Durham Union Michaelmas Term 2020

To all our returners and to freshers who are considering joining, I wish you a warm welcome to the Durham Union. In difficult times, Durham University’s oldest and largest society returns for Michaelmas Term as the hub of cross-college social life and intelligent conversation.

The Union has always offered a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and express opinions; over the years, we’ve had some fierce debates that put the Union ahead of its time. This term will be no exception, with debates on immigration, Zionism and whether we should all wear poppies, or go vegan. We kick off term with a discussion on the upcoming US election, so stay tuned to hear more.

We’ll also be able to hear from distinguished figures in this term’s address series – from such figures as Syrian exile Ribalal-Assad, to the BBC’s Samira Ahmed, to Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey, there’s something for everyone to come.

Members can also take offered by the Union, and the opportunity to travel the country (and the world) representing us in competitive debating.

The Union is not only for public debates on pressing issues, you can also take advantage of high-quality debate training from one of Europe’s strongest and most diverse competitive debate teams. We also look forward to hosting the InterVarsity (IV) tournament virtually.

We'll be running things slightly differently this term, with the opportunity to engage with speakers from all over the world through livestreaming, enabling us to truly bring an international perspective to the Union in addition

to speakers coming to Durham. As ever, Members are granted access to all events we deliver; although we won’t be running all events in the chamber in the traditional way, there will always be plenty of opportunity to contribute to events and ask your questions.

The Union is an integral part of the Durham experience, allowing Members to engage with diverse perspectives and develop as individuals far beyond their degrees allow. In an everchanging health situation, I hope the Union returns to life with the most enjoyable of terms: I look forward to seeing you participate in our upcoming events.

Michaelmas 2020 President: Tristan Pahl

THIS HOUSE ASKS

US Election: Which way for the World’s Only Superpower?

Friday 9th October 8:30pm, via livestream

OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS

Robert Rowland

Former Brexit Party MEP for South East England. Currently a Board Director for the Tickets for Troops Charity.

Ben Butterworth

Journalist, commentator and LGBT activist, Butterworth has written for numerous publications, and is a former editor of the i.

THIS HOUSE

Believes the Royal Family is No Longer Fit for Purpose Friday 16th October 8:30pm, via livestream

Peter Tatchell

Originally from Australia, Tatchell is a British human rights campaigner best known for his work with LGBT social movements.

Mickey Ambrose

Formerly a Chelsea FC footballer, Ambrose is now a social commentator, fundraiser, and Ambassador for the Royal Family.

Roya Nikkah

Nikkah is the Royal Correspondent for The Sunday Times, and was previously a Royal & Arts Correspondent for The Telegraph

THIS HOUSE Supports Amnesty for Illegal Migrants Friday 23rd October 8:30pm, via livestream

Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP

Former Shadow Minister for Immigration, Ribeiro-Addy has been the Labour MP for Streatham since the 2019 General Election.

Prof. Francis Davis

Professor of Religion, Community and Public Policy in the Department of Theology at the University of Birmingham.

Bobby Verkaik

Security & education writer and author of Posh Boys – How public schools ruin Britain.

Alp Mehmet

Former British Ambassador to Iceland and Chairman of Migration Watch UK.

Mary Dejevsky

Columnist on foreign affairs, who previously was The Independent’s Foreign Correspondent in Moscow, Paris & Washington DC.

THIS HOUSE Believes Zionism is a Worthy Cause Thursday 29th October 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green

Paul Charney

Chairman of the Zionist Federation UK & Ireland, and a former soldier of the Israel DefenseForces.

Natasha Hausdorff

Barrister and activist, who specialises in international law, foreign affairs, and national security policy.

Ghada Karmi

Palestinian doctor of medicine, author, academic, and media commentator on Palestinian & Middle East issues.

THIS HOUSE

Would Wear a Red Poppy Friday 6th November 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green

Colonel Richard Kemp CBE

Retired British Army Officer, who served in conflicts including Northern Ireland, The Gulf War, and Bosnia. He is now a security expert and social & political commentator.

Symon Hill

Christian activist, writer, and coordinator of the Peace Pledge Union, which manufactures white poppies.

Ted Harrison

Former BBC Correspondent and the author of Remembrance Today: Poppies, Grief and Heroism.

