Lent Term 2021 | The Cambridge Union

CONTENTS President’s Welcome Page 5

Getting Involved Page 6

Debates Page 8

Speakers Page 28 Politics - page 30 Arts - page 40 Sport - page 50 Business - page 55 Science - page 59

Also This Term Page 63

Committees & Staff Page 65

President’s Thanks Page 69 Termcard by Keir Bradwell; cover by Katherine Connelly

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PRESIDENT'S WELCOME This is an unusual hello in that I am welcoming members and non-members alike. As in Easter 2020, all our events this term will be online and open to all: you don’t need Union membership to attend, ask questions, or get involved. It’s a difficult time for everyone and our number one aim is to offer something uplifting, which anyone can access from home. When this was trialled last Easter, tens of thousands of viewers watched our live events and this boosted the quality of engagement for everyone involved. This Lent, we’d like to recreate a similarly lively spirit and hopefully go further with plans to invite audience members onto the virtual stage to probe our speakers.

nor to the range of topics we can explore. Whether it is the threat of artificial intelligence or the problems of gender imbalance in Westminster, so much is up for discussion this term with a dedicated speaker’s series on all the major topics: arts, politics, business and science.

It might be a strange Lent for students in many respects, but we’re hoping we can still capture something of the usual term time buzz. As per tradition, we will be hosting a debate every Thursday night on some of the most important issues of the moment, from the US election to the anti-racism movement, from lockdown to the future of the British Union. There is something for everyone.

Bookworms will be drawn to ‘This House Believes Shakespeare is Much Ado About Nothing’, classicists to ‘This House Regrets the Fall of Rome’ and aspiring lawyers to ‘This House Believes Judges Make Better Law Than Politicians’. Each debate has a cracking line up of speakers in its own right, with a former No. 10 chief of staff, two supreme court judges, three award winning actors and an array of prominent politicians all prepped and ready to fight it out over Zoom.

Members, fear not, we are still committed to giving you the best possible value for your membership. Nothing beats hearing from celebrities in the flesh. For this reason, we’re postponing some of this termcard’s most famous speakers until we can reopen our chamber doors. Highlights to look forward to include events with ex-footballer and pundit Gary Neville, fashion icons Stella McCartney and Tom Ford, bestselling author Michael Morpurgo and (of course!) former Prime Minister Theresa May. There is even a live performance from the Royal Ballet in the pipeline.

Free exchange of ideas (as well as a bit of light entertainment!) is the basis of what the Union does, and we are determined to deliver this whenever and wherever. Some of the best speeches I’ve ever watched are made by you as members, so I encourage you to participate as much as you can - both in our debates and Q&As - and to help us make this term as dynamic as all the rest. Who knows, you might just give those A-listers a run for their money.

Thankfully, one doesn’t have to wait until normality resumes to get your celebrity fix, and this term’s open to all events are no less exciting. To give a flavour of what’s to come, we will be hearing from the broadcasting queen Clare Balding, Stephen Fry, the Body Coach Joe Wicks, comedian David Baddiel, former cabinet secretaries Amber Rudd and Rory Stewart, and business leaders Theo Paphitis and Claude Littner. There is more besides, and more to come. One of the perks of running online events is that we can be flexible and continue to add to this growing list. Additionally, there is no limit to the number of people who can tune in to our discussions,

Best wishes,

Freddie Fisk President, Lent 2021 5

Getting involved Accessing our events has never been simpler. We will circulate a YouTube link on Facebook and in our members emails a few days in advance of each livestream. No login information is required so all you need to do is click on the link at the time of an event and enjoy.

question is especially good, and we will give out prizes for the best contributions. Every Monday, we will be running auditions to participate in that week’s upcoming debate. Audition sign up forms will again be circulated on Facebook and via email so keep an eye out.

There are plenty of opportunities to get stuck in! You can ask our speakers questions in any of our virtual events via an online form which will be posted in the event description. There will even be an opportunity to join the Zoom call if we think the

We will have a raft of social events to participate in via Zoom which will be announced by the same means. Lastly, but by no means least, competitive debating and public speaking workshops will continue in their usual style online - see below!

C O M P E T I T I V E D E B AT I N G One of the most rewarding and enriching experiences that the Cambridge Union offers is the ability to get involved with Competitive Debating.

If you want to travel the world, gain employable and impressive skills or achievements, to take part in one of Cambridge’s largest charitable activities, or simply to meet some cool people, then we have something for you.

How do I get involved?

All news will come through either the Cambridge Debating Facebook group, or through our mailing list, so make sure you’ve signed up! In the short term, workshops will take place online, with the possibility of transitioning to in person events when the situation permits.

Workshops Beginners’ and Intermediates’ training will take place on Wednesdays, while Advanced Training will take place on Tuesdays, and will be advertised through the Cambridge Debating mailing list, as well as the Cambridge Debating Facebook group.

We will also advertise opportunities to get stuck into our charitable activities, so keep attuned for more news!

In the past five years, we have funded trips to Greece, South Africa, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Thailand, India, the United States, Thailand and more! However, if international travel isn’t up your alley, our workshops are still extremely useful, aiding and abetting your late night essay crisis, and your ability to talk your way through a supervision without much prior preparation.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve spent your secondary school years debating, or have never debated before - you need no prior experience to do well! We offer three different training streams, for beginners, intermediates, and advanced debaters, aimed at taking you from a novice to amongst the best debaters in the world - our expert coaches giving personalised and specific feedback to help you improve.

Find out more Please feel free to get in touch with us, either in person, over Facebook, or through emailing us at debating@cus.org! We are very keen to answer any and all questions that you might have, and can’t wait till we can meet you all!

Cary Godsal and Tamkeen Nawab Competitive Debating Officers 6

E Q UA L I T I E S AT T H E U N I O N ‘Equalities’ is a recently carved-out sector of the Union, exemplifying the importance our Society sees in diverse discussion and exploring perspectives that are traditionally underheard.

prior experience from school. Adapting to the online format, these will be delivered in fortnightly sessions throughout the term.

I would like to thank those in the Equalities Subcommittee who dedicated their time and perspectives to help organise these events.

Zara, Evie, Ellie, Alex and James - you have been marvellous to work with, and I look forward to seeing the hard work you’ve put into this term come to fruition!

We are delighted to bring to you events exploring arts, culture and business as well as those on politics and current affairs. From a personal standpoint, I’d like to particularly highlight the inaugural Shakespeare Debate taking place this term, the Women’s Forum welcoming leading practitioners in international commercial law, and the Royal Ballet event we have confirmed for Michaelmas - evenings ahead that promise real magic and excitement.

My very best wishes,

Lent Term moreover launches a bespoke Debate Training Programme for women and non-binary members, providing training in critical thinking, rhetoric and argumentation for those without

Kyoka Hadano Equalities Officer

W O M E N ' S D E B AT I N G W O R K S H O P S 7pm, Tuesdays, weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 Week 1 - 2nd February Introduction to Debating and Speech Structure Week 2 - 16th February Content and Argument Techniques Week 3 - 2nd March Argument Techniques continued Introduction to other Debating Techniques Week 4 - 16th March Weighing Points Mock Debate

The Union will be hosting a suite of public speaking workshops open to all self-identifying women. Aimed at complete beginners, this will provide a relaxed and friendly introduction to formulating strong arguments, structuring a speech effectively and contributing valuable analysis to a debate. These sessions, hosted by our Women’s Officers, will be held fortnightly throughout Lent Term.

Debating spaces can often feel intimidating or exclusive, especially with the presence of so many experienced participants at Cambridge. These workshops aim to provide a supportive environment that will allow self-identifying women to gain a foundation upon which to develop their public speaking skills, with no prior knowledge required. From this starting point, we hope that participants will be encouraged to engage in other opportunities provided by the Union, such as our Beginners Competitive Debating streams, and generally feel more confident and empowered in the art of argument and public speaking.

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DEBATES Our public debates are what make the Union so unique. They draw in the most prominent figures in public life, and see our members speak on equal terms with them. There is something about being in the chamber on Thursday nights for these events that cannot be recreated. Nevertheless, we believe it is our responsibility to facilitate conversation and dialogue for our members even when it is hard to do so. We are therefore delighted to bring you nine fantastic virtual debates this Lent term.

to that end we have collaborated extensively in putting together this termcard. I’d like to thank the Centre for Geopolitics, the African Caribbean Society, the China Forum, and the Law Society for their support these past few months.

