at training!
Follow us here for weekly room details
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MEET THE OFFICERS STANDING COMMITTEE
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Edward Tye Grey College
Molly Purcell Stephenson College
Oliver Cox Trevelyan College
Custodian Maria Hunt St Aidan’s College
Director of Debating Social Secretary Haya Chaudhri Josephine Butler
Equalities Officer Debating Treasurer Robbie Bono St Cuthbert’s
Publicity Officer
Magdalena Andreou David Pegler Trevelyan College St Aidan’s College
Louise Brown St Hild & St Bede
President-Elect Oliver Hughes Stephenson College
JUNIOR OFFICERS
Sponsorship Officer Alumni Officer
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Outreach Officer
Steward
Sean Smith South College
Vacant Not Applicable
Katherine Thompson India Jubb John Snow College University College
Tech Officer
Dep. Publicity
Dep. Tech
Assistant Custodian
Rimjhim Jayaswal (MJ) Tobias Gumm Stephenson College St Hild & St Bede
Yiya Zhang Grey College
Vatsa Dubey St Mary’s College
Assistant Secretary
Welfare Officer
President Emeritus
Daniel Anbinder Trevelyan College
Abi Rowland St Aidan’s College
Joshua Doherty Stephenson College
OFFICIALS
Returning Officer Adam McIntyre University College
Speakers Secretary Pia Comer University College
Dep. Speakers Returning Officer Secretary-Elect Jeremy Wang Francesca Greenhalgh University College St John’s College
First Hound Barnaby Tye
DEBATING OFFICERS
Debate Training Secretary Callum Hendry St Chad’s College
Competitions Officer Wali Sultan St Aidan’s College
Competitions Officer Divvesh Kumaravel Van Mildert College
Debate Equity Officer Juliette Fairhurst Josephine Butler
Debate Equity Officer Yulia Wolzcuk St Chad’s College
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Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Elin Suleymanov 20:30
1
2
Ilan Pappé 20:30
3
Exams Begin
Movie Night
4
5
6
36
7
Laila Cunningham 20:30
8
Helen Joyce 20:30
9
MMT Head-toHead 20:30
Debates
Speakers
Eduard Heger 20:30
Poker Night
Special Events
Thursday
Friday
Dan Bloom 20:30
Working Class Debate 20:30
Saturday
Sunday
Baroness Hale 18:30
Exams End Reformation Debate 20:30
Ian Proud 20:30
Boat Party 19:30
Garden Party 17:00
Finance Workshop
BBC Debate 20:30
Drink the Bar Dry 20:30
Socials
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Free Speech since 1842
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” Oscar Wilde