Friends old and new, I would like to extend to you the warmest welcome from the Durham Union Society. To those who have made attending our debates their weekly habit, those who only briefly brushed shoulders with Dominic Cummings or Mel B, and indeed those who are about to set foot in the Chamber for the first time, we invite you to join us.
Here you will step into the public forum. You will be a part of a community that seeks to explore and understand the ideas of the world and the people behind them. You will have the time to ponder, the chance to challenge, and the opportunity to engage in the cut and thrust of debates that dominate national discourse. This term, from Britain’s place in history, to resolution in Palestine, we hold the lightning rod of public debate.
You will join a thriving community: at the heart of the Bailey you will meet and share pints with many likeminded students. Debates spill over into a kaleidoscope of ideas, and a passing comment in the Reading Room could - and often does - stumble into friendships that last a lifetime. The social calendar is decked out for you.
This term, from our all-college debate, to the career workshops that pull you closer to your future, from the meandering scent of Casablanca to Neil Warnock’s backroom antics, the Durham Union lays well open to all of you. You are only here for a few years, too few not to join the Union.
JERRY LI HATFIELD COLLEGE PRESIDENT | MICHAELMAS 2024
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.
This House Believes This House Believes BRITAIN IS A VILLAIN OF BRITAIN IS A VILLAIN OF HISTORY HISTORY
TIM MOLLER
Tim Moller is a project curator at the British Museum, responsible for the documentation of the Sudanese Collection. He teaches modules in Ancient History and Classical Archaeology at the University of Oxford.
PROFESSOR TIMOTHY LUCKHURST
A senior journalist and former editor of The Scotsman, Professor Luckhurst is Principal of South College since 2019 and a long-time friend of the Union. He sits on the board of the anti-racist charity Don’t Divide Us.
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
DAVID STARKEY CBE
An acclaimed historian, author and broadcaster, Starkey is renowned for his expertise on Tudor England and British Constitutional History. He hosts David Starkey Talks on Youtube and often wades into controversy
NANA AKUA
Nana Akua is a journalist, commentator, and host on GB News. She often addresses issues relating to culture, identity and British society. She is the daughter of Ghanaian immigrants and grew up in the North East
STUDENT SPEAKER
Open to applications.
CLLR ROWAN REE
A Durham Union alumnus, Rowan is now a Vice President at the Japanese Investment Bank Mizuho as well as Labour Councillor and cabinet member for Finance and Reform in Fulham and Hammersmith Council.
STELLA TSANTEKIDOU
Allegedly ‘the Greekest accent in Westminster’, Stella is a political commentator and frequent challenger in GBNews newsrooms She is Head of Policy at the nonprofit Catch22.
ROBBIEBONO
Second-year economics student at St Cuthbert's Society, Robbie is on the executive of the 93% Club and the Economics Society. You'll often see him around campaigning for the Labour Party.
JOE HILL
A former President of the Durham Union (Michaelmas 2014), Joe now directs the Reform think tank (not to be confused with the political party) which focuses on transforming Britain’s public services.
CLLR JONATHAN ELMER
A County Councillor in the Division of Brandon, Co Durham, Elmer is the field organiser of the Green Party in the North East and National Spokesperson for the Party’s policy on the Natural World
JONATHAN SMITH
A third-year History student from Hatfield College, Jon is the current President of the Durham University Conservative and Unionist Association
SIR DOMINIC GRIEVE KC
Former Attorney General under Theresa May, Sir Dominic was MP for Beaconsfield and a leading advocate for Europe in the Conservative Party. He is a barrister and President of the Franco-British Society.
PAUL BRANNEN
Former Member of the European Parliament for the North East England region, Paul was elected to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. He holds an MBA from Durham
SARACETINJA
r law student at Trevelyan College, Sara has ctive member of Union committees and saw fill of post-Brexit chaos. She hopes more EU ould go into infrastructure in her native Croatia
BEN HABIB
A veteran Eurosceptic, Habib was Co-Deputy Leader of Reform UK and Member of European Parliament for the Brexit Party He is Chief Executive of the First Property Group and was previously a Conservative donor.
GRAHAM STRINGER MP
Labour MP for Blackley and Middleton South, Stringer was former Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office and former Leader of Manchester City Council. He co-led Labour Leave and supported Brexit
TOM HARWOOD
Deputy political editor of GB News, Harwood is a former President of the Durham Union (Epiphany 2017) He was national chair of Students for Britain at the time of the Referendum.