Finally, I would like to thank those who gave so much of their time last term to help organise these debates. Herbie, Sophie, Kyoka, Thomas, Francois, Zara - I only wish you were going to be able to watch these events in person!

From a personal standpoint, I’d like to draw your attention in particular to our debates on China (18th February) and the future of the United Kingdom (25th February), which I think will make for excellent viewing. We want the Union to be a hub for the wider Cambridge community, and

Warmest wishes,

James Vitali Executive Officer 8

America 21st January, page 10

Lockdown 28th January, page 12

Liberalism 4th February, page 14

Classics 11th February, page 16

Geopolitics 18th February, page 18

United Kingdom 25th February, page 20

Shakespeare 11th March, page 22

Race 4th March, page 24

Law 18th March, page 26

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1 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES

THE Future is Looking Bright FOR THE U.S. 8:30pm, 21st January

On the day after Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States, The Cambridge Union will host its first debate of Lent term on the future of the American Republic. Is Biden’s election a decisive moment in US history, or does his election simply paper over deeper social and structural cracks? However much he can be credited with rekindling the language of hope, much remains to be seen about his ability to tackle climate change, racial inequality and democratic and constitutional failings. What about the future of the election weary two party system, or the declining vitality of democratic institutions like the Supreme Court?

Join us on the 21st January for what promises to be a fascinating event.

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PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Prof Andrew Preston is a professor of American History and Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, specialising in the history of US international relations.

He has published a number of books, including Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith: Religion in American War and Diplomacy, for which he recieved the Charles Taylor Prize.

Prof Sarah Churchwell is Chair in Public Understanding of the Humanities at the School of Advanced Studies, University of London. She is an expert in American literature, culture, and history across the long 20th century, and a regular contributor to the Talking Politics podcast.

Dr Leslie Vinjamuri is Director of the US and the Americas programme and Dean of the Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs at Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs. She is also Associate Professor in International Relations at SOAS University of London.

Dr Tom Nichols is professor of national security affairs at Harvard and the US Naval War College. He was previously a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Sarah Elliott is chair of the ‘Republicans Overseas’.

She served as a major gifts officer at Americans for Prosperity and as the manager of political research at the K Street Project. She is a veteran of many Republican campaigns, notably running the College Republican National Committee’s Pennsylvania team for Bush/Cheney in ’04.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

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2 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES

Lockdown Was a Mistake 8pm, 28th January

As our nation enters its third lockdown, having faced one of the most challenging years in a generation, we turn our attention to the efficacy of the government’s strategy for tackling the coronavirus pandemic. Public opinion still remains divided on the coronavirus legislation in the UK, but the government and its public health advisors also remain adamant that lockdowns were necessary to protect the National Health Service from overcapacity.

Was it worth the economic side effects, the infringement on personal liberty and a crisis of mental health? This debate will consider whether policymakers got the tradeoff right.

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PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Richard Tice is the current chairman of the Reform UK Party and CEO of the property asset management group Quidnet Capital LLP. Previously, he founded the pro-Brexit campaign groups Leave Means Leave, and Leave.EU. He is a vocal critic of the national lockdown.

Layla Moran is the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon and the Party’s Spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs and International Development. Prior to that, she was the Liberal Democrat Spokeswoman for Education. She is also currently the Chair of the All-Party Group on Coronavirus.

Sir Graham Brady is the MP for Altrincham and Sale West and has served as chairman of the 1922 committee since 2010.

Before that, he was the Conservative Party’s Shadow Minister for Europe whilst they were in Opposition.

Laura Spinney is a science journalist who has written for Nature, the National Geographic, The Economist, New Scientist, and The Guardian. She is the author of two novels, The Doctor and The Quick, and most recently, she published a book on the 1917 Spanish Influenza entitled Pale Rider.

Toby Young is a British journalist and the London Associate Editor at Quillette. He has written extensively for the Sun on Sunday, the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and the Spectator. Toby also established the Lockdown Sceptics Newsletter, which has been in circulation since the first national lockdown.

Phil Whitaker is a British novelist and physician. He undertook postgraduate training at the University of Oxford. He currently writes the New Statesman’s “Health Matters” column and is the author of a number of books, including his Chicken Unga Fever: Stories from the Medical Frontline.

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3 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES

Liberalism Has Failed Us 8pm, 4th February

Liberalism has provided the hegemonic framework for understanding politics since the end of the Second World War. However, in the wake of the Financial Crash, Brexit and the election of Donald Trump, its ideological presuppositions have come under attack from a wide array of politicians, academics and public figures. On the 4th February, we shall be debating the core liberal ideas, whether they have inspired more harm than good, and whether or not they can still provide the answers to the key social, economic and political challenges of the twenty-first century. Finally, this debate asks the question: if not liberalism than what?

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PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Nick Timothy is author of Remaking One Nation: The Future of Conservatism, and the former Joint Chief of Staff to Theresa May while she was Prime Minister.

Prior to that he was May’s Special Advisor in the Home Office, and was director of the New Schools Network from 2015 to 2017. He is currently a columnist for the Daily Telegraph.

Professor A. C. Grayling is a British philosopher, founder and Master of the New College of the Humanities, and a Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford.

Until 2011 he was Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck. He has written and edited over thirty books on philosophy and other subjects: including Democracy and its Crises.

Dr Jeanne Morefield is a Senior Lecturer in political theory at the University of Birmingham. She is the author of ‘Empires Without Imperialism’ and ‘Covenants Without Swords: Idealist Liberalism and the Spirit of Empire’. Her interests include 19th-20th century liberalism, democratic theory, and empire.

Bill Emmott is a British journalist and was editorin-chief of the Economist from 1993 to 2006. He is the author of some fourteen books and chairs a number of organisations, including the charity the Wake Up Foundation, the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Japan Society of the UK.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

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4 THIS HOUSE

Regrets the Fall of Rome 8pm, 11th February

The fall of Rome continues to capture the imagination of historians and classicists. Its causes and effects have been vociferously contested. Was Rome’s collapse caused by ‘barbarians at the gate’, ‘intuitional decline’, or something more eerily familiar? Some may regret the loss of Roman culture, learning and art that it precipitated, others may argue that Rome’s fall freed millions from barbarous rule, and let other civilisations flourish. It is this dichotomy which our debate will address. It remains important because while whatever we have learned from Rome we learned on their terms and in their language, it is a language we still speak today. We are therefore left wondering: is Rome our progenitor, an alien or our nemesis?

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PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Dr Daisy Dunn is an award-winning author, classicist and cultural critic. Her most recent books include ‘In The Shadow of Vesuvius: A Life of Pliny Of Gods’ and the Ladybird Expert book on Homer. Daisy has contributed to the BBC World Service, LBC, TalkRadio, among others, and recorded two short films for BBC Ideas in 2019.

Tom Holland is a Classicist and renowned author of both fiction and non-fiction. His many books include Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic and In the Shadow of the Sword: The Battle for Global Empire and the End of the Ancient World. Tom is also the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Making History.

Prof Bryan Ward-Perkins is a History Fellow at Trinity College, Oxford and the Chair of the Oxford Centre for Late Antiquity. In his much discussed book ‘The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization’, he challenges dominant assumptions that the Fall of Rome was both largely peaceful, and the start of a positive cultural transformation.

Walter Scheidel is a professor of ancient history at Stanford University. He is the world’s second most cited Roman historian in an active faculty position. Scheidel has published over 200 papers and reviews and five monographs, including Escape From Rome: The Failure of the Empire and the Road to Prosperity.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

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5 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES

China is More a Threat Than an Opportunity 8pm, 18th February

In collaboration with the Centre for Geopolitics based here in Cambridge, the Union will be debating arguably the key foreign policy question facing the UK: what should its stance be on China? Do we cede to financial pragmatism and seek to further integrate our economies, or do we push back in the name of liberty, democracy and human rights? For some time, the UK has lacked a coherent approach for engaging with the world’s rising superpower, but how it does so will be decisive for its place on the world stage and its future relationship with its allies in Europe and across the Atlantic. Join us on the 18th February to hear from an extremely impressive line-up of speakers on the foriegn policy question of the day.

