Issuu

the

Cambridge Union Michaelmas 2026

“

Sometimes I’ll start a sentence and I don’t know where it’s going. I just hope to find it somewhere along the way. Like an improv conversation. An improversation.

Michael Scott

Welcome The President’s Welcome has baffled many of us in the past. How does one explain being a member of a 211-year-old student-led institution, bursting with tradition yet constantly looking forward? Dedicating itself to the same mission for centuries while remaining current, at the forefront of whatever conversation comes next?

their stories, and in a world where blind eyes are turned upon them, provide a room of students eager to simply sit and listen. Or it might be the juxtaposition of having a fancy roast duck meal with your favourite underground rapper (a moment my brother will never hear the end of), or watching your favourite actor’s unimpressed face as your friend asks him if he would rather fight 10 lion-sized chickens or 100 chicken-sized lions. You can never predict where the Union’s speaker roster will turn to next, and it is that excited unknowing we’ve tried to encapsulate in our lineup for you this term, from History Alice, Etymology Nerd, Dan Jones, to Simon Squibb and James Dyson taking the floor over the next few months.

I would love to sum up the Cambridge Union, and what it means for all of us, in just this page. But frankly, I can’t. The Union has a unique ability to mean infinite different things to any person, while remaining bound to an unchanging purpose, which is precisely what makes it so special. So take this next page as a President’s best attempt at articulating what it means to be a member of the world’s oldest free-speech society, where he has met just as many lifelong friends as lifelong idols, and where sitting in a big chair is somehow turned into an incredibly complex task.

Or is it the opportunity to throw a silent disco on the same floor James Baldwin once decried racial inequality, in front of 1000 people in 1965? Books containing centuries of history (evident through the WWII shrapnel buried in them) sit shelved in the Union’s library, watching as both networking sessions and performative male competitions unfold before them. Because why not? Our programme of social events this term serve a range of purposes, whether that is taking a breath away from the pressures of academic life, exploring career opportunities, learning how to make cocktails, or ceilidh dancing. And not to mention our biggest event of the year – the Union Ball.

Every Union member has that moment when they realise the magic of the institution they are now part of. What will that be for you? Some might say it will be in that first debate, entering a house humming with 400 different opinions. Perhaps it’s the rush of speaking there, that very house suddenly going silent to hear your point of information. Where else can a primary school child rip into politicians about privatising the NHS, to the delighted roar of a Cambridge audience? The Union’s debates have been a staple of what we do for centuries, because they invite anyone to have an opinion. And this is what we’ve chased for this term – motions that touch all lives and interests, on technology, religion, politics, history, nationalism, and the relationships between them. Our debates aim to take the chaos of a world constantly arguing with itself and turn it into conversations we can all take part in.

So perhaps that is why it’s so hard to pinpoint a single moment that demonstrates what the Union is all about. It’s a place that refuses single definition. I write this message in our office, at a desk shared by John Keynes, RAB Butler, Clare Balding, and Robert Harris. Centuries of knowledge and experience sit here to draw upon. But I can’t express it from here; that is for you to unlock within our chamber walls. Welcome to the Cambridge Union. I can’t wait to see what it comes to mean for you.

Some might say it’s meeting world-renowned politicians, artists, actors and personalities. It could be that universal nervous waddle towards the person you’ve been waiting for weeks to see. It could be the opportunity to hear the insight that had never even crossed your mind. It fills me with pride that I am part of a platform through which survivors of unthinkable tragedies are invited to share

Joe Hesketh | Fitzwilliam President, Michaelmas 2026

Photo: Nordin Ćatić

Contents

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Welcome

Treasurer’s Treats

History

Debates

Get Involved

Speakers

Accessibility

Social Events

Facilities

Committees

Equalities

President’s Thanks

Competitive Debating

Sponsors

pg. 12

Reciprocal Societies

History On 13 February 1815, a small group of undergraduates founded what would become the Cambridge Union: a place where students could argue openly, test ideas in public, and disagree without fear.

28 July 1942, the Union was hit by Luftwaffe bombs and three people were killed. Yet even after physical damage, the society rebuilt, because the Union has never been defined by bricks alone, but the arguments that happen inside them.

That founding impulse was tested almost immediately. On 24 March 1817, University proctors burst into the Union and shut down debates. The Union returned in March 1821, but only under restrictions, most notably a ban on discussing political matters from the previous twenty years. It was not until 1830 that debating was again permitted without such limits. From the start, then, the Union’s story has been one of insisting on free speech even when that speech proved inconvenient or unpopular.

The post-war years saw the Union’s voice reach beyond Cambridge. On Armistice Day 1947, the Union hosted the first university debate broadcast live, aired on the BBC Third Programme. Whether in the chamber or over the airwaves, the principle was the same: public argument, made accountable to an audience. Few parts of the Union’s history show change more clearly than the story of women speaking and leading. On 4 November 1963, the Union voted to admit women by a vote of 499 to 180. Then, in 1967, history was made when Baroness Mallalieu became the Union’s first female President, a milestone that still defines the society’s modern life. Her presidency did not simply add a new name to the records; it widened what generations to come could imagine themselves doing here. Last year, she returned to the chamber in Michaelmas for our 210th Anniversary Debate, linking that breakthrough moment to the Union today, and proving again that Union history is not sealed in an archive. Instead, it comes back into the room whenever former presidents, old members, and new students meet across the despatch box.