THIS HOUSE

Believes Capitalism can Solve the Climate Crisis Friday 13th November 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green

The Baroness Brown of Cambridge British engineer and crossbench Member of the House of Lords. The Baroness is also the Chair of the Carbon Trust.

Chris Barnard

Policy Director for the American Conservation Coalition, and President & Founder of the British Conservation Alliance.

Claire Farrell

Environmental activist who co-founded the environmental action group Extinction Rebellion

Prof. Patricia McCormack

Professor of Continental Philosophy at Anglia Ruskin University, specialising in identity, ethics and cultural studies.

Simon Hannah

Writer and political activist, who is active in Labour Party politics and trade unionism

THIS HOUSE

Believes Sir Keir Starmer Can Save the British Left Friday 20th November 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green

Dr. Majeet Ramgotra

Lecturer in Political Theory at SOAS and decolonisation activist

Aaron Bastani

Contributing Editor and Digital Officer at the left-wing alternative media group Novara Media, which he co-founded.

Ben Chacko

Editor of the left-wing daily newspaper The Morning Star.

THIS HOUSE

Would go Vegan Friday 27th November 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green

Adam Bedford Farmer and Regional Director of the National Farmers Union

Prof. Alice Stanton Associate Professor in Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics and Vice-Dean & Director of Intermediate Cycle at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Speakers to be determined

THIS HOUSE ASKS

Has the Red Wall been Broken?

Date to be determined

Time and locale to be determined

DehennaDavison

MP

Conservative Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland, who gained her seat during the 2019 General Election

Mary

Foy MP

Labour Member of Parliament for the City of Durham, who likewise gained her seat during the 2019 General Election.

THIS HOUSE

Would Defund the BBC

Date to be determined

Time and locale to be determined

Calvin Robinson

Conservative political commentator who has written for numerous publications and made several TV appearances.

Speakers to be determined

Richard Tice

A British businessman and politician who has been chairman of the Brexit Party since 2019. Tice was previously the Brexit Party MEP for the East of England.

13th October

Sir Mark Sedwill

Senior civil servant and diplomat, recently appointed as Cabinet Secretary under Prime Minister Boris Johnson

15th October

Alan Sked

Professor Emeritus of International History at the London School of Economics and founder of the party now known as the UK Independence Party 21st October

Ribal al-Assad

Syrian exile and democracy activist, who is a cousin of the current President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar Al-Assad.

27th October

Daniel Lacalle

Economist, fund manager and expert on central bank activity. His address focuses on the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

9th November

Stephanie Yeboah

A body acceptance & positivity activist, social commentator, and fashion blogger 17th November

Lord Paul Boateng

Labour Party Lord who was the first Black Cabinet Minister as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He was subsequently British High Commissioner to South Africa.

24th November

Samira Ahmed

BBC Journalist and Broadcaster, Presenter of Radio 3, Radio 4, The World Tonight & the Proms

30th November

Adrian Noble

Theatre Director and former Artistic Director for & Chief Executive of the Royal Shakespeare Company

3rd December

Commonly known as '24s', the Durham Union's bar is one of our most cherished assets. No other student society at Durham can claim to have its own venue with a bar, beer garden, and events space.

With the restrictions in place due to Covid-19, we find ourselves unable to open this term. However, we remain resolute in preparing to open in Epiphany and provide some online entertainment to substitute our usual array of social events.

24s is a great social hub, usually holding the Union's free socials as well as the events run by the bar itself. We usually host pub quizzes, karaoke nights, and open mic nights which are the best on the Bailey. On some special occasions we also add themed cocktails to our already extensive cocktail and shooter menu.

With the latest opening times, some of the cheapest drinks, and the best bar in Durham, we can't wait to welcome you as soon as we are able to reopen!

Custodian: Alexander Buxton-Carda

Assistant Custodian: Grace Annandale

For those interested in debating, The Durham Union Society offers an exemplary debate program. Currently, Durham Debating manages three training sessions for novice, intermediate and advanced debaters. These sessions are overseen by an excellent team of dedicated and experienced debaters.

Durham competes at both a local level on the UK circuit and at the international level. In previous years Durham has sent teams to compete at Major competitions such as the European and World Championships. Over the previous year, Durham has had an impressive showing with many teams winning competitions or breaking to the finals. Recently, Durham A broke to the quarter finals at the European Championships!

Debate will be taking a new approach this term. Due to the current restrictions in place, training sessions will be held online through Zoom as well as most competitions. Socials will also be virtual for the time being, and we will be releasing more details regarding our socials on our Facebook page “Durham Union Debating”.