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PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Tom Tugendhat is the MP for Tonbridge and Malling and a former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army. He is the Chairman of the Foreign Select Committee and of the recently formed China Research Group. He is also an alumnus of Gonville and Caius College, where he read for a Masters in Islamic Studies.

Richard Graham is the MP for Gloucester. Before that, he was a diplomat, working in Nairobi, Beijing and Macau. He was a Director of the charity Care for Children, which works with orphaned Chinese children, and is the current Chair of the All Party Parliamentary China Group.

Professor Kun-Chin Lin is the Former Director of the Centre for Geopolitics here in Cambridge, a University Lecturer in Politics and the Tun Suffian College Lecturer at Gonville & Caius College. His research, amongst other things, focuses on Chinese energy markets and geopolitics.

Professor Rana Mitter is Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China at the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University, Deutsche Bank Director of the Dickson Poon China Centre, and a Fellow and ViceMaster of St Cross College. Rana was also President of the Cambridge Union in Easter term 1991.

Tobias Ellwood is the MP for Bournemouth East and former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army. He is currently the Chair of the Defence Select Committee, and before that was a minister in both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence.

Harriet Moynihan is a senior research fellow in the International Law programme, where she leads the programme’s cyber work. Before joining Chatham House in 2015, Harriet was a legal adviser from 2002 at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where she advised on a wide range of public international law issues.

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6 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES

the Kingdom is No Longer United 8pm, 25th February

Relationships between the four nations of the United Kingdom are collectively more strained than they have been in a century.

The “Irish question” in trade deal negotiations with the EU has proved fractious, Welsh national sentiment appears to be on the rise, and our Lent term immediately precedes the Scottish elections in May, which could see more pledges made for Scottish independence. This is a vital time to be discussing the future of the United Kingdom; whether it will survive the next decade, or whether it will splinter beyond repair.

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PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Ian Blackford is the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber and the Leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party in Westminster.

Prior to entering politics, he had a 20 year career in finance which included stints at Natwest and Deutsche Bank.

Ian Murray is the MP for Edinburgh South and has served as the Shadow Secretary for Scotland since April last year.

He is a vocal opponent of Scottish independence, and was critical of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party.

David Melding is the MS for South Wales Central, and was the Deputy Presiding Office of the Senedd between 2011 and 2016. He has been a vocal critic of the Government’s recent approach to negotiations with the European Union. In September, he quit the shadow front bench in opposition to the Internal Market Bill.

Christine Jardine is the MP for Edinburgh West and the Liberal Democrat Spokeswoman for the Treasury, Trade and Exiting the European Union. Prior to this she was also the party’s spokeswoman for Justice, Home Affairs, and Women and Equalities. She currently sits on the Scottish Affairs Committee in Westminster.

Rt. Hon Simon Hughes is the former MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark and the former President and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. He served as Minister of State for Justice and Civil Liberties during the Coalition, and is now the Chancellor of London South Bank University.

Andrew Bowie is the MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine since 2017, when he unseated the incumbent Scottish Nationalist MP. A former officer in the Royal Navy and a PPS in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Andrew currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party.

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7 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES

Silence is Complicity 8pm, 4th March

Questions of racial inequalities were brought firmly back into the public consciousness last year, and as the oldest free-speech society in the world, it is right that the Union is debating this topic. A collaborative enterprise with Cambridge’s African Caribbean Society, this debate will look to add nuance and sensitivity to a conversation that is all too often reductive and binary. It will recognise the troubling reality of racism in the twenty-first century, but it will also seek to probe more deeply the diverse opinions that exist over how best to combat it.

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OPPOSITION

PROPOSITION Kehinde Andrews is Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University. His research focuses on resistance to racism and grassroots organisations.

His next book, ‘The New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World’ will be published in February 2021.

Sunder Katwala is Director of the think tank British Future. He was previously General Secretary of the Fabian Society from 2003 to 2011, a leader writer at the Observer, a research director of the Foreign Policy Centre and commissioning editor for politics and economics at the publisher Macmillan.

TBC This speaker will be confirmed in due course.

TBC This speaker will be confirmed in due course.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

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8 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES

THE HYPE AROUND SHAKESPEARE IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING 8pm, 11th March

Shakespeare is widely held to be the greatest literary genius England - and indeed the world - has produced, as well as constituting a fundamental component of the performance and research of English here at Cambridge. Over four centuries since his death, it is important to look back on this legacy and interrogate whether - and why - this should be the case. Join us to hear from leading figures in British theatre, arts and Shakespeare studies in what promises to be a fruitful and engaging choice of topic for Lent term’s culture debate.

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PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Ben Crystal is an English actor, author, and producer. He has co-written books on Shakespeare’s life and writing style with his father David Crystal.

Ben’s first solo book, ‘Shakespeare on Toast – Getting a Taste for the Bard’ was shortlisted for Educational Writer of the Year Award 2010.

Dame Marina Warner CBE is Professor of English and Creative Writing at Birkbeck, and the President of the Royal Society of Literature.

She was the winner of the 2015 Holberg Prize and gave the BBC’s Reith Lectures in 1994. Her recent works include ‘Inventory of a Life Mislaid’ and ‘Forms of Enchantment: Writing on Art and Artists’.

Prof Michael Dobson is Director of the Shakespeare Institute, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at the University of Birmingham, and an honorary governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company. His research interests focus on how Shakespeare’s work has inspired others.

Prof Kiernan Ryan is Emeritus Professor of English Literature at Murray Edwards, and a Fellow at the Shakespeare Institute.

An internationally renowned Shakespeare critic, he has written substantial publications on Shakespeare’s Tragedies and Shakespeare’s last plays.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

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9 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES

JUDGES Make Better Law than POLITICIANS 8pm, 18th March

Who decides what justice is? Are politicians ‘above the law’? Do judges merely interpret the law, or do they make it? Should judges be political or social activists? These are not simply technical constitutional questions, but topical dilemmas which have far reaching consequences for the way in which we are governed today. From Brexit to human rights, the prorogation to judicial review, the last two decades have witnessed growing tensions between the judiciary and parliament, all of which stem from disputes about these fundamental questions. Join us and some of the century’s most prominent lawyers on the 18th March for what promises to be a lively debate on who are lawmakers are and whether or not they are right.

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PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Freddie Fisk is the current President and former Treasurer of the Cambridge Union. He is a third year historian at Robinson College and will be studying for the GDL next year.

Lord Jonathan Sumption is a historian and former barrister who served as a Senior Supreme Court Judge between 2012 and 2018.

He delivered the 2019 BBC Reith Lectures on the subject of ‘Law and the Decline of Politics’.

Prof Jo Delahunty QC is one of the UK’s leading family barristers specialising in child protection law. She is also an Emeritus Professor of Law at Gresham College. In March 2019, Jo was given the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of her contribution to Law.

Prof Alison Young is a Fellow of Robinson College Cambridge and has been the Sir David Williams Professor of Public Law since 2018. She has written many books on public law and constitutional theory, including The UK Constitution After Miller: Brexit and Beyond.

Rt. Hon. Lord Neuberger QC is an English barrister and judge who served as President of the Supreme Court from 2012 to 2017. His background is in complex financial and commercial contractual disputes, property law and professional negligence.

Student speaker This could be you! Audition details can be found on page 6.

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speakers If debates make the Union unique, on the best days our speaker events let the Union enthral. There is a certain magic to watching a genuine celebrity walk through those chamber doors, to be face-to-face with someone who has shaped your life in ways they couldn’t comprehend.

for whom I’m immensely grateful. From our vaccine panel and Joe Wicks to Rory Stewart and the Arts series: our line-up includes the timely, and the timeless. And we’ve saved some of our very best events for future terms, to ensure you get the most from your membership - such as our two celebrity designers on pages 48-49, a surprise or two I’m not allowed to mention, and the speaker I might be most excited for: Dev Hynes, the musical polymath who will be performing live, at his request.

This term, of course, there will be no face-to-face events, or at least not for the foreseeable. So an unquestionable part of the Union’s magic is gone.