MEGAN MANSON
Campaigns Officer for the National Secular Society, Megan specialises in secular education and separation of religion from the state. She is a leading voice for secularism and freedom of religion in public policy.
DR JONATHAN CHAPLIN
A political theologian and lecturer at Cambridge, Dr Chaplin is the former director of the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics. He focuses on Christian political thought and the role of religion in public life
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
Queen
THE BISHOP OF BLACKBURN
Bishop of Blackburn since 2015, Dr Philip North is known for his Anglo-Catholicism and dedication to revitalising ministry in disadvantaged areas and the Church’s engagement with social inequality.
THE REVEREND FERGUS BUTLER-GALLIE
Vicar at St Mary’s Charlbury, Rev Fergus is a leading literary light of the new generation of Anglican clergy. His most recent book ‘Touching Cloth’ explores the experiences of a young priest in the 21st century
STUDENT SPEAKER
Open to applications
KHALED HASSAN
An expert on Islamist terrorism, Hassan is an EgyptianBritish National Security and Foreign Policy researcher. His research interests include propaganda, antisemitism in the Arab world, extremism and terrorism
DANIELLE-EVE LISA KAPLAN
An MSc (Criminology and Criminal Justice) student at Durham, Danielle conducted groundbreaking research alongside Stanford. She aids Jewish education and activism in and outside of her community
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
ABDULLAH AL-ANDALUSI
An intellectual activist and public speaker on Islam, alAndalusi is a researcher for the I3 Institute. He is head of the Department of Occidentology at The Quran Institute, and co-founder of The Muslim Debate Initiative.
MOHAB RAMADAN
Co-founder of Durham Israeli-Palestinian Resolution Society, Mohab is an Egyptian national and a recent graduate. He is a former member of the Palestine Encampment but was ejected for taking part in a debate
STUDENT SPEAKER
Open to applications
CLLR CHRIS NORTHWOOD
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Manchester City Council, Chris is vocal on transgender rights issues and mental health. She is also the author of The Full Stack Develop, a web development manual.
SPEAKER
To be confirmed
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
AMY GALLAGHER
A mental health nurse by profession, Amy resigned from the Tavistock Clinic and sued the NHS for institutionalised racism She was the Social Democratic Party’s nominee for Mayor of London.
JONATHAN GULLIS
Former Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, Gullis had been Minister of State for School Standards. A former teacher, he has been warning against the politicisation of the education system
STUDENT SPEAKER
Open to applications
DR MARTYN GLYNN
Dramatist and Poet, Dr Glynn is a Winston Churchill fellow Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Birmingham City University He has more than 40 years of experience working in criminal justice.
FOPE OLALEYE
Former NUS Black Students’ Office, Olaleye is a political educator and advocate of anti-racism and climate justice. She is also Campaign Coordinator at Operation Black Vote
DRCHRISTINAMOBLEY
Lecturer at Newcastle University, Mobley currently serves as the Decolonisng the Curriculum Coordinator for the School of History, Classics, & Archeology.
PROFESSOR IAN PACE
A top pianist, Professor Ian Paces currently Professor of Music, Culture and Society at City University, London. He has published extensively on Music theory, including chapters and monographs.. Executive Director at History Reclaimed, Professor Goldman taught History in Oxford for three decades, specialising on Victorian history. He won a court case over the removal of a 17th century monument in 2022
PROFESSOR LAWRENCE GOLDMAN
STUDENT
PROFESSOR ANDREW WALLACE-HADRILL
A scholar known to every Durham Classicist through his expert work on Augustan Rome, Professor WallaceHadrill is Director of Research at the Cambridge Faculty of Classics.
HENRY HOPWOOD-PHILLIPS
An Oxford Byzantinist who tweets under the sage guise of @byzantinepower, Henry is a senior political risk consultant at Mandeville and has contributed to the Asia Times, the Critic and IM-1776
STUDENTSPEAKER
Open to applications.
