TheDurhamUnionSocietyistheoldestandlargest independentstudentsocietyintheNorthEast. Establishedin1842,wehavebeenastapleofDurham lifealmostfromtheUniversity’sinception.
Weholdweeklydebatescontentiousissuesoftheday. Youcanhearargumentsfromleadingcommentatorson arangeoftopicsaswellasstanduptochallengethem. WearethebastionoffreeexpressioninDurham.
WealsoboastDurham’sgreatestbarat24NorthBailey Club,thehomeoftheUnion.Wehaveoneofthe cheapestpintpricesontheBaileyaswellaplentyoffree wineaftereachevent(theysaybythataloneyoumake backyourmembershipfee).
Epiphany Term 2025 at the Union is special. During this period, we can continue Michaelmas term’s successes and strengthen our friendships, despite the summatives and Billy B boredom!
This Epiphany will be unparalleled in its offering to Union members. For the first time, we are moving to different locations in Durham, expanding our reach and developing our reputation in the University community. To do this, we have a plethora of addresses and debates scheduled, which cover the most pressing issues of the day and bring experts up to Durham.
Starting in the Castle Great Hall, we will debate the success of the Labour Government, and we will finish assessing whether Britain should adopt a feminist foreign policy. The Union has a range of speakers from former heads of state to entrepreneurs, giving our events a unique and insightful perspective.
There is much more, though, to the Union than debati This term we have a ball, a dancing event, themed socials, and members’ drinks evenings, which will bolster our community spirit. Additionally, the Union’s groundbreaking alumni mentorship scheme aims to connect students and alumni with similar career interests. It will give undergraduate members access to the very best of the Union’s alumni, creating even better value for your membership and connections beyond Durham.
As a fresher, it was during Epiphany that I properly got involved as a College Secretary. We have over thirty committee positions open, so I encourage you to join and get involved. You will make friends for life. In the past two years, the Union has greatly expanded our offering to members, creating a society that offers social events, debates, and career mentorship. There is something for everyone. Welcome back to Durham, and I hope that you enjoy Epiphany at the Union. Carpe diem.
Our Friday night debates offer members the opportunity to hear from and question renowned speakers. Our guest speakers come from a variety of fields and speak on some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Our debates follow the traditional British Parliamentary (BP) System. There is a motion formatted as 'This House...' and there are two sides of the House, the Proposition, who are for the motion, and the Opposition, who are against it.
There are three speakers on each side. Each speaker delivers an 8-10 minute speech, with the first and last minute being protected time. Audience members may make points of information during unprotected time, make floor speeches or ask questions at the end.
Following the conclusion of the debate we first vote by acclamation. If this returns an unclear result, we then vote by division. Those voting in favour of the proposition exit through the ‘Ayes’ door and those voting in favour of the opposition exit through the ‘Noes’ door.
Any member who speaks during the debate earns an invitation to the Reading Room, located in 24 North Bailey Club, for our drinks reception with the speakers after the event.
This House Believes This House Believes THAT LABOUR HAS THAT LABOUR HAS ALREADY FAILED ALREADY FAILED
WILLIAM CLOUSTON
William Clouston is the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he advocates for democratic values, social justice, and economic reform Under his leadership, the SDP aims to ensure that all citizens have access to essential resources and fair representation in the UK Parliament
ED MCGUINNESS
McGuiness is a former British Army Officer and a veteran of Afghanistan He is a former Conservative parliamentary candidate for Surrey Heath He is a director of Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces
OLIVERDAWSON
Oliver is the Treasurer of the Durham Union Society. He is currently in his second-year reading Politics and International Relations.
JOHN SLINGER MP
SAMRUSHWORTHMP
Sam Rushworth is the Labour MP for Bishop Auckland since 2024, winning the seat from the Conservatives Previously, he has worked in international development and Durham University.
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications
Slinger is the Labour MP for Rugby and Councillor for New Bilton on Rugby Borough Council He holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Politics and a master’s degree in International Relations from Durham University. It’s Labour versus the Rest (1924) | The Labour Party
This House Would This House Would PRIORITISE DEFENCE PRIORITISE DEFENCE
JON WILKS CMG
Wilks is the former British Ambassador to Qatar, Iraq, Oman, and Yemen. He has also served as the UK Syria Envoy. Wilks is a former President of the Durham Union and studied natural sciences while at Durham University.
IAN LILES OBE
Liles is a retired Brigadier in the British Army, who served for thirty-seven years Liles spent fourteen of these in senior intelligence positions in Northern Ireland. Liles recently visited Israel and Gaza alongside senior politicians and military officers.
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
DEREK MOONEY
Mooney is an expert on Irish defence and a military advisor to previous Irish governments. Mooney has written extensively about the Irish Defence Forces and the political neglect of both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael towards it
ANGELELLIS
Angel is a 1st year law student from Hatfield college, and Speaker's Secretary-Elect for Easter Term He is also a proud member of the Tolkien Society and the Cat Society.
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
IAIN MARTIN
Martin is co-founder and editor of pro-market news site Reaction, and a writer for The Times He is a former editor of The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday and deputy editor of The Sunday Telegraph.