But moving online has its own benefits, and we have fiercely endeavoured to make the most of them.

In such turbulent times, I suppose it’s inevitable that a society which revolves around gathering hundreds of people in a room has had its original plans torn up. But I sincerely hope that what we’re running this term, in spite of the circumstances, might just recapture some of that lost Union magic.

An online term means, for instance, that our speaker line-up can be as broad in scope as we’ve made it, and that our events are accessible, live, worldwide.

To make this term as close to the norm as possible, we’ll be asking for questions from our members on Facebook before every event.

Best wishes,

I hope you’ll agree that the quality of speakers this term helps make up for it too, in large part thanks to the wonderful Michaelmas speakers committee,

Keir Bradwell Speakers Officer 28

Contents Politics

The Royal Ballet - page 46 Tom Ford - page 48

Howie Hawkins - page 31

Stella McCartney - page 49

Eliot Higgins - page 31

Sport

Holocaust Memorial panel - page 32 50:50 Parliament panel - page 33 Refugee Crisis panel - page 34

Joe Wicks - page 51

Civil Liberties panel - page 35

Gary Neville - page 52 Jean Todt - page 53

Amber Rudd & Craig Oliver - page 36

Cambridge Sport panel - page 54

H. R. McMaster & Brendan Simms - page 37 Theresa May - page 38

Business

Lionel Barber - page 38 Rory Stewart - page 39

Women & the Commercial World panel - page 56

Arts

Julian Metcalfe - page 57 Mohamed El-Erian - page 57

Rupert Goold - page 41

Theo Paphitis & Claude Littner - page 58

Mary Jean Chan - page 41

Science

Robert Icke - page 41 Diversity in the Arts panel - page 42 David Baddiel - page 43

Popular Science panel - page 60

Andre Aciman - page 44

Artificial Intelligence panel - page 61

Michael Morpurgo - page 44

Vaccine panel - page 62

Dev Hynes - page 45

Sir Paul Nurse - page 62

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POLITICS Lots will change in politics in 2021. This year has already witnessed the end of the transition period and the commencement of a new era in UK-EU relations. On the 20th January, it will also see the curtains close on the presidential term of Donald Trump.

Holyrood elections in the spring might make a second Scottish independence referendum even more likely.

At the same time, plenty won’t change. Political leaders across the world will still be confronted by the challenge of coronavirus; the plight of refugees will remain a most pressing global issue; and the fragility of the rules-based international order will continue to be a concern for all those who have so greatly benefited from it.

Our politics series will take a step back and try to examine many of these issues in the round. Amber Rudd and Craig Oliver will discuss how the UK actually came to vote to leave the European Union in 2016; H. R. McMaster will set out the foreign policy challenges facing the US in coming decades. Rory Stewart will discuss running for leadership of the Conservative Party, and how to keep the British Union together. And our panels - on the refugee crisis, equal representation, contemporary antisemitism, and the trade-offs of pandemic politics - will cover serious topics in the depth befitting of them.

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GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, 2020 U.S. ELECTION

HoWIE HAWKINS 7pm, 22nd January

ELIOT HIGGINS 7pm, 27th February Eliot Higgins is a pioneering citizen journalist, and the founder of Bellingcat. Through use of social media and opensource data, Bellingcat has made countless breakthroughs, including being the first to uncover the use of barrel and cluster bombs by the Syrian government. Most recently, Bellingcat went viral for publishing the transcript of a call between Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader, and an FSB member who had been involved in the attempt to kill him. Higgins’s book, We Are Bellingcat, is out this month.

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Holocaust MEMORIAL PANEL

In collaboration with:

7pm, 26th January To mark Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2021, this panel will focus on the British government’s responsibility to address contemporary antisemitism. Touching on the impact of social media and evaluating the enforceability and ethics of anti-hate legislation, this discussion aims to underline that the Holocaust and its legacy is not just a topic of history, but an issue of pressing social and political relevance.

Dame Margaret Hodge MP Dame Margaret Hodge is the Labour MP for Barking. She previously held the positions of Minister of State for the Department for Work and Pensions and Minister of State for Tourism and Culture. She has been an outspoken member of her party regarding antisemitism. Hodge’s parents were Jewish refugees.

Lord Eric Pickles Eric Pickles is a conservative peer who served as Chairman of the Conservative Party between 2009 and 2010 and Minister of State for Communities and Local Government between 2010 and 2015. He now serves as the UKs special envoy for Post-Holocaust issues.

Danny Stone Danny Stone is the Director of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, having led the organisation for a decade. He is also a trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day trust, and was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his work combating hate crime.

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In collaboration with:

50:50 Parliament 2:30pm, 6th February On the 103rd anniversary of women winning the right to vote in Britain, our cross-party 50:50 Parliament event will hear from women MPs and assembly members from the UK’s major political parties about how they got selected and elected, and who inspired them to stand. The event will be chaired by Jesus PhD student and cofounder of the #AskHerToStand campaign, Dolly Theis. As we look forward to local elections later this year, you can find out what it takes to stand as a candidate and what being an elected official involves.

Rosie Duffield MP Rosie Duffield is 50:50 Parliament’s first MP and has been MP for Canterbury since 2017.

Layla Moran MP Layla is Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs & International Development and has been MP for Oxford West and Abingdon since 2017.

Caroline Nokes MP Caroline Nokes is Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee and has been MP for Romsey and Southampton North since 2010.

Delyth Jewell AS/MS Delyth Jewell is Shadow Minister for Public Service Transformation, and is an Assembly Member for South Wales East.

Hannah Bardell MP Hannah Bardell is SNP MP for Livingston and served as its spokesperson for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 2018 to 2019.

Dolly Theis (Chair) Dolly Theis co-founded 50:50’s #AskHerToStand campaign and is in the final year of her PhD. Dolly stood in the 2017 General Election

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In collaboration with:

UNDERSTANDING THE REFUGEE 6:30pm, 9th February CRISIS The refugee crisis has been at the forefront of global events for almost a decade. There are over 70 million forcibly displaced people in the world today, while scenes of human suffering haunt our media. It is high time we confront this most pressing of issues. Our interdisciplinary panel aims not simply to raise awareness of the refugee crisis, but to answer the most important questions of the day. What is a refugee?

What is statehood? And what are governments and international organisations doing – or not doing – to address the crisis?

Lord Alf Dubs An outspoken supporter of refugee causes, Lord Dubs was the director of the Refugee Council from 19881995. In 2016 he moved an amendment that the UK should take unaccompanied child refugees from Europe.

Alexander Betts (Chair) Betts was Director of the Refugees Studies Centre, and served as a Councillor on the World Refugee Council. The Economist named his book ‘Refuge’ one of 2017’s best.

Sonali Naik Chair of Liberty, Naik is a trustee of Freedom From Torture and the Immigrant’s Aid Trust, and was appointed to the Justice Working Group on Reform of Immigration and Asylum.

Peter Gatrell Gatrell was one of the founding members of Manchester’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, and in 2015 published The Making of the Modern Refugee.

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LIBERTY, SOLIDARITY, AND THE CORONAVIRUS 16th February For decades, British policymakers have tried to strike a balance between individual liberty and collective solidarity - balancing the atomism of the liberal order with the human need for community. In all manner of ways, the pandemic, a collective action problem like no other, makes this ambition only more difficult: an issue each speaker here has an awful lot to say about.

Lord Blunkett Lord Blunkett is a Labour peer, who served as Home Secretary between 2001 and 2004.

Following the September 2001 attacks, he brought in new antiterrorism measures, including the detention without trial of suspected foreign nationals who could not be extradited or deported. He now serves as Chairman of the Board of the University of Law.

Dean Russell MP Dean Russell is the Conservative MP for Watford, elected in 2019. He currently serves as a member of the Joint Select Committee for Human Rights.

To be announced To be announced

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Amber Rudd was MP for Hastings and Rye from 2010 to 2019. She served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in David Cameron’s Government, before becoming Home Secretary under Theresa May. Amber was also Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under May and then Boris Johnson, before standing down prior to the last General Election.

