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MICHAELMAS 2020
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MICHAELMAS 2020
Welcome This year, everything looks a little different. We return to Oxford emerging from a summer like no other: greeting our friends for the first time in months, readjusting to the city we love to hate, and adapting to a ‘new normal’ that feels more permanent every day. At a time when we’re asking the most basic questions about our future, where better to look for the answers than the Oxford Union. The Union was founded almost two centuries ago, in opposition to university authorities’ strict religious and political orthodoxies. Its very existence challenged received assumptions about what education meant. It was radical - revolutionary, even. But as a sixth Union Officer sits in Number 10, it would be foolish to pretend we remain the little guys. Our history has afforded us opportunities available almost nowhere else in the world; we have all the tools to drive the conversation, and the responsibility to get it right. Speaking in 1964, amid another decade of great upheaval, Malcolm X reminded the Union’s members of this challenge. He described a society that ‘had subtle, deceptive, deceitful methods to make the rest of the world think that it’s cleaning up its house, while at the same time, the same things are happening to us in 1964 that happened in 1954, 1924 and 1884.’ As the world reckons with structural racism and an ongoing climate crisis, and the failure of our financial and political systems to prevent it all,
Beatrice Barr President
this warning has been at the forefront of my mind. As it becomes our generation’s problem, it is our job to figure out how to clean up our house for good this time - or to ask the questions that will get us there. This term, we will take on these era-defining conversations: from Black British identity, to the future of the US. We will question Dr Fauci on America’s COVID-19 response, the CEO of YouTube on the impact of Big Tech on our political sphere, David Cameron on the legacy of his government. We will have conversations that matter - and some conversations that just lighten it all up. Of course, our events will look different this term. We are lucky to be able to reopen our Debating Chamber to a limited audience, as well as our wonderful bar and library. For those of you watching from home, our online events programme allows you to join the conversation without leaving your bedroom. I’ve always been sceptical of grand notions of changing the world. But when everything around us is so uncertain, I hope the Union will give you somewhere to start.
Beatrice Barr St Peter’s College
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Librarian In the past year, we have seen the world change at an astounding pace; we are weathering a strange and overwhelming season. And yet, as our dayto-day routines are put to question, so too are the decades-old power structures that have amplified the established voices of the past. This term we have prioritised speakers who don’t just matter because of their fame or social status, but rather who help us to make sense of the world and the way things ought to be. Our committee has worked to bring you speakers who are shaping not only our present but our future – people like Dr Anthony Fauci, Cecile Richards, and Nathan Law. Our debates this term seek to answer some of the most pressing questions of our generation, allowing us to reflect on and challenge the paths we are taking. As well as working on your termcard, I am here to ensure the Union’s library is ready for all of its members during this exceptional period. We aim for the Old Library to be open and compliant with social distancing rules, and we’ll have a booking system to ensure our members’ safety. Make sure to keep an eye on the Union’s Facebook and Twitter pages for updates!
Treasurer To new students and returning members alike, a big welcome to Michaelmas Term. I hope you have all had a well-deserved relaxing vacation, and are ready for an exciting term ahead at the Oxford Union. Over the summer our Sponsorship Team has been hard at work, ensuring we maintain the Union’s finances through partnerships both old and new. We are dedicated to ensuring all members get the best value for their membership and that we continue to secure distinguished speakers and debate lineups. You will find this term’s Treasurer’s Treats on page 68: special discounts and deals available to all our members, across a range of Oxford’s shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars! In particular, I invite you to join us for our weekly Thursday night debates, where we will confront questions from whether there exists a future for the free press, to the notion of British identity, to confidence in the government. In addition to voting, I encourage all members to have their say - with exciting prizes up for offer!
Whether you’re new to Oxford, or one of our seasoned members, I hope you’ll find something in this termcard that changes your mind. If you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to contact me.
If you are interested in the Union’s finances, you can attend our weekly Finance Committee meetings or can apply to be part of the organisational structure of the Union. I hope to see you all around this term, and if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to email me; my virtual door is always open!
Julia Willemyns Merton College librarian@oxford-union.org
Geneva Roy Brasenose College treasurer@oxford-union.org
Secretary Hey all! I wish you a warm welcome back to your Oxford Union - albeit in an unusual context! I’m very proud to be the first Somali Officer of the Oxford Union and your Secretary for this term. The committee has worked hard across the summer to deliver a termcard that hopefully has something for everyone, and I can’t wait to see as thriving a Union as possible this Michaelmas. It was a pleasure for me to put together the Black History Month debate, shining a greater light on even more conversations that matter – especially in such a significant month. In addition to this, I am excited to have helped deliver a termcard that champions discussions ranging from systemic change to ‘selling out’. Being Secretary involves a combination of minuting our meetings and hopefully organising socials - at which I look forward to seeing you later in term! Chairing the Bar Strategy Committee is another duty of mine, so please do get in touch with me if you are interested in getting involved. Do give me a wave (from two metres away) if you see me around the buildings. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
Adam Roble St Edmund Hall secretary@oxford-union.org
DEBATES 4
SPECIAL EVENTS
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SPEAKERS 30
INFORMATION 66
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D E BAT ES
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MICHAELMAS 2020
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D E B AT E S
Contents No Confidence
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Black History Month
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America 10 COVID-19 12 The City
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Revolution 16 Press 18 Class & Labour
For nearly two centuries, the Oxford Union has served as a platform for the continued exchange of ideas. Today, this takes place primarily through our world famous Thursday night debates. These events showcase arguments from leading figures and give members the chance to have their voices heard. This term, despite all that is going on in the world, we continue this tradition: from COVID-19, to Black History Month, to press freedom. We will adapt to the extraordinary times we find ourselves in, holding most debates in the chamber in line with government guidelines, as well as introducing a new livestreaming service. Capacity is therefore limited, with seats booked in advance online - please keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for updates.
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Emergency Debate - 6:45 PM
Informal, student-only, debates, held before the main debate, focusing on a topical issue of the week.
Main Debate - 7:30 PM
The Union’s landmark event: featuring high-profile speakers from around the world, on the motions in the following pages. Please note the earlier time this term, in line with government guidance. You are invited to make your voice heard in all of these debates. Those watching from the chamber may give speeches from the floor, raise points of information, and vote at the end. Those watching from home are equally encouraged to take part by voting online.
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D E B AT E S
Thursday 15th October 19:30 This House Has No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government This year, our historic No Confidence debate takes place against a backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Facing mounting criticism from all sides of the political spectrum for its handling of the crisis, does the government deserve our support?
Proposition
Opposition Jonathan Reynolds MP Labour and Co-operative MP for Stalybridge and Hyde. He is the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Christopher Pincher MP Conservative MP for Tamworth. He currently serves as Minister of State for Housing.
Further Speakers To Be Announced
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D E B AT E S
Thursday 22nd October 19:30 This House Is Not Proud To Be British Black History Month Debate This Black History Month follows a summer of reckoning with racist and colonial histories by nations and institutions alike. Is it possible to fight racism in all its forms, while taking pride in being British?