As the society grew, it also kept moving, from inns to borrowed rooms, until members raised the funds for a permanent home. The foundation stone of the Bridge Street building was laid on 4 June 1864, and the Union officially opened there on 30 October 1866. The chamber quickly became both a training ground for future public figures and a stage where students could test arguments against the scrutiny of a packed house. But the Union’s history is not only architectural or ceremonial; it is also a history of who gets to speak, and who gets to lead. The Union has often broadened access before the University was ready to do so: Lent 1850 saw the election of the Union’s first Jewish President, six years before Jews were allowed to take their degrees, and Michaelmas 1882 saw the election of the Union’s first ethnic minority President. These milestones matter not as trophies, but as reminders that the promise of free speech is hollow unless the floor is genuinely open.

As we enter Michaelmas 2026, now 211 years after that February night in 1815, the Union’s history reads less like a monument and more like an invitation. Each generation inherits the same simple challenge: to defend the freedom to disagree, to put the hardest questions on the table, and to keep the chamber worthy of the tradition it claims.

The twentieth century brought global upheaval and renewed purpose. During World War II, the Union building was commandeered by the RAF, and then struck directly in a bombing raid. On

Freddie Bishop | Newnham Vice President, 2026-27

Get Involved The Cambridge Union is all about you — our membership. Whether you’re sitting in the crowd or taking the floor for a speech, none of our activities would be possible without you. But most importantly, our events — large and small alike — are student-planned, student-run, and student-centred. And yes, that means you get a say too! The Union can feel like a daunting environment, and that’s why we’re here to demystify the mysterious. You can check out our Issuu page for the How to Get Involved Guide, and read below for a brief overview!

Debates Ever watched a Union debate and imagined yourself speaking up at the despatch box? Here’s your chance! Applications to speak in our emergency and main debates open in the week leading up to each debate, and can be found in our Facebook members’ group, on our Instagram stories, and in the weekly members’ email. We encourage any Union member to apply!

19:30 - Emergency Debates Consisting entirely of student speakers, each emergency debate addresses a topical issue of the week or an issue relevant to the main debate motion. They serve as a warm-up for the main debate, allow students to get more comfortable at the despatch box — but best of all, our emergency debate speakers are rewarded with a free drink and a charitable point!

20:00 - Main Debates In the main debate, members can engage with speeches in real time by submitting a Point of Information (POI). You can correct a point, ask for clarity, challenge a speaker or propose a question by standing and saying ‘Point of Information’ or ‘On that point’ after the first and before the last minute of a given speech. The speaker may choose to reject your POI - but if they do accept, deliver your (brief!) point. After that, it’s the speaker’s responsibility to respond. If you want to make a longer argument of your own, raise your hand during either of the rounds of floor speeches during each debate. You can speak in proposition, opposition, or abstention to respond to the debate as it happens! This term, we’ll also be offering some exciting prizes for the best floor speeches in each debate - so make sure to turn out! 4

Get Involved Speakers and Panels At each of our individual speaker or panel events, we allow our members to put questions to our guests. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to interact with our guests. Throughout Michaelmas, our members can also ballot to meet individual speakers at the pre-event drinks receptions! Keep your eyes on our social media pages, Facebook members’ page, and weekly members’ email for details on speaker ballots throughout Michaelmas.

Join a Committee You can also get involved by joining our committees and we have lots of them! We recruit for Full Committee, Speakers’ Subcommittee, Debates Subcommittee, Equalities Subcommittee, Social Events Subcommittee, and Ball Committees. Check our social media and members’ email for more details about applying for subcommittees. Do apply - you won’t regret it!

Run for Election Elections for Standing Committee happen at the end of each term. In order to run to be an Officer, you must have served a term on Full Committee and collected 4 charitable points. To run for President, you must have previously served a term as an Officer. If you have any questions about the election process, please email vicepresident@cus.org! You can find more information on how to run for elections by heading to our membership page, at membership.cus.org. Under the ‘Get Involved’ section, you can find information on the responsibilities of Standing Committee roles, the election process, and the results of past elections. We look forward to welcoming you to the building!

Accessibility

We are firmly committed to ensuring that all members feel the Union is a space that is accessible to them. This short Q&A guide aims to answer some frequently asked accessibility questions. If members have any other accessibility concerns or questions they are warmly encouraged to email access@cus.org. Additionally, members of the Union may bring a bona fide guest, for a fee of £25.00. Guests must not be eligible for Union membership in their own right (i.e., students of Cambridge or Anglia Ruskin University cannot be admitted as guests). If you have any ideas, questions, or concerns regarding access at the Union, please feel free to contact your access officers, Alice, Ruiyu and Esha. We would love to hear how members feel the Union can become an even better space, and one that they are able to express agency within. Q. Which rooms are wheelchair accessible? A. All the rooms are wheelchair accessible, except the chamber balcony. The building itself is wheelchair accessible through the Orator and reception entrances. There is access to step free lavatories via the Orator entrance. Q. Which rooms are hearing-loop enabled? A. The Chamber is currently the only room that is hearing loop enabled. Q. Can I bring non-member dependants, carers or guide dogs to events? A. In most cases this should be no issue at all. Please email vicepresident@cus.org beforehand to confirm arrangements. Q. Where should wheelchair users sit in the Chamber? A. Space can be made either side of the back benches. Q. Which doors are wide enough to allow wheelchairs through? A. The reception, chamber entrance, library and Fairfax Rhodes Room doors are all wide enough. Q. Which rooms have padded seating available? A. All the seating in the building is padded. Q. How should wheelchair users exit in the case of a fire? A. Depending on the source of the fire, members can exit through either the Chamber doors or Reception. They can also be lifted over the stairs of the chamber fire doors (it is only a few steps either side). Event Managers are on duty to help with this. 6