AMBER RUDD IN CONVERSATION WITH

CRAIG OLIVER 6:30pm, 9th March

Craig Oliver was David Cameron’s Director of Communications for over six years. In that time, he played a central role in both the Conservative’s 2015 General Election campaign and the Remain campaign during the 2016 EU Referendum. Craig’s Unleashing Demons: The Inside Story of Brexit was published in October 2016.

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H. R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

He was the 26th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018. His most recent book, ‘Battlegrounds: the fight to defend the free world’, was published last year.

H. R. Mcmaster Brendan simms IN CONVERSATION WITH

6pm, 17th March

Brendan Simms is Professor of the History of European International Relations at Cambridge University, and Director of the Centre for Geopolitics.

He has published numerous books, including ‘Britain’s Europe: A Thousand Years of Conflict and Cooperation’, ‘Three Victories and a Defeat: the rise and fall of the first British Empire’, and most recently, ‘Adolf Hitler: only the world was enough’.

In collaboration with:

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Theresa may Postponed from Michaelmas

7th May Theresa May was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019, and the second woman to have held the position. Prior to that she served as Home Secretary from 2010 to 2016.

She remains in Parliament, serving as the Member for Maidenhead, which she has represented since 1997.

Lionel Barber was editor of the Financial Times from 2005 to 2020. Prior to that, Lionel was a journalist for The Scotsman and The Sunday Times.

Over the course of his career, he has interviewed Barack Obama, Wen Jiabao, Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Angela Merkel, and David Cameron. His private diaries from this period are now available in book format, published as ‘The Powerful and the Damned’.

LIONEL BARBER Confirmed for in-person 38

Rory Stewart is the former MP for Penrith and The Border, and International Development Secretary. He was a candidate for leader of the Conservative Party and for Mayor of London.

Prior to entering Parliament, Rory had a career in foreign affairs, serving as an infantry officer in the Black Watch before working for the UK Diplomatic Service in Jakarta, and as the coalition Deputy-Governor in a region of Southern Iraq following the intervention of 2003. On leave from the Foreign Service he walked for 21 months, staying in 500 village houses on the journey.

He has authored a number of books, including ‘The Places in Between’. Currently, he is a senior fellow at the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University.

RORY STEWART March 39

Arts From film to television, dance to sculpture, and poetry to painting, art has never felt more diverse and free thinking. Yet the artistic world suffers from prejudices of its own, and can be every bit as much an industry as it is a creative pursuit.

This Lent, we will hear from artists with a wide range of specialisms, each discussing what it means to create works of art in the present era. And we’re delighted to announce that several pioneering figures from the British stage, as well as two titans of fashion and several others, will be visiting us once the Union re-opens for members.

Before then, we’ll be hosting David Baddiel and a panel on diversity in the arts; a theatre director and a poet; and one of the world’s most acclaimed authors.

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RUPERT GOOLD 7pm, 24th February Rupert Goold is a theatre director and the artistic director of the Almeida Theatre. Previously Artistic Director of Headlong Theatre and Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, he is known for productions such as Judy (2019), True Story (2015) and The Hollow Crown (2012).

Mary Jean Chan is a poet, literary critic and author of Flèche, which won the 2019 Costa Book Award for Poetry and was named a Book of the Year in The Guardian, The Irish Times and the White Review. She is the 2019 recipient of an Eric Gregory Award for a collection by poets under the age of 30.

Mary jean chan 7pm, 5th March

Robert Icke FRSL, referred to as “the great hope of British theatre”, is a writer and theatre director best known for his modern adaptations of classic texts.

7pm, 6th October

ROBERT ICKE 41

Diversity in the arts 7pm, 1st March How and to what extent do issues of representation shape one’s artistic vision? This panel seeks to explore the systemic inequalities in the creative sector, and the role of art - both in creation and performance - in the expression and interrogation of social, economic and community privilege. Touching upon themes such as tokenism, marginalised identities and different social perspectives surrounding the question of diversity and ‘inequalities’, we hope for this to be a welcoming space in which all individuals can express opinions, share experiences and reflect upon creative practice.

Rhea Dillon Rhea is a visual artist and writer based between London and LA. Dillon graduated with a BA from Central Saint Martins, where she is now an associate lecturer, as well as part of the BBZ Collective. Her work focuses on the Black British diaspora, having produced films such as PROCESS, concerning the management of Black Hair and the photographic series SISTAHS, ‘a love letter to black sisterhood and friendship’.

Amaal Said Amaal is a Danish-born, London Based, Somali photographer and poet. Having her work featured in Vogue, The Guardian, and The New Yorker, she is concerned with storytelling and connecting with individuals to document these stories. A former Barbican Young Poet, she has also won the Wasafiri New Writing Prize for poetry in 2015 and is part of Octavia, a poetry collective for womxn of colour.

David Chariandy David is a Canadian writer. He currently teaches in the department of English at Simon Fraser University and was the winner of the 2019 Windham-Campbell Literature Prize in Fiction.

His award-winning debut novel Soucouyant concerns cross-cultural family dynamics and immigration, and this is further reflected in his more recent works Brother and I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: A Letter to My Daughter, both of which were met with critical acclaim.

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DAVID BADDIEL Lent term - date TBC David Baddiel is a British comedian. He is also a published novelist - his The Parent Agency won the LOLLIE award for ‘best laugh out loud book for 9-13 year olds’- and director. His greatest gift to humanity, of course, remains his football anthem Three Lions, which he wrote and produced with Frank Skinner and the Lightning Seeds for the 1996 Euros. His new book, Jews Don’t Count, will be released on the 4th February.

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André Aciman is an Egyptian-American writer, widely known for his vivid and stirring novels, such as Call Me by Your Name.

Of it, the Washington Post wrote, “if you have ever been the willing victim of obsessive love… you will recognize every nuance”.

Aciman’s memoir Out of Egypt describes his family’s Sephardic roots, and was described by Michiko Kakutani as a “remarkable memoir... that leaves the reader with a mesmerizing portrait of a now-vanished world.” Aciman is also Professor at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, where he teaches literary theory and Marcel Proust.

ANDRE ACIMAN 7pm, 5th February

Michael Morpurgo is a celebrated author, playwright and poet, most famous for his children’s novels. His War Horse (1982) in particular was the basis for a highly successful play and film adaptation.

He was the third Children’s Laureate, from 2003 to 2005.

MICHAEL MORPURGO Confirmed for in-person 44

DEV HYNES Confirmed for in-person

Dev Hynes is the artist behind Blood Orange and Lightspeed Champion. In addition to releasing some of the most critically acclaimed pop albums of the 2010s, Dev has produced for A$AP Rocky, fka twigs, Solange Knowles, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mariah Carey, and Mac Miller. Dev is also a highly accomplished classical composer, releasing Fields, a compilation of percussion compositions, in 2019. His most recent releases are the film scores for ‘Queen & Slim’ and ‘We Are Who We Are’. As part of his talk, Dev will be playing to the chamber live.

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AN evening WITH THE

ROYAL ballet WITH KEVIN O’HARE AND THE DANCERS OF THE ROYAL BALLET

Confirmed for Michaelmas

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The Royal Ballet is one of the world’s greatest classical ballet companies, based at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Under the directorship of Kevin O’Hare, the Company unites tradition and innovation in world-class performances and is committed to enriching people’s lives through dance.

Amidst the blow dealt by the pandemic to the performing arts, the Royal Ballet has taken a singular approach going forward.

Adapting to socially distanced practice and performance, the Company maintains its commitment to enriching people’s lives through dance.

We are delighted to be welcoming Mr O’Hare and the dancers of Royal Ballet to the Cambridge Union for an exclusive evening of live performance and discussion.

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Exploring the challenges and opportunities faced by dancers in their pursuit of artistry and perfection, join us for a unique event in collaboration with one of Britain’s foremost cultural institutions.

Kevin O’Hare CBE was born in Yorkshire, he trained at The Royal Ballet School from the age of 11 and was a Principal dancer of The Birmingham Royal Ballet. He retrained in Management with The Royal Shakespeare Company. He has moved through The Royal Ballet management team as Company Manager, Administrative Director and was appointed Director of The Royal Ballet in 2012. During this period Kevin has established The Royal Ballet as the world’s leading ballet company, commissioning new works, choreographic collaborations and engaging with new audiences.