Proposition
Opposition Femi Nylander Activist, prominent in Oxford causes including Rhodes Must Fall and racial profiling by Oxford colleges.
Helen Grant MP Conservative MP for Maidstone and The Weald. She was the first black woman of mixed heritage to be elected as a Conservative MP.
Arike Oke Managing Director of the Black Cultural Archives, a national heritage centre dedicated to the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain.
Dawn Butler MP Labour MP for Brent Central. She served as Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities in Jeremy Corbyn’s Shadow Cabinet.
Magid Magid Somali-British activist, writer, and politician. He previously served as Lord Mayor of Sheffield and Green Party MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber.
Lord Dr Michael Hastings CBE Former Global Head of Corporate Citizenship for KPMG and Head of Public Affairs at the BBC. He sits as an independent peer in the House of Lords.
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Thursday 29th October 19:30
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D E B AT E S
ONLINE
This House Believes America Is A Failed State As the presidential election approaches, America’s democratic failings are in the spotlight. Is a change of leadership enough, or is America broken?
Proposition
Opposition Prof. Gary Gerstle American historian and academic, serving as Paul Mellon Professor of American History at the University of Cambridge.
Dr Leslie Vinjamuri Director of the US and the Americas Programme and Dean of the Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs at Chatham House.
Prof. Kalwant Bhopal Professor of Education and Social Justice and Director of the Centre for Research in Race & Education at the University of Birmingham.
Sarah Elliott Chairperson of Republicans Overseas UK. She previously worked with the Republican National Committee.
Emily Tamkin US Editor of the New Statesman. She is the author of The Influence of Soros, published in July 2020.
TBC
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D E B AT E S
Thursday 5th November 19:30 This House Believes The Scientists Have Let The Public Down We enter the winter uncertain as ever about if, how, and when the pandemic will end. Are politicians right to continue to blame scientific advice to combat the virus, or are scientists scapegoats for political failures?
Proposition
Opposition Richard Horton Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals. He has been a vocal critic of the British government’s response to the pandemic.
Magdalena Skipper Geneticist and Editorin-Chief of the scientific journal Nature, one of the world’s most prestigious academic journals.
Prof. John Dupre Philosopher of science and Director of Egenis, the Centre for the Study of Life Sciences at the University of Exeter.
Sir David King UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor from 2000 to 2007. He chairs the Independent SAGE group of scientists, which has criticised the government response to the pandemic.
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Thursday 12th November 19:30 This House Would Sell Out “Are you law, consulting, or finance?” Every year, bright students ‘sell out’ to the City. Can the corporate world be a force for good, is the very notion of selling out an elitist one, or must we choose between money and morals?
Proposition
Opposition Jonathan Ruffer Philanthropist and former stockbroker, who has invested £200 million to revitalise the town of Bishop Auckland.
Emma Slade Former financial analyst who left the City for Bhutan, becoming the first and only Western woman to be ordained a Buddhist monk.
Sharon Blackman Managing Director & General Counsel at Citibank. She chairs the Citi EMEA Pro Bono Committee.
Dave Erasmus Social entrepreneur and founder of the online fundraising platform Givey. He is currently working on Corcovado, a collaborative global community.
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Thursday 19th November 19:30 This House Believes The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master’s House As the world confronts the failures of our institutions - from the police, to prisons, to financial systems - Audre Lorde’s words capture the spirit of 2020. Can the system be reformed, or must it be destroyed?
Proposition
Opposition Baroness Natalie Bennett Leader of the Green Party from 2012 to 2016. She received a peerage in the 2019 Resignation Honours.
Peter Tatchell Veteran campaigner, known for his work for LGBTQ+ rights. His activism has spanned human rights causes around the world over several decades.
Darren Hughes Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society and former New Zealand Labour Party MP.
TBC
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Thursday 26th November 19:30 This House Believes There Is No Future For The Free Press From Hong Kong, to the White House, to the BBC, threats to press freedom loom worldwide. Between fake news, financial limitations, and publishing monopolies, has press freedom passed the point of no return?
Proposition
TBC
Opposition James Ball Journalist and author. He has written for The Guardian, WikiLeaks, and The Washington Post, and received numerous awards for his writing.
Mark Easton Home Editor of BBC News. He previously served as Social Affairs Editor at Channel 4 News and Political Editor at 5 News.
Renate Schroeder Director of the European Federation of Journalists, which represents over 300,000 journalists across the continent.
Will Hutton Academic and journalist who previously served as Editor-in-Chief of The Observer. Until this year he was Principal of Hertford College, Oxford. Christian Broughton Editor of The Independent since 2016, he previously served as the paper’s Digital Editor and helped launch Indy100.
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D E B AT E S
Thursday 3rd December 19:30 This House Believes The Labour Party Has Turned Its Back On The Working Class The Labour Party’s electoral hopes have long depended on the fragile alliance of socalled ‘Hampstead and Hull’. As the Party becomes more dominated by the London elite, and notions of class and identity change, is this founding coalition obsolete?
Proposition
Opposition Darren McGarvey Musician and social commentator, who performs under the stage name Loki. He received an Orwell Prize for his 2018 book, Poverty Safari.
Alison McGovern MP Labour MP for Wirral South. She serves as Chair of Progress, which represents the right of the Labour Party.
Yvette Wiliams MBE Co-founder and coordinator of Justice4Grenfell. She is a founding member of Operation Black Vote.
Prof. Cecile Wright Academic and Labour activist, currently serving as Vice-Chair of Momentum.
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Floor Prizes WEEK
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DEBATE
FIRST PRIZE
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No Confidence
Ede & Ravenscroft - £100 Voucher
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Black History Month
White Rabbit - Meal for Two
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America
N/A
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COVID-19
Burrows & Hare - £200 Voucher
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The City
Victors - Eat-at-Home Sushi Set valued at £50
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Revolution
Pho - £50 Voucher
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Press
Randolph - Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two
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Class & Labour
The Perch - Meal for Two
MICHAELMAS 2020
SECOND PRIZE
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D E B AT E S
EMERGENCY PRIZE Neds Noodle Box - £40 Voucher (Meal for Two)
Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)
Pizza Pilgrams - 2 x Free Pizza Voucher
iScream Gelateria - £10 Voucher
N/A
N/A
Mamma Mia Pizzeria Summertown - Meal for Two
Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)
Pizza Pilgrams - 2 x Free Pizza Voucher
Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - Free Hot Drink & Cake
Mamma Mia Pizzeria Summertown - Meal for Two
Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - Free Hot Drink & Cake
Neds Noodle Box - £40 Voucher (Meal for Two)
Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)
Pizza Pilgrams - 2 x Free Pizza Voucher
Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - Free Hot Drink & Cake
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Contents British South Asian Voices Panel
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LGBTQ+ Panel
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US Election Head to Head
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The Green New Deal Panel
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The Union has a proud history of serving as a forum for the discussions that matter. To that end, we have organised a range of special events in addition to our usual schedule of speakers and debates. This term, we are proud to present important conversations about our changing identities and the crises we face today. Special events include a head to head debate on polling in the upcoming US election and a panel on the future of the Green New Deal, one of the most discussed policy proposals of our time. A panel discussion will take place discussing the British South Asian experience, exploring how culture and religion impact our identities. We will also discuss what boundaries remain for the British LGBTQ+ community. We hope you enjoy our special events, and that they will help challenge your conceptions and open your mind to new experiences, perspectives, and ideas.