Q. How should attendees with impaired mobility, or any other difficulty with queuing access busy or oversubscribed events? A. Please email vicepresident@cus.org before the event to confirm your accessibility need. It is possible to sit and ‘queue’ on the sofas in the reception area upon arrangement. If you arrive before the amount of people queueing is more than a full chamber, you will get one of our accessibility-reserved seats (the back benches). If you come after the amount of people queueing is greater than the amount of seats in the chamber, we are unable to guarantee you a seat as that would put you ahead of those who have queued for prolonged amounts of time and are turned away. We hope members understand this logic.

Financial Access We offer a range of discounted memberships, depending on financial need. Our lowest band of access memberships begin at £95 for those on the full Cambridge bursary. Whether you are new to the society or a long-standing member, we are here to support you in any way we can to make sure you get most of your membership. If you have any concerns or questions, then please contact our access team: access@cus.org. We also offer different scholarships entitling you to a lifetime membership of the Cambridge Union, free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors. Applicants will be chosen primarily according to financial need, along with their ability to demonstrate an interest in the Union. Keep your eyes on our social media channels for when we release the application form.

Welfare Your Welfare Officers Katy Derby Ross Kinnaird Keshav Kedia Jessica Mabey We will be running regular welfare hours, which will be communicated via our social channels and emails. The Orator provides anti-drink spiking covers upon request, and if you ever feel like you’re in an unsafe situation, you can ask for Angela at our bar. Our team of bar staff will know you need help and assist you as necessary. You can also submit complaints, requests, feedback or concerns via the Members’ form, which will be sent out via email, and you can reach us at welfare@cus.org. 7

Facilities Debating Chamber

Members’ Room

The FairfaxRhodes Reading Room 8

Dining Room

The Orator

The Keynes Library

Equalities Platforming underrepresented voices is a sustained commitment of the Union, and with this in mind, we have put together an exciting term card which ushers in fresh perspectives. At the Union we aim to create the conditions where a wide range of views are considered and we hope to not only embody our ethos of free speech, but also the interests of our diverse student body, because free speech without diversity is incomplete.

Later in term, our debate, ‘This House Believes Popular Culture Has Done More For Black Liberation than Legislation” will provide a platform for our members to discuss the progress of the civil rights movement in the UK and across the globe, with guest speakers covering both academia and the performing arts. Our debates cover a wide spectrum of topics ranging from feminism to the global south, and plenty of topics and disciplines covered - from politics topics such whether This House Has No Confidence In His Majesty’s Government to STEM, including our flagship Hawking Fellow James Dyson.

To accomplish this, this term Equalities collaborated with officers to integrate equalities across all aspects of the Union. Our Equalities Officer has recently undergone a constitutional change to ensure we can deliver a more robustly representative range of events across the whole of term. Across the next eight weeks,we aim to create a space in which the whole range of lived experiences can be discussed and shared, as we believe that this is the only way in which we can create a union fit for now, and for the future.

For our STEM-inclined members, we have already hosted an event with Perplexity AI CEO Dr Aravind Srinivas, in which he discussed the future of artificial intelligence, as well as his personal rise as an entrepreneur. Looking forward, this Michaelmas we hope to increase involvement in the Union from all aspects of the Cambridge Community through Getting Involved Workshops, a Freshers Mixer in collaboration with the 93% Club, Freshers Representatives, a return of the Freshers Dictionary, allowing for your voices to be heard with the introduction of Members Memos, and the return of a newly structured Equalities subcommittee.

Black History Month falls within Michaelmas, and we are incredibly proud of our offerings to celebrate. On the 13th October, we welcome Sir Patrick Vernon for a Speaker event, in collaboration with the African Caribbean Research Group and Cambridge Afro-Caribbean Society. Sir Patrick Vernon is an acclaimed activist and campaigner, and this promises to be a highly interesting evening.

Joe Hesketh | President Freddie Bishop | Vice-President

Competitive Debating The Cambridge Union offers one of the most successful and inclusive debating programmes in the world. We have maintained a strong record of success, with a history of teams advancing deep into the World and European Debating Championships. No prior experience is required to join – everyone can start improving their public speaking skills, and we believe the best way to learn is by doing! All Union members are welcome to participate in our events. Why not give it a try?

an experienced debater - both designed to provide accessible and supportive learning experiences. Competitions offer a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow students and explore different parts of the country. The Union covers all registration fees; you only need to come ready to debate! We also offer opportunities to compete internationally beyond the UK. Last year, we sent eight debaters to Utrecht in the Netherlands to compete at the European Universities’ Debating Championships, and twelve debaters to Sofia, Bulgaria for the World Universities’ Debating Championships.