TOM FORD Confirmed for in-person Tom Ford is an American fashion designer. Prior to launching his eponymous brand, he was creative director at Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci. He also wrote and directed the critically-acclaimed and Academy Award–nominated film A Single Man (2009) and Nocturnal Animals (2016).

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STELLA MCCARTNEY Confirmed for in-person Stella McCartney is a British fashion designer. She directs her own fashion house, and has undertaken a number of successful collaborations with the likes of Adidas, Taylor Swift and Team GB. She is also wellknown for her support of animal rights and non-animal food alternatives.

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SPORT

Whether you are interested in football, rugby, rowing, or just what constitutes the ultimate ‘HIIT’ workout, we are delighted to be able to offer a whole range of guest speakers from the sporting world at the Union. International rugby stars and Cambridge students James Horwill and Flip van der Merwe, Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell, Formula 1 mastermind Jean Todt, and Manchester United right-back (and television personality) Gary Neville will all be appearing, as will “The Body Coach” himself - Joe Wicks.

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JOE WICKS 7pm, 10th March

Also known as The Body Coach, Joe is a British fitness coach, TV presenter and author, best known for his ‘Lean in 15’ meal plans and workout videos. Since the first National Lockdown in March, he has run ‘PE with Joe’ in an effort to keep school children active. The livestreams of these videos have been watched by millions.

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Gary Neville is a former professional footballer who spent his entire career at Manchester United. During his playing career time, he was club captain for five years and won the Premier League eight times and the Champions League twice.

He also won 95 caps for England. After retiring, he was the assistant manager of the national team, before coaching Valencia CF. He is co-owner of Salford City FC, and a regular pundit on Sky Sports.

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Jean TODT 6pm, 3rd March Jean Todt is the current President of the FIA, the body that governs the world’s motorsport. He is most famous for leading the Ferrari Formula One team from 1994 to 2009. Together with Michael Schumacher, he was responsible for a period of total and unprecedented dominance for the team, winning 14 world championship titles, including five consecutive driver’s titles from 2000 to 2004. Prior to that, he was the Director of Peugeot’s fantastically successful rally team, and was even responsible for two victories at the 24 hours of Le Mans.

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PROFESSIONAL SPORT AND THE VARSITY Lent term - date TBC The Varsity fixtures between Oxford and Cambridge are steeped in tradition and represent the pinnacle of sporting achievement at both universities. But do these amateur events still matter in the world of professional sport? It would seem so, as accomplished sportsmen and women from across the world continue to come and study here and at Oxford in order to win a blues blazer. Listen to our panel of professionals who have done precisely that.

Flip van der Merwe Flip van der Merwe is a retired professional rugby player. He appeared 36 times for the Springboks between 2010 and 2015. He is currently studying for an executive MBA at the Judge Business School.

James Cracknell James Cracknell is a two-time gold medallist rower. In 2019, he became the oldest competitor, and oldest winner, for Cambridge in the Boat Race. He studied for an MPhil in Human Evolution between 2018 and 2019.

James Horwill James Horwill is a retired professional rugby player. He was captain of Australia between 2011 and 2013, and won 66 international caps between 2007 and 2016. He is currently studying for an executive MBA at the Judge Business School.

To be announced To be announced

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business

With so many Union members from the Judge Business School and an increasingly challenging global business environment, this Lent felt like the perfect opportunity to explore business, finance, and the City in much greater detail than we have managed before. For those interested in starting a business, Pret and Itsu founder Julian Metcalfe will be discussing exactly what running a firm involves, while two of Britain’s most famous entrepreneurs, Theo Paphitis and Claude Littner, will be sitting down to talk to each other about their respective experiences.

The new President of Queens’ College will also be visiting, as will five female lawyers for a panel focussing on the gendered challenges that still persist at the highest levels of the commercial world.

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WOMEN LEADING THE COMMERICAL WORLD 6:30pm, 22nd February Men still dominate the most senior roles in public life, and the commercial world is no exception. In spite of these traditional inequalities, this panel will explore how women rise to positions of seniority and carve out their careers with dynamism and verve. Join us to hear from a panel of leading women in international commercial law on their experiences, insights and advice for embarking into the professional world.

In collaboration with:

This is an invitation only event, with the opportunity to engage with the panelists directly. An exclusive sign-up form will be circulated in advance.

Karyl Nairn QC Karyl Nairn QC is co-head of the Global International Litigation and Arbitration Group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP.

Amanda Raad Amanda Raad is a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP, where she is Co-Chair of the Anti-Corruption and International Risk Practice and Co-Lead of the R&G Insights Lab.

Claire Wills Claire Wills is the London managing partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, with a leading corporate practice.

Vanessa Blackmore Vanessa Blackmore is a corporate partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, recognised as a leading practitioner in the capital markets field.

Claire Jeffs Claire Jeffs is a partner and Co-Chair of the global Competition Group at Slaughter and May.

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THE FOUNDER OF PRET AND ITSU

JULIAN METCALFE 7pm, 2nd March Presenting a talk entitled “What Cambridge can’t and won’t teach you about being your own boss”

MOHAMED EL-ERIAN 6:30pm, 8th March Mohamed is the new President of Queens’ College. Prior to this, he was named one of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers for four consecutive years; is a widely published economist and writer, and has written two New York Times bestselling books. From 2007-2014 he was the CEO of PIMCO, an investment management firm whose assets grew from $1 trillion to $2 trillion during his tenure, and from 2012-2017, he chaired President Obama’s Global Development Council.

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Theo Paphitis has a business empire that spans retail, property and finance. He left school at 16 with no qualifications due to his dyslexia, and started working as a filing clerk/tea boy for Lloyds Insurance.

He set up his own company at just 23 and has since revived the fortunes of many notable retail brands such as La Senza, Ryman, and Stationery Box. Theo was Chairman of Millwall FC for eight years, and became a household name through many series of BBC TV’s Dragons’ Den; also appearing in the latest series. He has helped to raise over £4million for Comic Relief through charity work with his businesses, and now supports numerous charities through his Theo Paphitis Charitable Trust.

THEO PAPHITIS CLAUDE LITTNER IN CONVERSATION WITH

7pm, 16th March

Event will be postponed if term has not resumed Renowned for his cut-throat appearances on all fifteen series of BBC One’s The Apprentice, Claude Littner is one of the UK’s most forthright business leaders - despite being told he had just six months to live in 1997 when diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

He has chaired Amstrad International, ASCO, Viglen, Powerleague, and Azzuri Communications, and served as Chief Executive of Tottenham from 1993-1998. In 2014, the University of West London’s Business School was renamed the Claude Littner Business School in acknowledgement of his contributions to the university of which he is a Visiting Professor.

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Sponsored by:

SCIENCE

Our futures seem more determined by the regions of science and technology than ever before. From the pandemic to Brexit, from cancer to the economy, advancements in science and technology are being presented as the solutions of our modern age.

At the same time, experts increasingly complain of a ‘science deficit’ in our education systems and a lack of technical understanding on the part of our politicians and the wider public. There has never therefore been a more important time to ask: what is the proper role of science in our society and how do we best engage with it? Why not join us and some of the world’s leading scientists for an exciting series of events which attempts to consider the answers to this question?

The Cambridge Union would like to thank AstraZenca for their generous help in putting together this series of events.

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bridging the gap: SCIENCE, POPULAR CULTURE, AND INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

Lent term Date TBC

When so many of our leaders, media pundits and celebrities have a background in the arts, science often takes a hit. In the media, the scientists are regularly misquoted, and their facts misconstrued. Meanwhile, the proportion of young people pursuing STEM degrees and careers has shrunk considerably in the last twenty years.

Is science considered less inspiring than other subjects and do we experience a science ‘deficit’ in popular culture? If the answers are yes, then what can be done about it? This event seeks to answer these questions by bringing together three renowned scientists from a range of different disciples who have very successfully bridged the public/academic divide.

Sponsored by: Tara Guinn Fletcher Tiera Fletcher is one of the designers and structural analysts building the Space Launch System for NASA which is set to send people to Mars. She received the 2017 Good Housekeeping’s Awesome Woman Award for her work inspiring younger generations to overcome barriers and pursue careers in science.