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W E D N E S D AY, 2 1 ST O C T, 2 0 : 0 0
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British South Asian Voices: Overcoming ‘The Good Immigrant’ The unique British South Asian experience is lauded throughout British popular culture in series such as Goodness Gracious Me and films including Bend it Like Beckham. Yet behind these caricatures lies a darker reality that immigrants, regardless of generation, continue to be targeted with a pervasive sense of ‘otherness’. While some groups, such as British Indians, are often hailed as the ‘model minority’ on account of their contribution to the country, others are ostracised for their alleged failure to assimilate. On an individual level, a desire to maintain links to one’s heritage and to balance the British and Asian aspects in one’s identity can take its toll. How can one’s religion and culture interact with a fierce ‘Britishness’, without one undermining the other? Is it possible to overcome ‘The Good Immigrant’? Can the multicultural ideal be fulfilled?
Ahir Shah Stand-up comedian, nominated for Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2017 and 2018. He has featured in Have I Got News For You, Live At The Apollo, and The Mash Report.
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Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon CBE Journalist and broadcaster, known as an interfaith activist and contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day.
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown Journalist, author, and columnist. She is a well-known commentator on diversity issues, and a founding member of British Muslims for Secular Democracy.
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Breaking Boundaries: LGBTQ+ equality in modern Britain When the UK legalised same-sex marriage in 2013, many felt that the ‘final step’ towards LGBTQ+ equality had been achieved. Indeed, in the years since, most consider LGBTQ+ rights to have become a settled issue. Yet many argue that the goalposts have simply moved, as popular representation remains limited, conversion therapy persists, and trans people find themselves at the heart of a vicious culture war. At the same time, the Black Lives Matter movement has reminded the world of the importance of true intersectionality in civil rights movements. Amid all this, we are examining what boundaries LGBTQ+ people face in the UK today. Has equality been achieved? Or does this assumption overlook the experiences of the most marginalised members of the community?
Jamie Windust Non-binary writer, public speaker, and activist. Their debut book, In Their Shoes, will be published in October.
Kayza Rose Artistic director, filmmaker, and activist. She leads external events at UK Black Pride, and is the creator of Family Dinner.
Reeta Loi Activist, writer, and musician. She is the CEO of Gaysians, an organisation which brings together British Asian LGBTQ+ people.
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T U E S D AY, 3 R D N O V, 2 0 : 0 0
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US Election Head to Head: Who will win? In 2016, polls and pundits were widely criticised for failing to predict the victory of Donald Trump against Hillary Clinton. Among the handful to correctly predict a Trump victory were Lichtman and Norpoth. Both have each correctly predicted the outcome of the majority of presidential elections in recent history, yet, this year, they disagree. On the day of the US election, we bring them together to debate who will win.
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Prof. Helmut Norpoth Electoral behaviour expert and Professor of Political Science at Stony Brook University. His statistics-based Primary Model has correctly predicted five of the last six US presidential elections.
Prof. Allan Lichtman History Professor at American University and pollster responsible for developing the Thirteen Keys model, a question-based approach that has successfully predicted the winner of every presidential race since 1984.
Prediction - Donald Trump
Prediction - Joe Biden
MICHAELMAS 2020
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The Green New Deal: Reimagining a sustainable world Described by its supporters as ‘the only solution that matches the scale of our multiple crises’, the Green New Deal has become one of the most talked-about policy proposals of recent years. Initially introduced by Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Ed Markey in the USA, the legislation has garnered the support of progressives internationally, bringing together attempts to deal with the global climate crisis, income inequality, and democratic decline. As nations seek to rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic, support for the policy package has taken on a renewed urgency. Is it possible that the postCOVID world will provide nations with a unique opportunity to redesign a more sustainable economy? Or, will the economic slump caused by the global shutdown only be recovered with more aggressive production and capitalist endeavour?
Howie Hawkins Green Party nominee for the 2020 US presidential election. In 2010, he became the first politician to include the Green New Deal in an election platform during his New York gubernatorial campaign.
Hannah Martin Co-Executive Director of Green New Deal UK. She has previously organised with Greenpeace, the anti-fracking movement, and the Student Climate Network.
Gillian Caldwell Former CEO of Global Witness, strategic consultant on environmental issues and producer of documentary drama Citizen Koch.
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D E B AT E S
Contents 0TH WEEK
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1ST WEEK
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2ND WEEK
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3RD WEEK
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4TH WEEK
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5TH WEEK
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6TH WEEK
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7TH WEEK
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8TH WEEK
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Each term, the Union hosts influential speakers from a wide range of backgrounds and fields. These events are a chance to hear from - and question - some of the world’s most celebrated figures. This term, our speaker events will be split between online and our Debating Chamber. Please keep an eye on our social media channels, website, and weekly emails for details regarding registering to attend. Please note that additional speakers may be confirmed after the start of term and that our events are subject to change. We hope you will find something to interest and inspire you this term!
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Wednesday 7th October 20:00
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Sir Mark Sedwill Former Head of the Civil Service Sedwill is a British civil servant, who served as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service from 2018 to 2020. He stood down this summer, amid rumours of tension between the Cabinet Office and Number 10 surrounding COVID-19 and proposed Civil Service reforms. Originally a diplomat, he previously served as UK Ambassador to Afghanistan, and as Permanent Secretary at the Home Office.
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MICHAELMAS 2020
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SPEAKERS
ONLINE Friday 9th October 17:00
Amb. Dame Karen Pierce British Ambassador to the USA Dame Pierce is the current British Ambassador to the US, having previously served as British Ambassador to the UN. Her appointment earlier this year followed the resignation of Lord Kim Darroch, following the leak of diplomatic cables critical of the President. She joins us to discuss the future of UK-US relations post-Brexit, and the UK’s climate agenda.
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Monday 12th October 17:00
Amb. JoĂŁo Vale de Almeida EU Ambassador to the UK Vale de Almeida is a Portuguese diplomat, currently serving as EU Ambassador to the UK. The first to hold the newly-created post, he will be responsible for UK-EU relations after the conclusion of the Brexit process. He previously served as EU Ambassador to the UN, and as the first EU Ambassador to the US.
Monday 12th October 20:00
John Simpson CBE Veteran Broadcaster Simpson is a veteran foreign correspondent and BBC world affairs editor. Over the past five decades, he has reported from over 120 countries, including from Tiananmen Square in 1989, Belgrade in 1990, and Afghanistan in 2001 - famously entering disguised in a burka. He has received various accolades for his work, including a CBE, an International Emmy, and three BAFTAs.