Why should I get involved? Debating with the Cambridge Union equips you with a valuable set of skills that extend beyond traditional British Parliamentary debate. These are highly transferable and beneficial in various contexts, both academic and professional. We offer a wide range of programmes to suit all interests, ensuring there is something for everyone.

This year, we plan to send teams to compete at the upcoming World and European Debating Championships, which will be in Ottawa and Vienna, respectively. How do I get involved?

Debating Sessions and Workshops

As a Cambridge debater, you can also participate as a judge or convenor for Cambridge Schools and the International Competition for Young Debaters (ICYD). This is a great way to get involved with the charitable causes of the Union. By helping out and offering feedback to school students, you can aid them in developing their debating skills and confidence.

We hold weekly sparring sessions on Tuesdays from 7:00–9:00 pm and Thursdays from 6:00–8:00pm. These sessions are designed for both beginners and experienced debaters, giving you the opportunity to improve your skills under the guidance of leading debaters from the Cambridge Union. You are free to choose your level of commitment – come every week, or just to the occasional session to boost your confidence. Whether you aspire to compete for Cambridge or simply wish to develop your public speaking abilities, our training will help you become a formidable debater.

Please drop by one of our regular sessions and give it a go – all Union members are welcome! If you are unable to attend in person, please don’t hesitate to email us at debating@cus.org.

Competitions Universities across the United Kingdom host debating competitions nearly every week, and we actively encourage all of our members to participate. We don’t just send out top speakers – members of all abilities are selected, ensuring everyone has a chance to compete. Those who are new to competitive debating will also have the opportunity to attend novice tournaments, or to ‘pro-am’ with

Anoushka Sood | Queens’ Clara Ballantyne | Corpus Christi Competitive Debating Officers, 2026-2027

RECIPROCAL

MEMBERSHIPS

Your membership of the Cambridge Union entitles you to reciprocal memberships with some of the world’s finest members’ clubs and free speech societies. Below is a list of reciprocal membership clubs that you can access courtesy of your membership. For information on how to use your reciprocal membership, including on how to obtain the mandatory Letter of Introduction, contact vicepresident@cus.org.

UK (Outside London) & Ireland

London

The Century Club The Lansdowne Club The National Liberal Club

The Athenaeum, Liverpool The Bury St Edmunds & Farmers Club, Bury St Edmunds The Cardiff and County Club, Cardiff The Clifton Club, Bristol The Dublin Philosophical Society, Dublin* The Durham Union Society, Durham* The Hove Club, Brighton The Ipswich & Suffolk Club, Ipswich The Norfolk Club, Norwich The Northampton & County Club, Northampton The Oxford Union Society, Oxford* The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh The Trinity College Historical Society, Dublin* The University of St. Andrews Union Debating Society, St. Andrews*

United States & Canada

The Athenaeum, Pasadena The Cypress Club, Medicine Hat The Forest & Stream Club, Montreal The Halifax Club, Halifax, Canada The Montauk Club, New York City The National Club, Toronto The National Democratic Club, Washington D.C. The Saskatoon Club, Saskatoon The Vancouver Club, Vancouver The Yale Political Union, New Haven*

Rest of World

The Abbottabad Club, Abbottabad The Bowring Institute, Bengaluru The Cape Town Club – Cape Town The Capital Club Dubai, Dubai The Foreign Correspondents Club, Hong Kong The King Hussein Club, Amman The Melbourne Savage Club, Melbourne The Rand Club, Johannesburg The Uruguay Club, Montevideo The Yokohama Country and Athletic Club, Yokohama

Europe (Outside UK)

The Business Club Hamburg, Hamburg The Buyuk Kulup Cercle D’Orient, Istanbul The Circolo Bononia, Bologna The Club International e.V., Leipzig The Grémio Literário, Lisboa The Residence Exclusive Club, Sofia The Union International Club, Frankfurt

Clubs indicated by an asterisk (*) are debating and free speech societies. 12

TREASURER’S

TREATS Our Treasurer’s Treats make sure you get the most out of your membership. We hope to continually grow this list over term - so keep your eye out for our weekly members emails and posts on our social media channels! If you have any questions, please get in touch at treasurer@cus.org.

Crepe Affair

30% discount on Thursday, 15% during the wee

Cambridge Rowing Experience

20% off on all experience days booked online, code shared via email.

Ryder and Amies

15% off online items, excluding gown/hire/blues blazers/academic dress

University Arms Hotel

The Hot Sausage Company 20% off for members

20% off all bookings. More info available at the cus.org Members’ Area.

The Engineer’s House

Orator

20% off on orders over £20

20% off for Union members

Hot Numbers

Scudamore’s Punting

30% off self-guided punts, 15% off guided tours

Jack’s Gelato

20% off, exclusively at the All Saints’ Passage location.

20% discount code for online purchases of coffee orders

Brasserie & Bar The Orator carries a legacy of hospitality spanning over two centuries. Located right behind the Round Church in the heart of Cambridge’s historic city centre, it can quickly shift from a relaxed weekday lunch or dinner destination, to a buzzing brasserie with a busy cocktail bar on weekends.