Richard Wiseman Richard Wiseman is a Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He has written several best-selling books that have been translated into over 30 languages. He also produces educational YouTube videos which have reached over 40 million viewers.

Lucie Green Lucie Green is a science communicator and solar researcher. She is a Professor of AstroPhysics at University College London and in 2013 Green became the first ever female presenter of The Sky at Night following the death of Sir Patrick Moore.

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IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE A THREAT? Lent term - date TBC Computers can read, write, see, hear and understand, speak, smell, touch, move, play games, understand emotions and even read your mind. Are these welcome advancements or do they leave us with something to be feared? Will computers ever make humans redundant? Join us and some of the world’s leading authorities on artificial intelligence for what promises to be an insightful and lively discussion on the future of AI; its benefits and the threats it poses.

Sponsored by:

Tshilidzi Marwala Tshilidzi Marwala is a computer scientist and currently holds the posts of Vice Chancellor and Principal at the University of Johannesburg. An Artificial Intelligence Specialist, he has written more than eleven books and 280 papers on the subject.

Kenneth Cukier Kenneth Cukier - is Senior editor at the Economist and co-author of Big Data: A Revolution that Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think.

Mateja Jamnik Mateja Jamnik is a professor of Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge and winner of the Royal Society’s Athena Prize in 2016. Her research focuses on developing ‘intuitive’ human-like computers.

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From early testing in the lab to mass roll out, the coronavirus vaccines are the fastest ever to have been produced. This panel will look behind the scenes at the process by which this was achieved, and examine the future of the vaccine: are they the panacea we hope them to be, or will the journey to Covidrecovery be a longer and more drawn out process?

CORONAVIRUS VACCINES: THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL? A PANEL

Lent term - date & speakers TBC

SIR PAUL NURSE Confirmed for in-person Paul Nurse is an English geneticist and Nobel Prize Winner who currently serves as Chief Executive and Director of the Francis Crick Institute. Along with his research fellows, Nurse was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize for his research into cell division. Nurse also served as President of the Royal Society between 2010 and 2015.

Sponsored by:

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also this term

TRAILBLAZERS IN LGBTQ+ HISTORY WITH Stephen fry & clare balding February To mark LGBT+ History Month, we have invited both students and prominent LGBTQ+ individuals to participate in a short film which celebrates, in the year 2021, the work of 21 extraordinary LGBTQ+ figures from history to the present day. Join us, Clare Balding, Peter Tatchell, Lord Chris Smith and many others for what promises to be an inspiring and uplifting premiere this February.

Stephen Fry Stephen Fry is an English actor, comedian and writer who has starred in a wide range of television programmes and films including, Blackadder, The Hobbit, and Jeeves and Woster.

Fry also presented Stephen Fry: Out There, a two-part documentary in which he explored attitudes to homosexuality and the lives of gay people around the globe.

Clare Balding Clare is an English broadcaster and author who currently presents for BBC Sport, Channel 4, and BT Sport. In 2014, she was named in the top 10 on the World Pride Power list. Balding was a former Union President and will be introducing our film.

Peter Tatchell Peter is an LGBTQ+ and Human Rights Campaigner. He has championed and protested for LGBTQ+ rights across the world. Tatchell was a leading member of the Gay Liberation Front and co-founder of the direct action group, OutRage!

Lord Chris Smith Lord Smith is a Labour Peer and the current Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was the first openly gay male British MP and the first MP to acknowledge that he is HIV positive. Lord Smith was also a former Union President and now sits as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

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EXPERIENCES OF BREAST CANCER: BME AND MALE VOICES: CAMBRIDGE PINK WEEK IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BME CAMPAIGN

7pm, 1st February To help shine a light on experiences of breast cancer often overlooked in mainstream UK media, Cambridge Pink Week brings you a panel discussion on the challenges facing men and BME individuals with the disease, and the hope that charities and awareness campaigns are increasingly providing. Three inspirational speakers will discuss their personal experiences and the work being done by some fantastic charities to provide more inclusive support for breast cancer patients. The talk will bust some unhelpful myths about the disease and give a voice to under-explored perspectives.

Dave Talbot Dave Talbot was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Volunteer at the charitable organisation Walk the Walk, he completed the MoonWalk London, a challenge put in place by the organisation to collect funds for breast cancer research, while he was still going through treatment. Now, Dave’s goal is to share his experience and spread awareness on male breast cancer, a little known form of breast cancer which affects 350 men in the UK every year.

Shevelle Copeland-Kelly After her breast cancer diagnosis, Shevelle found support and solidarity in Black Women Rising, which gave her the hope she needed to get through treatment. Her work on the GIRLvsCANCER campaign and appearance on the You, Me & The Big C podcast has hoped to raise awareness of and explore a lack of cultural nuance in the healthcare sector.

Zahida Ramzan-Asghar Zahida was diagnosed with cancer almost 9 years ago and has since been working to break down taboos surrounding breast cancer within BME communities where late diagnosis is more common.

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Sta n d i n g C O M M I T T E E

James Vitali Executive Officer

Freddie Fisk President

Jungmin Seo Vice-President

Keir Bradwell Speakers Officer

Kyoka Hadano Equalities Officer

Leonardos Markakis Social Events Officer

Cary Godsal Debating Officer

Patrick Connolly Treasurer

Tamkeen Nawab Debating Officer

Lara Brown Debates Officer-elect

Joel Rosen President-elect

Tara Bhagat Speakers Officer-elect

Comprised of up to fourteen members, Standing Committee is the committee responsible for the overall running of the society, leading the organising of the society’s events, the running of debating competitions, and the appointing of other committees. Elections are held termly for the positions of President, Executive Officer, Speakers Officer, Social Events Officer, and Diversity Officer, whilst the Vice President, Treasurer and Debating Officer are annual, appointed positions.

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APPOINTEES Getting involved At the end of each term, the incoming team of officers interview people for a variety of positions across the appointed committees. Each one of these committees have a different collective responsibility, but all contribute in an important and unique way to the society. Calls for applications will be posted on our Facebook page, as well as to our mailing list.

Full Committee Full Committee is responsible for running the society on a day-to-day basis. These positions range from looking after high profile speakers, to managing long term press relations, to ensuring the logistical running of events and looking after our technical systems - although this being an online term, there is a much smaller need relative to usual. Unlike Standing Committee, no experience is required for any of these roles.

Full Committee, Lent 2021 Secretary

Sam Hunt

Senior Guest Liaison (Debates) Senior Guest Liaison (Speakers) Guest Liaison Officers

Naomi Kilcoyne Grace Smithson Adam Bradley, Calvin Hartley, Cordelia Sigurdsson, James Mackey, Jasper Federman, Liza Critchley, Sophie West, & Trudy Yates

Head of Press Press Officers

Samuel Rubinstein Alisha Raja, Ella Bragwanath, & Sebastian Erskine

Head of Publicity Publicity Officers

Henry Spencer Su Shien Ng, Siobhan Corbey Tobin, Leti Ryder, Ella Worsfold

Alumni Officers

Dolly Theis & Cassandra Shand

Graduate Officers

Abraham Alheyali & Armelle Kim

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Equalities Committee The Equalities Committee is made up of a number of officers who work with the Equalities Officer to facilitate the representation of minority groups, and lead conversations about diversity.

Equalities Committee, Lent 2021 Access Officer BME Officer Women’s & Non-Binary Officers LGBTQ+ Officer

James Appiah III Zara Salaria Eleanor Hargrove Evie Morgan Alex Martin

Competitive Debating For the more practical-minded, and those interested in giving back, the Union offers the chance to organise a vast range of international debate competitions, some of which run hand-in-hand with our charitable aims as an organisation, including the Cambridge Schools Debating Competition, and our access work.

Schools Convenors Schools Deputy Convenors ICYD Convenors Advanced Workshop Trainers Intermediate Workshop Trainers Beginner Workshop Trainers

Atiyu Mehta & Conall Hughes Dioni Ellinikaki, Darina Andriychenko, & Siddharth Pai Joshan Parmar & Filip Gavranovič Lucia Arce, Christoph Marshall, & Piper Whitehead Tamkeen Nawab & Goh Han Yang Cary Godsal & Simon Ulsvgaard

Invitations Committees The Invitations Committees, made up of a Debates Committee, a Speakers Committee, and the President’s Committee, assist in putting together a series of debates and speaker events for the upcoming term.