DR ERICA BEXLEY
A scion of the Durham Classics Department and Associate Professor of Latin Literature, Dr Bexley has been at Durham since 2017 and has published book chapters on Seneca’s tragedies, among other topics. Durham Law School graduate and one-time Van Mildert JCR President, Sheehan is now an X (formerly Twitter) bigwig who boasts 1.7M followers (slightly more than the Union) He is currently working on a book
SHEEHAN QUIRKE (@CULTURALTUTOR)
AYTANA ANGHEL
Second year Law student at St John’s College, Aytana hails from Dacia She recently surveyed the vanquished ruins of Carthage and Numidia with great satisfaction. She intends to bring Roman jurisprudence to the Union’s Rules Committee
The Sack of Rome by Visigoths in 410 | Joseph Noel Sylvestre | Musée Paul Valéry | Robert Farren | Trinity Hall
THIS HOUSE FEARS THE GHOSTS
DRESSFORTHEOCCASION!
DAVE SHOTTEN Host of
DEFENDANT: DONALD J. TRUMP*
CHARGE: THREATENING DEMOCRACY
JURY: MEMBERS OF THE UNION
A scintillating mock trial regarding the most topical political hypothetical in the world: WOULD AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
PERISH IF TRUMP RETURNS TO THE WHITE HOUSE?
Proudly in partnership with Mooting Society & Bar Society
*Unfortunately, Mr Trump will be unable to attend due to pressing commitments in the United States Pizza, fried chicken, corn cobs and bourbon will be served.
Join us to celebrate our rich heritage of debate as the Oxford Union hosts the prestigious Varsity Debate with Durham, Oxford, Cambridge, and The Sorbonne on the motion:
THIS HOUSE BELIEVES IGNORANCE IS BLISS
Our members are cordially invited to the Oxford Union for a joint debate and gathering with our peers from the other historic debating societies. Get ready to rise to the Oxford despatch box and shown them how it is done up North.
DRESS CODE: BLACK TIE | ARRANGE OWN TRANSPORT
NOVICE CUP
DEBATE FOR YOUR COLLEGE!
Gear up for some exciting debates as the colleges go head-to-head in the Novice Cup! The tournament is open to new talents of debating who have not had significant experience.
Draws & Workshop:
23rd October
The Debating Chamber 8pm
Round of 16:
3rd November
Mark Hillary Arts Centre
Collingwood College 2pm
Semifinals:
19th November
Quarterfinals: 10th November TBA 2pm
Under the Pemberton 8pm Final: 27th November The Debating Chamber 8.30pm
Cash Prize of £300 for winning!
Top debater will be eligible to speak in a debate of choice next term.
Demystifying the workings of SW1
For those are still - despite everythinginspired to pursue a career in government and politics, whether in Parliament, think tanks, communications, or beyond.
RUPERT TALFOURD-COOK
CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE FORMER
SECRETARY
OF STATE FOR DEFENCE
MAXWELL MARLOW DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, ADAM SMITH INSTITUTE
Sir Anthony is a renowned political historian who has written biographies for Prime Ministers from Sir John Major to Liz Truss. He is an honorary historical advisor to 10 Downing Street.
Seldon is an accomplished schoolmaster, having been headmaster of Wellington College, Brighton College, and most recently, Epsom College.
Tice is the Deputy Leader of Reform UK, a new political party that took 14% of the vote and 5 seats in the General Election. He has been elected as Member for Boston and Skegness.
A veteran political campaigner, Tice was an MEP for the Brexit Party and Co-Chair of leave.eu and Leave Means Leave during the 2016 referendum.
Dr. Coogan is an astrophysicist and UK astronaut and part of the European Space Agency. She read physics at University College under Professor Paula Chadwick, graduating in 2013.
Her research focuses on studied galaxy evolution with space-based telescopes and was selected to be an astronaut in 2022. She is currently undergoing training.
Sir John is a professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde and the country’s favourite pollster. He has featured on every BBC election coverage since 2005 and is astute as ever in this year’s election.
For those who are aspiring to elected office at the Union and beyond, Sir John is the expert on electoral behaviour. Might be able to lend a tip?
Sir Andrew is one of the most senior judges in the country. Having graduated from Collingwood in 1975, he is head of the Family Division.
He oversees cases dealing with personal human matters, such as divorce, children, probate and medical treatment. He is an authority on family law and has co-authored text books.
Warnock epitomises the English footballing tradition like no other. He has managed at every level from the National to the Premier League and has achieved a career record of eight promotions. His direct style of play and management have acquired a legendary reputation.
He is currently an advisor at Torquay United and frequent guest pundit.
Timothy is a two-times North Korean escapee who has been imprisoned four times in both China and North Korea.
Since escaping, he now speaks out for human rights and has spoken at the UN, in Parliament. He is the cosecretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea.