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Tuesday 13th October 17:00
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SPEAKERS
Reeta Chakrabarti Journalist and BBC Newsreader Chakrabarti is a journalist and newsreader for BBC News. A BBC reporter since 1994, she is known for presenting the News at One, News at Six, News at Ten, and Weekend News. She is an Honorary Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford and University College, London, and will this year be inaugurated as Chancellor of York St John University.
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1 ST W EEK
ONLINE Wednesday 14th October 20:00
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Gloria Allred Leading Women’s Rights Attorney Allred is an American women’s rights attorney known for her high-profile and often controversial cases. She has become one of the most prominent civil rights lawyers in America, having represented various clients in suits against celebrities including R Kelly, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Cosby, and Donald Trump.
1 ST W EEK
Friday 16th October 17:00
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Alastair Campbell British Journalist and Political Strategist Campbell is a journalist and political aide, best known for his work in the New Labour government. Having served as Tony Blair’s spokesman and campaign director from 1994-1997, he joined Number 10 as Press Secretary and, later, as Director of Communications and Strategy. Since leaving government, he has emerged as one of the leading proponents of the People’s Vote campaign. A long-term advocate for mental health causes, he joins us on the publication of his latest book, Living Better.
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Monday 19th October 17:00
ONLINE
Chai Ling Tiananmen Square Protest Leader Chai is a Chinese psychologist, best known as a student leader of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Having led hunger strikes during the protests, in 1990, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She has since founded All Girls Allowed, an organisation formed to campaign against the One Child Policy, and Jenzabar, a software firm for higher education institutions.
Monday 19th October 20:00
ONLINE
Martin Lewis OBE MoneySavingExpert.com Lewis is an English financial journalist and television presenter, best known for his hugely popular website MoneySavingExpert.com. He has had columns in newspapers including The Yorkshire Post, The Sunday Times, and The Guardian, and frequently appears on current affairs shows to discuss personal finance. He has led multiple popular national campaigns, including on bank charges, energy bills, and student finance.
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SPEAKERS
ONLINE Tuesday 20th October 20:00
John Podesta Former White House Chief of Staff Podesta is an American political consultant, who has worked at the heart of US politics for over three decades. He served as Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton from 1998 to 2001, and as Counselor to President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2015. Since leaving the White House, he has served as chairman of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, during which time his personal emails were famously hacked and published by WikiLeaks.
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THE OXFORD UNION
Tuesday 20th October 17:00
Osi Umenyiora American Football Player Umenyiora is a sports pundit and former NFL player for the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons. A two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the sport’s only British players, he retired from the NFL in 2015, having made 435 tackles, 85 sacks, and 4 touchdowns. He has since joined the BBC as a pundit for the corporation’s growing international NFL coverage. He has received awards for his work in the media including the 2018 Sports Journalists’ Association British Sports Pundit of the Year Award.
Friday 23rd October 17:00
ONLINE
Ken Burns Documentary Maker Burns is an eminent American filmmaker, known for his historical documentary films. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, he has directed and produced numerous acclaimed documentaries, including The Civil War. His work has been honoured with awards including 16 Emmys, two Grammys, and two Oscar nominations, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
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3 R D W EEK
ONLINE Monday 26th October 20:00
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Dave Franco Actor and Director Franco is an American actor and director. From humble beginnings in Superbad, and his breakthrough in 21 Jump Street, Franco has become one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces - starring in Now You See Me, Nerve and The Disaster Artist. 2020 saw Franco’s directorial debut, with horror film The Rental, for which he received critical acclaim.
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Monday 26th October 17:00
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SPEAKERS
ONLINE
Prof. Leslie Thomas QC Barrister Taking the Road Less Travelled: my experience as a black man in a very white profession. Thomas is a barrister, best known as a specialist in cases involving death at the hands of police. Since being called to the bar in 1988, he has represented victims’ families in high-profile cases including the Hillsborough disaster and the death of Mark Duggan. He has received numerous awards for his work.
Tuesday 27th October 20:00
Scott Mills Radio 1 Presenter Mills is a Radio DJ, best known for his popular show, The Scott Mills Show, on BBC Radio 1. He is a regular on The Official Chart Show, as well as on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 5 Live. In addition to his radio work, he has taken on numerous acting and commentating roles across the BBC.
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THE OXFORD UNION
Wednesday 28th October 20:00
ONLINE
Frank Gardner OBE BBC Security Correspondent Gardner is a veteran journalist and current BBC Security Correspondent. He has previously served as the BBC’s Gulf Correspondent and Middle East correspondent, before shifting to specialise in stories covering the War on Terror. In 2004, he was shot 6 times at close range while on assignment in Saudi Arabia, an attack which left him severely wounded and dependent on a wheelchair. He is the author of three bestselling books on his experiences.
Friday 30th October 20:00
ONLINE
Andrew McCabe Former FBI Director McCabe is best known for his work as Deputy Director of the FBI from 2016 to 2018, and as Acting Director of the FBI in 2017, following James Comey’s dismissal from the post by President Trump. Since leaving the Agency, he has been the subject of numerous public attacks by the President, as well as a controversial FBI probe.
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Monday 2nd November 17:00
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ONLINE
General H. R. McMaster Former National Security Adviser McMaster is an American lieutenant general, who served as US National Security Advisor from 2017 to 2018, following a long career in the highest ranks of the US Army. He was forced out of the role in March 2018, following disagreement with President Trump and key advisors including Steve Bannon on issues including Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
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THE OXFORD UNION
Wednesday 4th November 17:00
ONLINE
Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson Team GB Paralympian and Presenter Baroness Grey-Thompson is one of the UK’s most successful sportswomen, and a television presenter. As a wheelchair racer she won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 golds, held over 30 world records and won the London Marathon six times between 1992 and 2002. Since 2010, Grey-Thompson has served as a Life Peer in the House of Lords sitting as a crossbencher.
Thursday 5th November 17:00
Robert Icke Director Icke is a writer and theatre director. He has received mass acclaim for his work, including the UK Theatre Awards Best Director prize for his adaptation of 1984, and an Olivier Award for Oresteia - becoming the award’s youngest ever recipient. He is best known for his adaptions of classic productions, giving them new life on a contemporary stage. Icke is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
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Wednesday 4th November 20:00
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SPEAKERS
Billy Bragg Singer Songwriter and Activist Bragg is a British musician and activist, known for his political songs and left-wing activism. Since rising to prominence in the 1980s, for his opposition to the Thatcher government and miner’s strike, his multidecade career has spawned 12 albums and numerous books. He continues to participate in activist causes both in the UK and internationally.
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Friday 6th November 20:00
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ONLINE
Dr Anthony Fauci White House COVID-19 Advisor Fauci is an American doctor and immunologist, known as one of the lead members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and one of the most prominent experts on the COVID-19 pandemic internationally. A leading expert on infectious disease, he has advised every US President since Ronald Reagan, and served as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984.