Welcome to The Orator; the home of spirited dining, drinking and debate. Whilst the brasserie and the bar are open to the public throughout the week, they are also a fantastic spot for all Cambridge Uni students.

IG: @theoratorcambridge

Cambirdge Union Society’s Life Membership entitles you to a 20% discount at The Orator, just bring your CUS Member’s ID card and show it to our helpful staff. 15

Debates

This House has no confidence in His Majesty’s Government This House Believes the 21st Century belongs to the Global South This House Would not fight for king and country This House believes popular culture has done more for Black liberation than legislation This House Believes technology has eroded democracy This House Believes politics owes nothing to history This House Believes the internet is the greatest threat to feminism This House Would prioritise defence over welfare spending This House Believes religion is incompatible with modernity

From Your Debates Officer

Anusha Salhan Honourable Members, In 1815, two debating societies in Cambridge found themselves engaged in rather more than a verbal disagreement over the state of British politics. From this clash, the Cambridge Union was born. For two centuries the Union has brought opposing ideas, and the people who hold them, together. At its best, debate is not about which argument prevails, it is about what happens when different convictions meet, challenge each other, sharpen each other and, occasionally, change each other. For those of you who do not know me, I am Anusha, your Executive Officer for Michaelmas and I have had the enormous privilege of putting together the Union’s debates programme. My own time at the Union began with the opening debate of Michaelmas last year. Sitting among the 450 members who had battled their way into the chamber that evening, I eventually plucked up the courage to offer a Point of Information. Admittedly, I remember little of the answer, but fondly remember being approached afterwards by members and committee I had never met, eager to discuss the motion and challenge me and, more importantly, continue the conversation. That evening taught me something about the Union which has stayed with me ever since: the most important debate is not always the one on the floor of the Chamber, but the debate beyond the debate. It is the conversation that is continued over a drink in the Orator afterwards, it is the question that is offered nervously from the backbenches, or the conversation between two people who entered the Chamber convinced of opposing positions and leave understanding each other better. This is the Union that I have tried to give voice to in this Term Card. This Michaelmas, I want our debates to ask questions without easy answers. We open, as we have since 1955, by taking stock of the state of British politics, opening with the question of confidence in His Majesty’s Government. We then turn outwards, asking who the twenty-first century will be defined by, and on what grounds. Then, for the first time at the Cambridge Union, we revisit an age-old question of patriotism, conscription and militarism with our King and Country motion at a moment when the meaning of nationalism is being contested. For Black History Month, taking inspiration from the seminal Baldwin-Buckley debate, we consider the power of culture, music and art alongside political and legal channels to assess the liberation movement. We ask whether technology has eroded democracy at a time when AI companies and technology conglomerates exercise great economic, social and

cultural influence. Then we turn to the question of how far the lessons and legacies of the past should constrain the decisions we make today, followed by a consideration of how feminism is threatened or transformed by technology. And finally, we put two of the largest responsibilities of the state - defence and welfare - head-to-head, asking where our priorities lie when a cost-of-living crisis at home meets an increasingly uncertain world abroad. I am also proud to introduce two new initiatives alongside the term card. Members’ Memos will bring the plurality of ideas that exist in the chamber to life, giving members the opportunity to submit their arguments during debate, which we will summarise and publish afterwards so the brightest minds can converse with the biggest voices. I have also acted on my commitment to have a student speaker on every side of every motion this term; I look forward to the auditions! We will also work more closely with student societies, including our PolSoc Question Time bringing Cambridge’s major political societies together, alongside events with ACS and societies across Cambridge. This is in an effort to pair the line up of our experienced speakers with the emerging voices and convictions of students at Cambridge and ARU. Now I would like to make an important stipulation - none of this term card is mine alone. Firstly, to my Debates Subcommittee who worked tirelessly through Exam term to make this term card possible. To Joe, Ben, and Zainab - I could not have asked for a better Committee with whom to share this term with. My very best wishes also go to Jake for Lent. To those who have come before me - Ted, Freddie, Jack, Chris, Ivan, Roberta and Freya - thank you for showing me how brilliant this place can be and how to bring out its best. To my friends - Felicia, Carl, Lorcan, Jake, Josh, Carter, Harry, Navya, Laila, Ava, Fatma - you have made my time at Cambridge. Finally, to my family: my mother, who taught me to be outspoken and principled, my father who taught me the best debate is accompanied by an even temper and to Suchir - whose footsteps I walk proudly in. The Union is, ultimately, an institution of continuity. We inherit it from those who came before us and hold it briefly for those who come after. A year on after I first nervously stood to offer a Point of Information, it is an extraordinary privilege to present the motions that this great House will debate. I hope this term brings spirited disagreement, unexpected conversations and, most importantly, the friendships that can only begin with an argument.

Anusha Salhan | Newnham Debates Officer, Michaelmas 2026

Michaelmas Term 2026

The First Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE: `

This House has no confidence in His Majesty’s Government

Opening the term with the No Confidence motion, we debate whether Andy Burnham’s new government inspires confidence in the Labour Party to continue to govern. We bring the most diverse political panel of previous no confidence votes, bringing together the Conservatives, Greens, Labour and think tanks to decide whether we should have confidence in a Burnham-led government.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Richard Holden MP Cllr Chloe Hawryluk

Seema Malhotra MP Joe Dromey

Thursday 8th October, 8pm

Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm 18

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Richard Holden MP

Seema Malhotra MP

First elected in 2019, Richard Holden was elected as the Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay in 2024. In July 2025, he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, having previously been the Shadow Paymaster General.