Saffron is a pioneer in simplifying regulation for financial institutions. Featuring on the Forbes 30 under 30 list, she is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on entrepreneurship, and a UN Net Zero Capital Fund Ambassador.
She was Vice-President of the Durham Law Society, and founded her first company while at Durham.
Hen Mazzig is a globally recognised author, speaker, and digital influencer. Over 100 million users have interacted with his online content.
He is an educator on Jews with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa and has appeared as an expert on Jewish issues across four continents, and in hundreds of universities.
Plaza has been appointed as Argentina’s new ambassador to the United Kingdom in May this year.
She was appointed by Javier Milei’s new government, as Argentina and Britain grapple over the Falklands War’s legacy. Argentina continues to seek closer commercial ties to the West after a break with BRICS this year.
FIXRtickets
Let us give you the tour of Durham’s numerous college
Let us give you the tour of Durham’s numerous college give you the tour of Durham’s college bars and iconic spots as you meet new people and get to bars and iconic spots as you meet new people and get to bars iconic you people get to know the DUS community! know the DUS community! DUS community!
OKTOBERFEST OKTOBERFEST
BEER, PRETZELS AND WÜRST BEER, PRETZELS AND WÜRST 12th October | 8:30pm 12th October | 8:30pm 12th October | 8:30pm Collingwood Bar Collingwood Bar Collingwood
9thOctober|8:30pm 9thOctober|8:30pm hBaileyCl b hBaileyClub 19th October | 7pm 19th October | 7pm 24 North Bailey Club 24 North Bailey Club
Curry night
Curry night Curry night
Alishaan Alishaan Alishaan
7 PM | 13thNovember |
For just £20, you'll enjoy poppadoms, a delicious curry, pilau rice, and naan - perfect for a flavourful evening with friends!
ESCAPE ROOM
1st December | 2pm
Escape Rooms Durham
For £15, you'll have the chance to crack codes, solve puzzles, and see if your team can escape in time.
DRESS CODE: UGLY CHRISTMAS JUMPERS +SECRET SANTA!
FIXRTICKETS
HAVE YOU BEEN HAVE YOU BEEN NAUGHTY OR NAUGHTY OR NICE THIS YEAR? NICE THIS YEAR? christmas christmas christmas social social
4th December | 8pm 24 North Bailey Club
23rd November
Week 1
(7.10-13.10)
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
Villain of History Debate
8:30pm
Tice Address
8:30pm
Puberty Blockers Debate 8:30pm
Decolonisation Debate
8:30pm
Intermediate Debate Practice
8:30–11:30PM
Sunday – Thursday 8:30PM–MIDNIGHT
Friday & Saturday Cometry
DURHAM DEBATING TRAINING TIMES
Intercollegiate debating will be run throughout the term.
Durham IV 23rd-24th November
Durham Schools Late March
But we won't be stopping there, we are striving to improve and always welcome your ideas and suggestions via the survey.
LIV DUNN WELFARE OFFICER
welfare@dus.org.uk
“With a society as large and diverse in opinion as ours, it is imperative that we ensure the wellbeing of members, regardless of whether they've attended one event or one hundred. I hope to foster a welcoming environment and provide a listening ear to anyone in need. Please do get in touch via email with any queries or concerns. I very much look forward to welcoming you to the Union!”
MILES WEEKES EQUALITIES OFFICER equalities@dus.org.uk
“We are committed to ensuring that the Union is a place where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinion. Representation is crucial to free and informed discussion and remains inseparable from our commitment to free speech.”
Getting Involved
There are many ways you can get involved in the Durham Union, and your contributions make the Society the melting pot for intellectual curiosity it is today. Organising our debates, addresses and socials each term is a huge task involving numerous elected officers and their committees.
Getting involved comes with lots of perks. Members of the General Committee earn points to live in our North Bailey Club's accommodation and can have their say on the future of the Society.
The committees support the work of officers and keeps the Society running. Being an elected member of a committee grants membership to the General Committee, which votes in elections and helps to set the direction of the Society.