5 T H W EEK
Monday 9th November 17:00
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SPEAKERS
ONLINE
Carly Fiorina Former Republican Presidential Candidate Fiorina is an American businesswoman and political figure. The CEO of Hewlett-Packard between 1999 and 2005, she was an unsuccessful candidate for US Senate in 2010 and the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. Later the same year, she was announced as the vice-presidential running mate of Ted Cruz, before the suspension of his campaign. She is one of a number of prominent Republicans to endorse Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Monday 9th November 20:00
ONLINE
ONLINE
Prof. William Easterly Economist Easterly is a distinguished American economist, specialising in economic development. He currently serves as Professor of Economics at New York University, joint with Africa House, and as CoDirector of the New York University Development Research Institute. The author The Elusive Quest for Growth, The White Man’s Burden and The Tyranny of Experts, he holds several senior fellowships and serves as associate editor of the Journal of Economic Growth.
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5 T H W E EK
Tuesday Governor John Kasich th 10 November Former Republican Presidential Candidate 17:00
ONLINE
Kasich is an American politician, author, and TV news host. First elected to Congress in 1982, he later served as Governor of Ohio from 2011 to 2019, and unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for President in 2000 and 2016. He is one of a number of prominent Republicans to endorse Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, having declined to support Donald Trump in 2016.
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SPEAKERS
Wednesday 11th November 17:00
Daniel J. Jones Exposed CIA torture Jones is a former US Senate investigator, who joins us to discuss his role in leading the investigation into the CIA use of torture following the September 2001 attacks. He is the founder of Advance Democracy and The Penn Quarter Group, and was from 2017 to 2019 a Fellow at Harvard’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy. His investigative work was dramatised in the 2019 political drama, The Report, in which he was portrayed by Adam Driver.
Friday 13th November 20:00
ONLINE
Governor Chris Christie Former Governor of New Jersey Christie is an American politician, lobbyist, and political commentator, who served as Governor of New Jersey from 2011 to 2019. In 2016, he mounted an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, before endorsing Donald Trump and serving as head of the Trump transition planning team. He ranked among the least popular governors in the US during his second term, following the Fort Lee lane closure scandal (‘Bridgegate’).
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6 T H W E EK
Monday The Hon. Chief Justice th 16 November Geoffrey Ma 17:00 Senior Hong Kong Judge
ONLINE
Ma is the Chief Justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. Over the past two decades, he has held various positions in the High Court of Hong Kong, including Chief Judge and Justice of Appeal. A staunch advocate of judicial impartiality, he has criticised judges who have expressed political opinions during recent protest movements, and is considered one of the most respected defenders of human rights in Hong Kong. This interview will be pre-recorded, with questions submitted online. 54
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MICHAELMAS 2020
Monday Derrick Johnson th 16 November President of the NAACP 20:00
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SPEAKERS
ONLINE
Johnson is an American lawyer and activist, currently serving as President and CEO of the NAACP. He previously founded the Mississippi non-profit One Voice Inc. During Johnson’s tenure, the NAACP has launched a successful legal challenge to President Trump’s attempts to dismantle DACA, and began the campaign Stop Hate For Profit, a campaign bringing prominent corporations together to boycott Facebook advertising.
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Tuesday 17th November 19:00
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ONLINE
Alicia Garza Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Garza is an American civil rights activist and co-founder of the international Black Lives Matter movement. She is the current Director of Special Projects at the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and has written for outlets including The Guardian and The Nation. She joins us on the publication of her first book, The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart.
6 T H W EEK
Tuesday 17th November 17:00
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ONLINE
Cecile Richards Former President of Planned Parenthood Richards is an American abortion rights activist, who served as President of Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018. Since leaving Planned Parenthood, she has founded the political action group Supermajority, which aims to educate and mobilise female political activists and candidates for the 2020 US elections.
Wednesday 18th November 17:00
Carlo Cottarelli Economist Cottarelli is an Italian economist and a former director of the International Monetary Fund. At the IMF, he ran the Fiscal Affairs Department, providing advice in public finance matters to emerging and low-income economies. In 2018, he was designated caretaker Prime Minister of Italy, promising prudent fiscal management, but was ultimately unable to form a government.
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ONLINE Wednesday Rachael Denhollander th 18 November & Maggie Nichols 20:00 Former American gymnasts who brought down Larry Nassar
Denhollander and Nichols are American former gymnasts. Their allegations against Larry Nassar, the former USA gymnastics coach convicted of sexually assaulting young gymnasts, were instrumental in bringing about the USA gymnastics sexual abuse scandal and Nassar’s imprisonment. Earlier this year, their stories were the subject of Athlete A, a Netflix documentary charting the investigation into the scandal.
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Thursday 19th November 18:00
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ONLINE
Susan Wojcicki CEO of YouTube Wojcicki is an American businesswoman and current CEO of YouTube. A founding member of Google, she has worked at Youtube since its acquisition by Google in 2006, and as CEO since 2014. She is seen as one of the most influential people in Silicon Valley, and as one of the most powerful businesswomen in the USA.
Friday 20th November 17:00
ONLINE
Prof. Gita Gopinath Chief Economist at the IMF Gopinath is an Indian American economist, who has served as Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund since 2019. She is the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and of Economics at Harvard and the co-director of the International Finance and Macroeconomics program at the National Bureau of Economic Research, as well as holding several visiting scholarships and fellowships. In 2019, she was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman - the highest honour for a person of Indian origin - by the President of India. 59
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To Be Announced
7 T H W E EK
Mohamed Salah Egyptian Footballer Salah is an Egyptian footballer, currently playing for Liverpool and the Egyptian National Team. He is considered one of the best players in the world, and helped lead Liverpool to win the 2019 Champions League and 2019-20 Premier League, ending the side’s 30-year league title drought. He has won numerous individual titles, including the Premier League Golden Boot and PFA Players’ Player of the Year. Date to be confirmed pending fixtures.
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Monday Lt. Com. Pete Reed OBE rd 23 November Team GB and OUBC Rower 17:00
Reed is a British rower and three-time Olympic gold medallist, having earned gold medals in the men’s coxless four in 2008 and 2012, and the men’s eight in 2016. He is also the recipient of five gold medals and three silver medals at the rowing World Championships. Prior to his rowing career, he was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy. In 2019, he suffered a spinal injury which left him paralysed from the chest down.
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7 T H W E EK
Monday Michael Wolff rd 23 November American Author and Journalist 20:00
Wolff is an American author and journalist, whose 2018 book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, detailed the alleged dysfunctional and chaotic behaviour of US President Donald Trump. The book made headlines around the world, and was an immediate New York Times number one bestseller. Wolff is the author of six other books, and has received two National Magazine Awards and a Mirror Award.
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Tuesday 24th November 17:00
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SPEAKERS
ONLINE
Julián Castro Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Castro is a US politician and leading member of the Democratic Party. In 2019, he mounted an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for President, dropping out to endorse Senator Elizabeth Warren in early 2020. Prior to this, he served as Housing and Urban Development Secretary, and as Mayor of San Antonio, Texas.