Seema Malhotra is the Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston and is a senior Labour Party Politician with primary interests in the economy, business and equalities. Between July 2024 and July 2026, she served as Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Minister for the Indo-Pacific and Minister for Equalities.

Cllr Chloe Hawryluk Cllr Chloe Hawryluk is a Green Party Councillor on the London Borough of Lambeth Council. At 23 years old, she is one of the youngest Councillors in London, elected just months after graduating from the University of Cambridge. A multi-award winner, Chloe was recently named as a UK-EU Emerging Leader, and has recently been nominated for Politician of the Year.

Joe Dromey Joe Dromey is General Secretary of the Fabian Society, a membership organisation and think tank, committed to building a fairer economy and a more equal society. Prior to joining the Fabians, Joe worked at leading think tanks, including IPPR and Learning and Work, and he led a partnership of London boroughs. He served as a Councillor and cabinet member in a London Borough for 7 years.

Student Speaker This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

The Second Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Believes

The 21st Century belongs to the Global South This motion asks whether the 21st century will be defined by a shift in global power away from the traditional dominance of Europe and North America towards the Global South. The debate considers whether emerging economic, demographic, political and cultural influence across Asia, Africa and Latin America will reshape the international order, or whether existing Western advantages in wealth, technology, institutions and military power will endure.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Hugh Miles Dr Maha Azzam

Jeremy Black Dr Samir Puri

Thursday 15th October, 8pm

Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm 20

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Hugh Miles

Jeremy Black

Hugh Miles is an award-winning journalist, author, and Middle East analyst. He has covered regional affairs for major outlets including the BBC, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and The Daily Telegraph. He is the founder of Arab Digest, a leading analysis platform on Middle Eastern affairs serving global institutions like the FCDO, UN, and top universities.

Jeremy Black is author of numerous books. He is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Exeter and a Senior Fellow both of the British Foreign Policy Group and of the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Black is a recipient of the Samuel Eliot Morison Prize from the Society for Military History.

Dr Samir Puri

Dr Maha Azzam

Dr Samir Puri served as director of Chatham House’s Centre for Global Governance and Security. His earlier posts include Senior Fellow at IISS-Asia in Singapore (2020-23); Lecturer in War Studies at King’s College London (2015-18); and as a diplomat in the UK Foreign Office (2009-15). He earned his PhD in international relations at Cambridge (Sidney Sussex).

Dr Maha Azzam is Head of the Egyptian Revolutionary Council and a longstanding advocate for democracy and human rights in the Middle East. A leading expert on the Middle East and political Islam, she was formerly a Fellow at Chatham House and headed the Programme on Security and Development in Muslim States at RUSI.

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

The Third Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Would

Not fight for king and country In a time where nationalism and citizenship are under question, this motion asks the age old question of if and when we have the obligation to fight for our country. The debate considers the obligations of citizenship, patriotism and collective defence against the individual’s right to refuse to kill or risk their life, particularly when they may disagree with the government, the cause of the conflict, or the institutions they are being asked to defend.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Paul Ingram

Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood Chris Parry

Thursday 22nd October, 8pm

Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm 22

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Paul Ingram

Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood

Paul Ingram is a consultant for nuclear disarmament diplomacy. He is co-Director of the Global Stability Network exploring tools of economic statecraft with the intention of establishing deeper mutual interdependence as a more credible alternative to mutual assured nuclear destruction. He is also Research Affiliate at Cambridge University’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk.

Tobias Ellwood is a former British Army officer, senior UK parliamentarian, and commentator on national security and foreign policy. He has served as Foreign Minister for the Middle East, Defence Minister, and Chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee.

Rear Admiral Chris Parry

TBC

Chris Parry runs his own strategic forecasting agency, dealing with geo-political and strategic issues, future warfare trends, and systemic risk. He also has a doctorate in organisational and behavioural psychology, is a regular geo-political commentator on broadcast and online media and is the resident expert on the highly popular, longrunning series, ‘History Undone’.

This speaker will be announced closer to the time

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

The Fourth Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Believes

Popular Culture has done more for Black liberation than legislation From the Baldwin v Buckley debate, the Union is no stranger to being at the fore of discussion about the Black Liberation movement. In this motion we discuss whether music, literature, film, sport and public debate have done more to transform Black consciousness, representation and social attitudes than legislation aimed at securing formal political and civil rights.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Chardine Taylor-Stone

Dr Carol Swain Tianna Johnson

Thursday 29th October, 8pm

Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm 24

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Chardine Taylor-Stone

Dr Carol Swain

Chardine Taylor-Stone FRSA is a musician, cultural producer, writer and educator whose work explores where subculture, music, politics, style and cultural history meet. Shaped by the revivalist scenes she now researches, she lectures on Black feminist histories, Afrofuturism, music subcultures, and Black involvement in the esoteric and the weird.