To find out more, visit dus.org.uk/about-us/getting-involved
JERRY LI HATFIELD COLLEGE
president@dus.org.uk
&
BEDE
MILES WEEKES HATFIELD COLLEGE equalities@dus.org.uk
CHARLES ALDOUS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE social@dus.org.uk secretary@dus.org.uk
@dus.org.uk
Debate Training Secretary
VACANT TO BE ELECTED training@dus org uk
Speakers’ Secretary
OLIVER DAWSON TREVELYAN COLLEGE speakers@dus.org.uk
Assistant Secretary
BRENDAN ALMQVIST SOUTH COLLEGE
Alumni Officer alumni@dus.org.uk
Outreach Officer
ANGELA ORTIZ JIMENEZ GREY COLLEGE outreach@dus.org.uk
CALLUM OXLEY TREVELYAN COLLEGE assistant.custodian@dus.org.uk assistant.secretary@dus.org.uk
Dep. Publicity Officer
WILL LAWRENCE JOHN SNOW COLLEGE deputy.publicity@dus.org.uk
EMMA ZAOLI SOUTH COLLEGE equityandwelfare@dus.org.uk
President’sThanks
Thank you for reading the Union's Michaelmas 2024 Term Card. Michaelmas has always been a term of expectation. It is an immense undertaking which I had somewhat recklessly claimed. That the term is up and running with such excitement still acts on me like a pleasant shock, and I am immensely grateful for all the friends of the Society which have made a prospect so resplendent on the horizon.
My thanks first go out to Mr Oliver Dawson, who checks that every fanciful whim of mine is placed under the chokehold of unflinching fiscal responsibility, and Mr Oliver Lycett, whose nerves I am sure have been severely taxed by the prospect of my imminent gaffes. Without the unfailing work ethic, thoughtfulness and almost-saintlike patience from both of you, I do not know in what depth I would be finding myself. The Union is in some very safe hands indeed if you can keep it up in the remainder of your tenure.
As an old-timer, I will of course not forget the debt of gratitude I owe to the cohort just past. Mr Jordan Kiss is the first friend I met from Durham and the reason I am so helplessly stuck in this lovely society; Mr Mathew Brooker, whose acquaintance I made over two drunken Subways in Freshers’ Week, has set an impeccable precedent of statesmanship which I shall struggle to follow; Mr Aditya Sharma, on the other hand, must be thanked for his sound and discerning judgment; and Mr Theodore Stubbs for his generosity of spirit, as well as less potent beverages. The advice (often conflicting), wisdom (often hard truths) and support (always at hand) have been invaluable for these three years and counting.
I pay tribute to Miss Angela Ortiz Jimenez for a profound sense of humour, an indefatigable indeed verging on demonic vitality and the groundwork she laid as Secretary, we have her to thank for our brand new membership cards; to Mr Charles Aldous for his reliability, culinary skill and infectious warmth through the long years of our acquaintance: I trust that Mr Gunson would be proud; and to Miss Anna Beskhmelnitskaya for bearing with all my odd graphics ideas and carrying out the trailblazing Instagram strategy in relatively uncharted waters.
I am grateful for Mr Benjamin Daunter for constructive and perceptive criticisms and advice on making our 24s great again, as well as bearing the classicist banner in high places following my retirement. And Mr Krishan Sharma for Churchillian antics, iron discipline on House Committee and, of course, a discerning taste in the vino that saves us from barbarism and most hangovers. Mr Miles Weekes keeps me in line with the diktats of the laws of this universe, and I have him to thank to have so far steered clear of trouble. And of course, Mr Reece Short, who keeps me grounded and makes sure I do not accidentally bankrupt the place with delusions of grandeur.
For the array of wonderful events we are putting on this term, I thank Miss Aytana Anghel for summoning the ghosts of Brexit with her Transylvanian spell, Mr Ryan Wilmot-Simmons for polishing the church silvers alongside a newfound passionate affair with the Constitution, Mr Callum Oxley for helping us to stand up to rioters last term and sailing into the uncharted waters of an alumni strategy, for which he had trodden through more emails than any of us over the summer, Mr Alfie Baxter for the passion and commitment to academic rigour and freedom and Miss Sara Cetinja for sharing a delicious glass of Pelinkovac in the Roman vigil on the ashes and overgrowths of Singidunum.
Lastly, behind the scenes, goodness knows how much I owe to Mr Christopher Straughan’ s heroic rescue jobs and of course, Mr Samuel Cherny’ s interventions which I can only call, for want of a better phrase, sorcery - to this we owe the tremendous glow-up of our beloved 24s.
JERRY LI HATFIELD COLLEGE PRESIDENT - MICHAELMAS 2024