Wednesday 25th November 17:00
Alex Cruz CEO of British Airways Cruz is a Spanish businessman and the current CEO and Chairman of British Airways. Having worked in the aviation industry for over three decades, he has established himself as one of the UK’s most influential business people. Cruz joins us as BA faces an uncertain future, confronting both the environmental impact of air travel while simultaneously handling the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to gravely impact one of Britain’s most recognisable companies.
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Monday Nathan Law th 30 November Hong Kong Democracy Activist 20:00
Law is a Hong Kong activist. A prominent student leader, he has served as Secretary General of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, and was one of the student leaders during the 79-day Umbrella Movement in 2014. The founder and former chairman of DemosistĹ?, he was elected as a legislator in 2016, before being disqualified from the Legislative Council by the Hong Kong government. He has been in self-exile in the United Kingdom since the enactment of the National Security Law in 2020.
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Tuesday 1st December 20:00
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SPEAKERS
Robert Peston Political Journalist Peston is a British journalist, currently serving as Political Editor of ITV News and host of the weekly political discussion show, Peston. He has received numerous awards for his reporting on the 2008 financial crisis, and has authored several books including WTF?, which charts the events leading up to the 2016 Brexit referendum.
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THE OXFORD UNION
Tuesday 1st December 17:00
ONLINE
Rafał Trzaskowski Mayor of Warsaw Trzaskowski is a Polish politician and current Mayor of Warsaw. He rose to international prominence in 2020 as the major opposition candidate for the Presidency of Poland, narrowly losing the election to the incumbent, Andrzej Duda, with 48.97% of the vote. His support for LGBTQ+ rights in Poland has received widespread international media attention and domestic controversy, becoming a central issue in the 2020 election. Prior to his political career, he worked as a political scientist specialising in European studies.
Wednesday 2nd December 17:00
ONLINE
The Hon. Mamata Banerjee Chief Minister of West Bengal Banerjee currently serves as the Chief Minister of West Bengal. The first woman to hold this office, she has also served twice as Minister of Railways, among numerous other cabinet positions. Having risen to prominence for her opposition to land acquisition policies, her success in the 2011 election in West Bengal marked the first defeat of the Communist Party of India in the region for 34 years. This interview will be pre-recorded, with questions submitted online. 66
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To Be Announced
The Rt. Hon. David Cameron Benazir Bhutto Memorial Lecture David Cameron served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016, leading Britain’s first Coalition Government in nearly 70 years and, at the 2015 General Election, forming the first majority Conservative Government in the UK for over two decades. Taking office during the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis, the Coalition Government reduced the deficit and revitalised the British economy through a wide-ranging and sometimes controversial programme of economic measures. His brand of socially and economically liberal conservatism is credited with modernising his party; under his leadership, same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales in 2013. His premiership is remembered for two historic referendums: on Scottish independence in 2014, and on EU membership in 2016. He resigned as Prime Minister in June 2016, following the nation’s vote to Leave. For security reasons, the date of this event will be announced closer to the time.
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Competitive Debating Debating at the Union isn’t reserved for Thursday nights. The Union’s competitive debating squad is one of the largest and most successful in the world. This year, an Oxford team won the World Universities Debating Championships, with one speaker claiming the Top Speaker prize and multiple teams qualifying for the semi-finals. Oxford Debating offers something for every level, from total novices to world champions, and will be taking place virtually this Michaelmas. For those new to debating, our Beginners Workshops run every Sunday evening over Zoom and are open to all members. These workshops consist of a presentation designed to target specific debating skills, and practice debates which are judged by some of Oxford’s most experienced and successful debaters. If you haven’t debated before, they’re the perfect place to start. For those with a bit more experience, our Intermediate and Advanced squads run every week also on Zoom; where our coaches provide a one-on-one development and strengthening programme.
We don’t just practice debating at Oxford; we also fully fund teams of both novices and experienced debaters to attend competitions nationally and internationally, many of which will still take place this term online. Finally, we host the Oxford IV, one of the largest debating competitions in Europe, the Oxford Wom*n’s and Gender Minorities’ Open, and organise a schools competition that takes place across the country. If you have any further questions, or want to sign up for workshops and squads, please contact the Chair of the Debate Selection Committee, Geneva Roy: cdsc@oxford-union.org. To sign up to the mailing list for regular updates - including information on weekly trainings and how to apply for tournaments - send a blank email to debate-announce-subscribe@maillist. ox.ac.uk, and take a look at the Oxford Debating Facebook Page and Oxford Debaters Facebook Group.
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Treasurer’s Treats Make the most of your membership with our exclusive offers - simply present your membership card at the establishment to take advantage. If you would like to suggest a new Treat, or experience any issues using the discounts listed, please contact the Treasurer, Geneva Roy, at treasurer@oxford-union.org. RESTAURANTS Alchemist Ask Italian
- 10% discount on food - 25% discount (Mon-Thu any time, Fri before 16:00) Bamboo - 10% discount Bella Italia - 30% discount (Mon-Wed) Benito’s - 20% discount (Sun-Fri) Cafe Rouge - 40% discount (a la carte menu only) Carluccio’s - 20% discount (excluding set menu) Cinnamon Kitchen - 30% discount (Sun-Thu) 2 classic cocktails for £10 (Sun-Thu) Cote Brasserie - Complimentary Kir Royale when dining Dirty Bones - 25% off food, £5 signature cocktails all day/night (Sun-Thur) Fusion House - 10% discount (over £20, cash only) Moshi - 15% discount (after 15:00) Neds Noodle Box - £8.25 Box & Drink (£7.30 Vegetarian Box & Drink) Pho - 15% discount off Food (2 people max) Pieminister - 10% discount Pizza Pilgrims - £10 pizza and a drink (Mon-Fri) Salt ‘n’ Sauce - 20% discount Shawa Lebanese Grill - 10% discount Taste of China - 10% discount (Mon-Fri 14:00-16:00) Thaikhun - 20% discount (Sun-Thu) Tommi’s Burger Joint - 25% discount Turl Street Kitchen - 15% discount (after 12:00) Victors - 20% discount (Sun-Fri) BARS Angels Be At One Duke of Cambridge Duke of Monmouth Jude The Obscure Raoul’s Royal Standard The House The Oxford Wine Cafe 70