However, despite this, our team is dedicated to making sure that debating runs smoothly, and we are excited to start the incoming year! We can’t wait to see you!

Director of Debating: George Filippopoulos

With the biggest exec in the university, there’s a place for everyone and a role that each one of our members would be perfectly suited for. Don’t hesitate to come along to our elections after events and take your chance to be a part of running the largest and oldest student society in Durham!

President’s Committee

Aids the President and the President Elect in getting speakers to the Union and planning the whole term.

Secretary’s Committee

Consists of representatives from the University’s Colleges, who are elected in order to gather member’s feedback and distribute Union publicity to all members.

Debates Committee

Organises the debating workshops and internal competitions, helping to run three of the UK’s largest debating competitions: the IV, the School’s Competition and the Open.

House Committee

Responsible for taking care of the logistical operations that accompany each of our events

Rules Committee

Assist the Returning Officer in running free and fair elections to all Union positions, by scrutinising procedures. They also ensure the Union’s constitution is up-to-date and relevant.

Social Committee

Working with the Social Secretary, this committee helps organise the Unon’s social events, and is perfect for anyone interested in getting involved with the creative side of the Union.

Sponsorship Committee

In tandem with the Sponsorship Secretary, this committee encourages outside bodies to support the Union’s events.

Bar Committee

Anyone can join 24’s Bar Committee to air your views and have your say on how the best bar in Durham is run.

Treasurer Freddie Green

Sponsorship Secretary To be determined

Custodian Alexander Buxton-Carda

President Tristan Pahl

Secretary Ryan De’Vere

President-Elect James Wroe

Director of Debating George Filppopoulous

Social Secretary Lucy Jackson

Alumni Officer: Amy Mitchell

Assistant Custodian: Grace Annandale

Debate Competitions Secretary: Tara Jackson-Rigchung

Debate Training Secretary: Asha Symons

Speakers Secretary: Sophie Tice

Outreach Officer: Harry Troise

Publicity Officer: Elliott Boyd-Stringer

Returning Officer: Lucy Jackson

Technologies Officer: Ben Doerry

Foremostly, thanks must go to our dedicated permanent team I’ve worked very closely with: Alison, Sue and in particular Sharon, you are the bedrock of this society and your behind-the-scenes toils have enabled us to make the very best of an uncertain situation. Thanks must go to my campaign team that fought a hard battle to win this term. I hold Kristen Price and Tamara Celeste Herrington particularly responsible.

I have drawn from a wealth of knowledge from the ‘old guard’ who have helped me navigate the challenges posed by this term, especially Presidents Egglestone, Bayliss, Kuszynski and Gilmore.

The Michaelmas President’s Committee have been instrumental towards sorting the speakers and debates for this term. Special mentions to Chris for his connections, Matthew’s persistence to get high-profile speakers and Speakers Secretary Sophie’s cool ideas to keep us fresh.

Lucy, you have been an amazing Social Secretary, and have gone above and beyond; I’m sure our ball in Epiphany will reflect the best of the society. Tamara, your help on graphics this term has been unrivalled. Freddie, as our new Treasurer you have taken the role to greater proportions in setting a budget for our new proposals. Ryan, your efforts to promote the best of this society to freshers hasn’t gone unnoticed: you’ve done a stellar job.

Elliott, thank you for your work in putting together this document. Amy, putting together a strong network of alumni has been in the sights for years and is finally becoming reality thanks to you. Ben, you have proven an immense asset to the Union, sorting our tech where it really matters.

George, Asha, Tara, I can’t thank you enough for persevering with debate practice, and our competitions: this term’s debaters are certainly in for a treat.

Alex and Grace: without a doubt my favourite part of the Union is in safe hands. I have full confidence that 24s can re-open safely as soon as possible and I can’t wait to see what pub quizzes and karaoke nights we have in store.

James, I know you’ve been hard at work and I wish you the best of luck for your term.

I mean it when I say that the Union’s officer corps has never been stronger and more dedicated than in these tough times. The Union is 175 years old – it’s seen world wars, pandemics and economic crises. For those who’ve stuck by the Union, the fruits of our efforts in an exciting upcoming term will be the ultimate reward. I’m humbled to serve as President for Michaelmas 2020 and I look forward to seeing as many as possible in person.