Speakers Committee

Debates Committee Herbie Lambden Tom Cryer Francois Vilbert-Chang Sophie West Kyoka Hadano Kieron Spoors Lara Brown Tara Bhagat

Dolly Theis Emma Prichard Su Shien Ng Conall Hughes Grace Pollard Zoe Swanwick Anousha Karim Eve Blain

President’s Committee David Quan, The President’s Secretary Kieron Spoors Scarlet Rowe

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STA F F a n d G OV E R N A N C E Trustees The Rt. Hon The Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury PC (Chair) Dr. Nigel Brown OBE Dr. Nigel Yandell Nick Heath FRICS The Hon. Daniel Janner QC David Branch Sir Christopher Greenwood QC

Araba Taylor Rachel Green David Robinson The President of the Cambridge Union, Freddie Fisk The Vice President of the Cambridge Union, Jungmin Seo The Director of Debating at the Cambridge Union, Cary Godsal

The Directors of Cambridge Union Society Enterprises Col. (Ret) William Bailey The President of the Cambridge Union, Freddie Fisk The Vice President of the Cambridge Union, Jungmin Seo

Dr. Nigel Brown OBE Rachel Green David Robinson

Review Committee Joshua Blanchard Lewis (ex officio Vice President, 2008-09) (Chair) Joel Fenster (ex officio President, Easter 2013) Alex Forzani (ex officio Vice President, 2008-09) Sam Longton (ex officio Social Events Officer, Lent 2019) Imran Mateo (ex officio Vice President, 2018-19) Page Nyame-Satterthwaite (ex officio President, Michaelmas 2017) Nick Wright (ex officio Vice President, 2008-09)

Staff Col. (Retd.) William Bailey MBE - Bursar Joe Burman - General Manager Sam Heap - Bar and Catering Manager Louise Gamon - Membership Secretary

Katherine Connelly - Events Coordinator Sabine Edwards - Advertising and Sponsorship Francesca Revelo - Accountant Stephen Chukualim - Senior Technician

2022 Committee Rachel Green (Chair) (ex officio President, Easter 1998) Col. (Retd.) William Bailey MBE (Bursar) David Branch (ex officio President, Michaelmas 1995) Alex Forzani (ex officio Vice President, 2012-13) The Hon. Daniel Janner QC (ex officio President, Michaelmas 1978) Freddie Fisk (President, Lent 2021)

Jungmin Seo (Vice President, 2020-21) Joel Rosen (President-Elect, Easter 2021) Imran Mateo (ex officio Vice President, 2018-19) Vincent Rustill (ex officio Treasurer, Lent 2019) Abdullah Shah (ex officio President, Easter 2019) Nick Wright (ex officio Vice President, 2014-15) Amy Gregg (ex officio President, Lent 2015)

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PRESIDENT’S THANKS In producing this termcard, I have incurred some pretty hefty individual debts.

You are also one of the most thoughtful people I know and an all-round great guy.

James and Keir, it is difficult to talk about you separately as this termcard is as much yours as it is mine. James, your decisiveness and continuously calm demeanour has helped us all keep steady and buoyant. Your hard work and good planning has paid off in bucketloads, with an extraordinary variety of very meaty debates lined up. Keir, you go above and beyond in everything you do, and I could not have asked for a better speakers officer or a wittier chap to be messaging first thing in the morning, when you are yet to go to bed. The speakers line up is fantastic, even more so when you consider the impact of coronavirus. Thank you both for your endless advice, support and friendship.

Jungmin and Patrick, you are the unsung heroes of any term. As Vice President and Treasurer, you provide the framework for pretty much everything.

You have shown nothing but resilience for as long as I’ve worked with you, and quite frankly I don’t know how you do your jobs for a whole year.

Thank you for putting up with all my reforming impulses, and for keeping me on the straight and narrow when it was necessary.

Cary and Tamkeen, debating is at the heart of what we do at the Union and I honestly couldn’t imagine a better pair to lead all our debating competitions and workshops. I’ve not had the pleasure of working closely with you on many occasions, but when I have, you’ve both been immensely helpful and about four steps ahead of me. I wish you the best of luck with this term’s upcoming tournaments.

Kyoka, where do I begin? You have gone above and beyond your brief, drawing in a myriad of incredible events, from Tom Ford to a live performance from the Royal Ballet. I am constantly in awe of your positivity, and you have managed the equalities committee with a level of competence I could only dream of. Thank you for all that you have done so far this term securing such a diverse line-up, and for those delicious recipes :)

To the elects; Joel, Tara and Lara, you are great fun to work with and have been very accommodating of all the idiosyncrasies of my term’s planning. It sounds like you have some awesome plans for Easter already, both in terms of institutional reform and your line up of debates. I can’t wait to see these bear fruit!

Leo, I am sorry that this term’s social events are unable to pan out quite as envisaged, but I’m in no doubt you will do a tremendous job of boosting the mood with your virtual line up! Like Kyoka, you have been a great help in so many departments.

To the equalities committee; James, Zara, Ellie, Evie and Alex, you have been one of the most well-oiled cogs in this whole machine. Thank you Zara, firstly, for being THE bubbliest person on committee and, 69

secondly, for producing a fantastic arts panel and going above and beyond by helping James with the race debate. Evie and Ellie, you are both so on it, and your dedication has produced a really meaningful line-up of women’s events. Last but by no means least, Alex, you have been the best LGBTQ+ Officer! Thank you for planning a really exciting LGBTQ+ film (the first ever Union film!), and most importantly, for your love and support.

have met, and I have learnt much from your use of charm and diplomacy. Sam, you are the best no-nonsense, fun loving bar manager a student President could ask for. I’m just sorry I won’t be able to work with you this term. Francesca, thank you for your endlessly assiduous accounting and amazingly swift replies to my emails. Stephen, we are yet to work together properly, but I have heard nothing but positive things about your tech wizardry. Sabine, you have been great at keeping sponsorships ticking over and supporting us with our science series. Katherine, you have been a whizz at creating beautiful graphics.

To my own committee, David and Kieron, you have been my left and right arms, hands and legs.

All the hours you have put in following up on my last-minute requests and fulfilling odd jobs, have been enormously appreciated. Kieron, you are an invitations machine and, David, you are a source of constant motivation and energy.

To those outside the Union, Gabriel and Becky, you deserve special thanks. Gabriel, you are the reason I got involved with this institution and I am infected with your enthusiasm for its values.

You have both been great sources of inspiration for constitional changes and the phrasing of debate motions. Please do keep offering advice and criticism from afar - I welcome both in equal measure! This termcard owes a lot to your general wisdom.

Speakers and Debates Committees - what a line up! You deserve a massive dollop of credit for a huge number of events. Thank you for putting up with my zooms every Monday morning and for continuing to pump out hundreds of personalised invitations.

Full Committee, the real party is yet to start, but thank you for all your enthusiasm and diligence up to this point. You blew us out of the water at interview and I have no doubt you’ll do a tremendous job. I am sorry to those of you who have seen your jobs curtailed in the move to an online term, but I do hope you make the most of other opportunities to get stuck in.

Finally, I would like to thank you as members for sticking with us throughout the twists and turns of this pandemic and for continuing to provide the Union with such an engaging and dynamic audience. Some of the most interesting conversations with speakers have been initiated by your questions, and you have been responsible for some of the best debate speeches I have ever seen. Your enthusiasm for each line-up of events is what gives us hacks the energy to do what we do.

Your criticism when we get things wrong is what keeps us motivated to do a good job. For this, you deserve the biggest thanks of all.

To the staff at the Union, I don’t know how you put up with us students, but you are all stoics. Bill, our bursar, you have done an incredible job of keeping the show on the road for thirteen years; advising and guiding each new term with a firm but fair hand. Joe, you seem to be the man who does everything and I’m amazed by the number of plates you keep spinning in the air. Louise, you are possibly one of the most competent people I

With best wishes and much love,

Freddie 70

Astra Zeneca as a Corporate Patron of the Union.