- 20% discount - £5 Cocktails (Sun-Thu) - Oxford Union Cocktail Menu, Happy Hour prices (Sun–Thu) - 10% discount on purchases up to £20 - 10% discount on purchases up to £20 - 30% discount (16:00–20:00) - 10% discount on purchases up to £20 - Happy Hour available AT ALL TIMES - 10% discount
CAFÉS & DELICATESSENS Artisan Cafe Barefoot
- 10% discount - 15% off cakes & hot drinks (exc. Mon-Fri, 14:00-18:00) Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - 15% discount Fantastea - 20% discount Formosan Tea Bar - 10% discount iScream Gelateria - 10% discount Le Pain Quotidien - 10% discount Modern Art Oxford Cafe - 10% discount Moo-Moo’s - 10% discount Ole & Steen - 10% discount Opera Cafe - 5% discount Organic Deli - 15% discount Oxford Sandwich Company - 5% discount Paul - 20% discount Queen’s Lane Coffee House - 10% discount Rusty Bicycle - 10% discount Lunch (October only) Skogen Kitchen - 50% discount on any bun purchased with a hot drink (October only) Sofi de France - 15% discount, 20% if over £20 (excl Sat) Tick Tock Cafe - 10% discount Vaults & Garden Cafe - 10% discount (excl. 12:00–14:00), 20% food discount (Mon-Fri, after 14:00)) Western Cornwall Pasty - 20% discount SHOPS & OTHERS Burrows & Hare - 10% discount Ede & Ravenscroft - 15% off full price menswear and womenswear (excludes academic or legal dress) from now to the end of term in our Oxford branch Happy Cakes - 15% discount Popham Hairdressing - 15% discount with stylist, Monday-Friday Randolph - 15% discount on all food and soft drinks in our Morse Bar, restaurant, and afternoon tea room (Mon – Thurs) T M Lewin - 15% discount The Fragrance Shop - 10% discount The Oxford Wine Company - 10% discount Ultimate Picture Palace - 2 for 1 on Tuesday Western Computer Group - 10% discount on Mac, 5% discount on iPad WHSmith - 20% discount on books, stationery, cards
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Public Speaking Workshops Every term, we hold comprehensive public speaking workshops run by some of our most experienced debaters – this term, these will take place on Zoom. These workshops are designed to develop not only members’ debating ability, but a range of transferable skills - from constructing an argument to delivering a speech as effectively as possible. Most popular are our Wom*n’s Workshops, run by and open to all self-identifying female and non-binary members, and our ESL Workshops, for those who speak English as a second language. This term we will also be
running Post-Graduate Workshops, especially for our post-graduate members. These sessions are designed to be casual and accessible to those with no experience of public speaking or debating, and will be advertised by email and on our Oxford Debating Facebook page.
Library The Oxford Union Library is one of the best lending libraries in Oxford, as well as being home to world famous Pre-Raphaelite murals. While most of the Union’s rooms will be closed this term, the Library is a perfect place for quiet independent study. If you are interested in getting involved in the running of the Library, please contact the Librarian at librarian@oxford-union. org for information on joining the Library Committee, which meets at 2:15PM every Monday during term. This term, the Library will operate on a bookings system, with reduced opening
hours and twice-daily cleaning. Please keep an eye on the Library’s Twitter and Facebook accounts for further updates. Old Library term-time opening hours: Mon–Fri: 09:30-12:30 and 13:30-16:30 Weekends and Bank Holidays: Closed
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Members’ Bar
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There are few places in central Oxford that rival the Members’ Bar in terms of elegance and affordability. Members and their guests can enjoy high-quality food and drink with a 25% discount.
Decorated with memorabilia from past guests, the Members’ Bar is rich in Union history, and you never know which of this term’s guests will stop by for a drink and discussion during their visit!
The bar is typically open longer and later than most college bars and pubs, and the bar remains one of the largest bar spaces in central Oxford. It is where our pub quizzes are hosted during term and where the results of our debates are announced by the President.
If you have any questions or suggestions about the bar, feel free to get in touch with our House Manager, Bridget Gaughan, at housemanager@ oxford-union.org. Term-time opening hours : Monday to Saturday, 10:00-22:00 (due to government restrictions)
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How to get involved Run for Election Each term, elections are held for committee and Officer positions on Friday of 7th Week. Candidates who are successful in these elections assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates for the following term, and undertake a range of other responsibilities depending on their position. If you would like to run in this term’s election, please look out for further details, come to the How To Get Involved workshop held later in term, or contact the Returning Officer on ro@oxford-union.org. Apply for an Appointed Position A number of positions at the Union are appointed directly by the President, including Press, Sponsorship, Logistics, and Liberation Officers. All appointees assist over the vacation in inviting speakers and arranging debates. Applications for Hilary Term’s appointed committee will open towards the end of term and will be advertised on our Facebook page and mailing list. For more information, please contact the President-Elect, James Price, at president-elect@oxford-union.org
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Find Out More If you would like to learn more, we’ll be hosting a How To Get Involved workshop later in term covering everything you need to know about getting involved with the Union’s committees, appointed positions, and elected roles. Please do come along if you’re interested! Join a Committee All committee meetings are open to members to attend and observe. If you are interested in becoming a member of any of these committees, email the relevant committee chair and they will send you all the necessary information. Learn to Debate The Oxford Union offers training in competitive debating for a range of abilities. If you are interested in getting involved, get in touch with the CDSC, Geneva Roy, at cdsc@oxford-union.org.
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Committees Standing Committee Chair – Beatrice Barr, President The Standing Committee, the Union’s governing body, makes all the society’s most important decisions and recommends rules changes to the House. Monday, 16:00 Library Committee Chair – Julia Willemyns, Librarian The Library Committee is responsible for the Library’s overall management and decides which new books the Library purchases. Monday, 14:15 Consultative Committee Chair – Johnny Sturgeon, CCC The Consultative Committee gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the sitting officials of the Union and decides the motion for that week’s Emergency Debate. Monday, 13:15
Finance Committee Chair – Geneva Roy, Treasurer The Finance Committee scrutinises the Union’s finances and reports its findings to the Standing Committee. Monday, 15:30 Bar Strategy Committee Chair – Adam Roble, Secretary The Bar Strategy Committee oversees the management of the Bar, and makes decisions regarding its stocks, budgets, and furnishings. Contact the Secretary, Adam Roble, for details. Debate Selection Committee Chair – Geneva Roy, CDSC Debate Selection Committee manages the Union’s competitive debating wing: arranging training and competitions. Contact the CDSC, Geneva Roy, for details.