VISCOUNT CAMROSE
Viscount Camrose is a Conservative Peer in the House of Lords and is currently a Shadow Minister in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology He holds a degree in French and German from Durham University.
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
SIR EDWARD LEIGH MP
Leigh is the Conservative MP for Gainsborough, holding his seat since 1983, and the Father of the House of Commons.
Leigh has a reputation in Westminster as a “serial rebeller.” He is a former President of the Durham Union
GARETH BACON MP
Bacon is the Conservative MP for Orpington and is currently Shadow Minister for Transport and for London. He was previously a Member of the London Assembly and Leader of the Conservative Group for two years
BRENDANALMQVIST
A 3rd year Politics student from South College Brendan currently serves as President of the Durham University Conservative and Unionist Association and previously stood as a local council candidate for the Conservative Party
JOHN INGE
Inge recently stepped down from serving as the Bishop of Worcester, a position he had held since 2007 He also previously served as Lord High Almoner in the Royal Household. He holds a degree in Chemistry from Durham University.
NICHOLAS LEVISEUR
Leviseur is a specialist chancery and common law barrister at 3PB. He is also an assistant priest at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church in Kent and has previously written for the Catholic Herald.
OLIVIACLOUTING
Olivia is a final-year undergraduate in Hatfield College reading History
BISHOP OF CHICHESTER
Bishop of Chichester since 2012, Martin Warner is a traditionalist who has previously voted against the ordination of women as bishops in the Church of England. He has also opposed the blessing of same-sex marriages
JAMIE DRISCOLL
Driscoll served as the Mayor of North of Tyne between 2019 and 202. Initially elected as a Labour Mayor, Driscoll left the party in 2023 and came second as an independent in the 2024 election, behind the Labour candidate
PIACOMER
Pia is a first-year undergraduate in University College reading Philosophy and Theology
EVIE ASPINALL
Aspinall is the Director of the British Foreign Policy Group. Her primary interests are domestic consent for foreign policy and the challenges posed by the UK’s strategic rivals. She has previously worked at UN Women UK and the Future Leaders Network.
GRACE NEWMAN
Grace is a member of the Stemettes Futures youth board and a student ambassador for Extreme E. She is currently a student of Automotive Engineering at Loughborough University
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
BARONESS HAYTER
Baroness Hayter is a Labour and Co-Operative Party Peer in the House of Lords She previously acted as Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords She holds a degree in Social and Public Administration from Durham University.
VICKY PRYCE
Pryce is the former Joint Head of the Government Economic Service She is currently the Chief Economic Adviser at the CEBR. She authored “Women vs Capitalism,” which has previously been praised by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
FERNANDA ALCANTAR
Fernanda is a second-year undergraduate in St John’s College reading International Relations. She is also a member of the Union’s President’s Committee
Songsheet of 'The March of the Women' (1911) | Margaret Morris
The Union is proud to unveil the Alumni Mentorship Programm first-of-its-kind initiative that connects members with our distinguished alumni in the top echelons of their career fields.
Students are paired with an alumnus in their interested career field and can build a relationship, gain advice, and develop an understanding of their industry.
Interested in joining the programme? Keep an eye out for next years ’ applications or speak to the Alumni Officer to see if spots are still available!
Lord Bird is a social entrepreneur and the co-founder of The Big Issue magazine, which is sold by largely homeless or vulnerably housed street vendors.
After growing up in poverty and spending time in prison, Lord Bird became a highly successful businessman. His primary focus has been on giving disadvantaged people skills to succeed.
Lord Brady is the former MP for Altrincham and Sale West and chairman of the 1922 Committee, the parliamentary group of backbench Conservative MPs.
His autobiography Kingmaker: Secrets, Lies, and the Truth about Five Prime Ministers was the Sunday Times bestseller 2024.
Lord Johnson has served as the cochairman of the Conservative Party since 2024. Previously, he was a financier and cofounder of Somerset Capital Management. The event is kindly sponsored by the Guernsey Fi i l S i C mmission.
Kindly sponsored by
Dr. McAleese served as President of Ireland between 1997 and 2011, becoming the second woman to do so and first from Ulster. During her Presidency she addressed justice, social equality, anti-sectarianism, and building bridges with the Unionist community in Northern Ireland. She is a leading lawyer, academic, and advocate for LGBT rights.
Nelson was the editor of The Spectator from 2009 to 2024. He is respected across the political divide for transforming the magazine into a digital powerhouse and achieving record high print circulation. In 2013, he was named Political Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards. He has recently joined The Times as a columnist.
McVey is the current MP for Tatton, one of only three Conservative MPs in the north-west of England . She has previously held various Cabinet roles, including Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and “Minister for Common Sense.”
She unsuccessfully ran for Leader of the Conservatives in 2019. Prior to politics she hosted shows on the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4.
Dr. Zomlot is the Head of the Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom. He previously served as Palestinian Envoy to the United States during the first Trump Presidency. He is also an accomplished academic, having previously worked at Harvard University, the London School of Economics, and as an Economist at the United Nations.
9th march | 2:00pm
Top Gear Karting | £24 pp
Dress code: Mario SOCIAL St.Patrick’sDay
17TH MARCH
7:30pm | 24 North Bailey Club