Dr. Carol Swain embodies the American Dream. Born into poverty in rural Southwest Virginia as one of twelve children and a junior high dropout, she rose through determination, intellect, and grit to earn five advanced degrees, including a Master of Studies in Law from Yale. She achieved early tenure at Princeton and full professorship at Vanderbilt as Professor of Political Science and Law. `

TBC

Tianna Johnson is a screenwriter, essayist, cultural organiser and archivist. She is the youngest recipient of a Brit List placement (2021), has worked as a reader for BBC Films, and is writing the audio drama Obeah for Audible. From 2018 to 2023 she founded and directed Black Girls Camping Trip, a national programme that received national press coverage.

Tianna Johnson

This speaker will be announced closer to the time

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

The Fifth Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Believes

Technology has Eroded Democracy From the printing press and television to social media, artificial intelligence and algorithmic politics, technology has continually transformed how citizens engage with power. This motion asks whether today’s technologies have ultimately weakened democracy through misinformation, surveillance, polarisation and concentrated corporate power, or strengthened it by expanding access to information, political participation, accountability and the ability of ordinary citizens to organise.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Fazl Barez Dr Tomasz Hollanek James He

Dr Maya Indira Ganesh Dr Gina Neff Dr Jonnie Penn

Thursday 5th November, 8pm

Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm 26

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Dr Maya Indira Ganesh

Fazl Barez

Dr Maya Indira Ganesh is an Assistant Research Professor and Associate Director (Research Partnerships) at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI) at the University of

Fazl Barez is a Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford, where he leads the Technical Safety & Governance (TSG) Lab and serves as Technical Director of the AI Governance Initiative.

Prof. Gina Neff

Dr Tomasz Hollanek

Prof. Gina Neff is the Professor of Responsible AI at Queen Mary University of London. She runs the Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy at the University of Cambridge.

Dr Tomasz Hollanek is an Assistant Research Professor at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, working at the intersection of AI ethics, critical design, and human-AI interaction.

Dr Jonnie Penn

James He

Dr Jonnie Penn, FRSA, is Co-Director and Associate Teaching Professor of AI Ethics and Society at the University of Cambridge. He is a historian of technology, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and public speaker.

James He is co-founder and CEO of Artificial Societies, an applied computational social science company based in London that’s building foundational models of human societies.

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

The Sixth Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Believes

Politics owes nothing to History From the legacies of empire and slavery to ancient territorial claims and inherited national rivalries, history continues to shape modern politics. This motion asks whether governments and societies should move beyond historical grievances and obligations when making decisions today, or whether understanding and addressing the injustices of the past remains essential to creating legitimate policy, resolving conflict and determining what is owed in the present.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Graham Stewart Lord Tony Sewell

Baron John Alderdice

Thursday 12th November, 8pm Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm 28

FOR THE NOES

FOR THE AYES

Lord Alderdice

Graham Stewart

Baron John Alderdice is a Northern Irish politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly for Belfast East. He served as Leader of the Alliance Party during the Good Friday Agreement and became the inaugural speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. He was made a Life Peer in 1996 where he currently sits as a Liberal Democrat.

Graham Stewart is Editor of The Critic and Senior Research Fellow in Twentieth-Century British History at the Humanities Research Institute of the University of Buckingham. A historian, journalist and author, he has written six books on British political and media history.

Lord Sewell

TBC

Born in Brixton, Lord Sewell CBE PhD is an internationally respected author, educator, and commentator. His charity ‘Generating Genius’ has helped hundreds of young Britons to forge careers in STEM. In July 2020, he was appointed Chair of the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities: the Sewell Report made him the target of a cancellation effort by his critics.

This speaker will be announced closer to the time

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

The Seventh Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Believes

The internet is the greatest threat to feminism From #MeToo and online feminist movements to the manosphere, deepfakes and increasingly polarised debates over gender, the internet has transformed the fight for women’s equality. This motion asks whether online spaces now represent the greatest threat to feminism by amplifying misogyny, harassment and harmful gender norms, or whether the internet remains one of feminism’s most powerful tools for organising, solidarity and challenging inequality.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

TBC

Dana Denis-Smith OBE

Thursday 19th November, 8pm Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm 30

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Dana Denis-Smith OBE

TBC

Dana Denis-Smith OBE is a prominent legal sector leader, serving as CEO of Obelisk Support and founder of the First 100 Years campaign. She founded Obelisk Support in 2010, providing flexible legal solutions for clients. The First 100 Years campaign, launched in 2014, led the celebrations surrounding the centenary of women in law and has now evolved into Next 100 Years.

This speaker will be announced closer to the time

TBC

This speaker will be announced closer to the time

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

The Eighth Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Would

Prioritise defence over welfare spending Two of the greatest pressures on the public purse are the need to protect citizens from threats abroad and support them through insecurity at home. As governments face tighter budgets and growing demands on both, this motion asks where their first responsibility lies: strengthening defence and national security, or protecting welfare and the social safety net.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Mark Francois MP Tom Sharpe

Oli Dugmore

Thursday 26th November, 8pm Hustings begin at 7:00pm 32

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Mark Francois MP

Oli Dugmore

Mark Francois has been the Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford since 2001. Since being in Parliament, he has served as Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans and as Minister for the Armed Forces. He served on the backbenches for several years, including on the Defence Select Committee, before returning under Kemi Badenoch as Shadow Armed Forces Minister.

Oli Dugmore is a journalist and broadcaster who has been the executive digital editor of the New Statesman since 2025. He has appeared frequently on UK television as political commentator, and is a radio presenter on LBC with a weekly slot.