Access Officer Chair – Sahil Shah, Access Officer The Access Committee is responsible for promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups, by planning events and suggesting changes. Friday, 13:00
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The Oxford Union Committee
President Beatrice Barr St Peter’s
Librarian Julia Willemyns Merton
Treasurer Geneva Roy Brasenose
Secretary Adam Roble St Edmund’s Hall
President-Elect James Price Worcester
Librarian-Elect Chengkai Xie Brasenose
Treasurer-Elect Tamzin Lent St Peter’s
CCC Johnny Sturgeon New College
Standing Committee
Zeus Chen SBS
Molly Mantle St Hugh’s
Julia Hussain Queen’s
Josh Wallace Jesus
Adam Shewry Balliol
Viren Shetty Christ Church
Alex Warr St Anne’s
Secretary’s Committee Alana Brown SBS
Juan Davila St John’s
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Kesaia Toganivalu Magdalen
Priya Garg Somerville
June-Ho Chung St John’s
Parth Gosalia Christ Church
Lily Jiang Magdalen
Benedict Yorston Oliver Hardman Merton Keble
Joe Lawler Pembroke
Ben Goodrick Trinity
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Appointed Officials & Staff
Director of Sponsorship Shariz Aslam St Edmund Hall
Director of Press Arthur Tang Queen’s
Chief of Staff Mackenzie Mully Regent’s Park
Returning Officer CDSC
Sahil Shah Rachel Hart Michael-Akolade Ayodeji Aditya Dabral Laura Klüner Duarte Amaro Kit Newbold Laura McBride Eleanor Harris Shreya Rajani
Logistics Officers
Mihir Rajamane, Khaleed Adeduntan, Emily West, Andrew Chen, Ray Kenton, Rachel Lo, Anvee Bhutani Cailley Factor, Santiago Bedoya-Pardo, Aurora Guerrini, Antonio Pattori, Otto Barrow, Marley Robinson, Emily Peel
Sponsorship Officers
Janice Tang, Michael Hannides, Jemine Barrow, Jay Chitnavis, Dara Sanwal
Graphic Design
Maria Lambert, www.graphicsbymaria.co.uk
Staff Bursar House Manager Librarian-in-Charge Events Manager Accounts Manager
Director of Digital Operations Jack Chong Christ Church
James Matthews Geneva Roy
Access Officer (Senior) Access Officer (Junior) Disabilities Officer Ethnic Minorities Officer Graduate Officer International Officer LGBTQIA+ Officer Socioeconomic Officer Temporary Membership Officer Women’s Officer
Press Officers
Director of Operations Agata Hodur Brasenose
Trustees Lindsey Warne Bridget Gaughan Tom Corrick Joanne Billingham Rob Phillips
Stephen Dixon Hon. Peter Jay Sean Power, Senior Librarian Tim Myatt, Senior Treasurer
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President’s Thanks While I’m not sure how I’ll reflect on my two years in the Union, even I must admit that I’m surrounded by some of the most dedicated, impressive, and maybe even occasionally good people I suspect I’ll ever have the fortune of knowing. It’s down not to luck, but to them, that the ice hasn’t quite cracked yet. Thank you to the staff and Senior Officers. There would be no Union without you going far beyond the call of duty every day. To everyone who supported me in what feels like ancient history. ONE and my allfemaleofficerteam, for making some dreams come true. RISE, Together, and Imagine, for all the lessons learned. AWH, for your friendship from the start. ADS and LCW, for everything I try to forget. MO, for so much along the way. DB and JS, for keeping me (mostly) out of trouble. And, yes, SD and BM, for getting me here. To everyone who got me through this long, long vac. To my Officers, elects, and committee, for working another vac from your childhood bedrooms. AH, for your enthusiasm and commitment. GR, for your loyalty throughout, and your terrifying work ethic - even from the other side of the world. JM, for single-handedly weathering the latest chaos, for sticking around despite it, for listening to my endless complaints - I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. JS, for the flexible job description, for your astonishing dedication, for giving me your summer - this termcard is more yours than it is mine. And MJ, for everything we’re yet to process. Thank you for living it with me, for your support, for your friendship. The hardest part of this term has been learning to do it all without you. To all my friends in the ‘real world’. CU (you’re in this bit now), for being a better and more supportive friend than I ever deserve; and CN, I can’t wait for the year ahead. HCM, DT, IL, FW, AS, ST, and EH, for putting up with Union Stuff and the threat of Chaos Happening at any moment, for your support when I was never around. And AC, for letting me be a terrible friend, for telling me to ‘do it’ when ‘it’ was a bad idea, for always being there. Finally, to my family, for your love and support, and for making sacrifices I never warned you you’d have to make. If it was all worth it, it was because it gave me all of you.
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Events Subject to Change Without Notice
Term Planner Sunday
0
Debates
Monday
Special Events
Tuesday
W
Mark
th
1
Amb. João Vale de Almeida: 17:00 John Simpson: 20:00
st
2 3
OCT 18
4
OCT 25
Britis Pane
OCT 20
OCT 19
Frank
Scott Mills: 20:00
OCT 27
OCT 26
America Head to Head: 20:00
NOV 2
NOV 1
NOV 3 John Kasich: 17:00
Carly Fiorina: 17:00
NOV 9
NOV 8
NOV 15
GND
NOV 10 Cecile Richards: 17:00
Carlo
Derrick Johnson: 20:00
Alicia Garza: 19:00
Denh 20:0
NOV 16
Michael Wolff: 20:00
NOV 23
Nathan Law: 20:00
th
NOV 17
Alex
Julián Castro: 17:00
NOV 24 Rafał Trzaskowski: 17:00 Robert Peston: 20:00
NOV 29
Billy
Judge Geoffrey Ma: 17:00
Lt. Com. Pete Reed OBE: 17:00
NOV 22
Tann 17:00
Dani
William Easterly: 20:00
th
8
John Podesta: 20:00
General McMaster: 17:00
th
7
Martin Lewis: 20:00
LGBTQ+ Panel: 20:00
th
6
Osi Umenyiora: 17:00
Dave Franco: 20:00
th
5
Glori
OCT 13
Chai Ling: 17:00
Leslie Thomas QC: 17:00
rd
Reeta Chakrabarti: 17:00
OCT 12
OCT 11
nd
OCT 6
OCT 5
OCT 4
NOV 30
DEC 1
Mam
IP : IN PERSON
Speakers
Wednesday
Other
Thursday
Friday
k Sedwill: 20:00
Saturday
Amb. Karen Pierce: 17:00
ia Allred: 20:00
No Confidence Debate: 19:30
Black History Month Debate: 19:30
nk Gardner: 20:00
America Debate: 19:30
ni-Grey Thompson: 0
Robert Icke: 17:00
OCT 23
OCT 24
OCT 30
OCT 31
Anthony Fauci: 20:00
COVID Debate: 19:30
NOV 5
NOV 4
iel J. Jones: 17:00
OCT 17
Andrew McCabe: 20:00
OCT 29
OCT 28
OCT 16 Ken Burns: 17:00
OCT 22
OCT 21
OCT 10
Alastair Campbell: 17:00
OCT 15
OCT 14
ish South Asian Voices el: 20:00
OCT 9
OCT 8
OCT 7
y Bragg: 20:00
O : ONLINE
Sell Outs Debate: 19:30
NOV 6
NOV 7
Chris Christie: 20:00
D Panel: 20:00
NOV 11
o Cottarelli: 17:00
Susan Wojcicki: 18:00
hollander & Nichols: 00
Revolutions Debate: 19:30
x Cruz: 17:00
Press Debate: 19:30
NOV 18
NOV 25
mata Banerjee: 17:00
DEC 2
NOV 13
NOV 12
NOV 14
Professor Gita Gopinath: 17:00
NOV 19
NOV 20
NOV 21
NOV 27
NOV 28
DEC 4
DEC 5
ELECTION
NOV 26 Class & Labour Debate: 19:30
DEC 3
THE OXFORD UNION
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