Tom Sharpe TBC

Tom Sharpe is a communications consultant who specialises in enhancing and protecting reputations in complex and contested environments. His clients have included government departments, ministers, ambassadors, quasi-state entities, and private sector companies of all sizes, both in the UK and abroad.

This speaker will be announced closer to the time

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

The Presidential Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Believes

Religion is incompatible with modernity This debate explores what religion means for us today, and whether its mission to uphold universal values of equality and respect can survive in an age when that mission is increasingly being thwarted for divisive purposes.

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Peter Tatchell

Joe Hesketh Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin

Thursday 3rd December, 8pm 34

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Peter Tatchell

Joe Hesketh

Peter Tatchell has been campaigning for human rights, democracy, environmental protection, global justice and LGBT+ liberation since 1967. A long-time opponent of the monarchy and supporter of an elected head of state, he was the defeated Labour candidate in the notorious 1983 Bermondsey by-election. He is Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

Joe Hesketh is the outgoing President of the Cambridge Union. Whenever he is not chairing JCR meetings, Union debates, or otherwise busy being 5’11’’, he studies History at Fitzwilliam College.

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin

TBC

The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the Bishop of Dover and has oversight for the Canterbury Diocese. She has previously served as a Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth III. In 2010 she became the 79th Chaplain to the Speaker, the first woman in the role.

This speaker will be announced closer to the time

Student Speaker

This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.

Michaelmas Term 2026

211th Anniversaty Debate

MOTION FOR DEBATE:

This House Would

Have Eaten The Apple

PROPOSITION

OPPOSITION

Daniel Zeichner MP Charlotte Ivers Melanie McDonagh

Mary Hockaday Lord Chris Smith Lord Peter Lillet

Saturday 24th Octo, 8pm 36

FOR THE AYES

FOR THE NOES

Mary Hockaday

Daniel Zeichner MP

After a distinguished career at the BBC, in 2022 Mary Hockaday became Master of Trinity Hall. For a year before moving to Cambridge, she was Acting Director of BBC World Service, serving audiences in 42 languages, and before that Controller BBC World Service English for several years, growing audiences and creatively refreshing the network.

Daniel Stephen Zeichner is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Member of Parliament for Cambridge since 2015. He served as Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs from 2024 to 2025.

Charlotte Ivers

Lord Chris Smith

Charlotte Ivers is The Sunday Times’s TV critic. She also writes about everything from politics to sport to fashion, and has interviewed Kemi Badenoch, Idris Elba and Pamela Anderson, among others. Previously, she was restaurant critic for The Sunday Times magazine, and even more previously she was a radio reporter and producer.

Lord Chris Smith was elected as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in July last year. He read English at Pembroke College, and completed a PhD on Wordsworth and Coleridge. He was President of the Union in Michaelmas 1972. He was also the Labour MP for Islington South & Finsbury from 1983 to 2005, and was Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport from 1997 to 2001. He is currently also the Chair of the

Melanie McDonagh

Lord Peter Lilley

Melanie McDonagh is an Irish journalist working in London, writing for papers including The Spectator and the Telegraph. She works for the Evening Standard where she is books editor, columnist and art critic. Her book on Converts was published last year by Yale University Press. She is a former president of the Cambridge Union and read history at New Hall; her PhD at Cambridge is on medieval history. 37

Graduated in Natural Sciences followed by Economics in 1965. After working on development projects in developing countries, he joined a leading City firm advising on investment in energy, becoming a Partner. Elected to Parliament in 1983, he became a Treasury Minister in 1987, served in the Cabinets of Mrs Thatcher and John Major as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, then for Social Security.

FLOOR SPEECH

PRIZES Week 1: Ryder and Amies, custom puffer free ice cream scoops from Jack’s Week 2: 10Gelato

Week 3: Ticket to Union ball Week 4: Fitzbillies Voucher Week 5: Gin-making class for 2 Week 6: 5 Aromi Pizza vouchers Week 7: 5 Aromi Pasta vouchers Week 8: 5 Aromi Patisserie vouchers 38

Post-Debate Food & Drink Join us in the Orator after each debate on Thursdays for chips and themed cocktails!

Speakers

His Excellency Mr Hiroshi Suzuki Etymology Nerd

Sir Patrick Vernon OBE Dan Jones Alice Loxton Jyoty Sir John Curtice

Simon Squibb Sir James Dyson

From Your Speakers Officer

Benjamin Pearce

I doubt the anxious history fresher scurrying into the no confidence debate one year ago would have believed that he would be writing to you as Speakers Officer. After a year spending many magical hours at the Cambridge Union, debating, chatting, laughing and so much more, it is my pleasure to introduce my speakers’ term card. In this term card, I have tried to combine the recognisable and entertaining with the thoughtful and nuanced by inviting a series of world-defining personalities. Starting with Sir Patrick Vernon to discuss how leadership can bring a more equal and just world, we shall then delve into the past with renowned public historian Dan Jones. 24 hours later we have another rising historical star Alice Loxton who has risen to fame on Instagram as History Alice. Branching out into music, we have Jyoty, a DJ and creative inspiring a new generation of performers. In the second half of term the inspirational businessman and influencer Simon Squibb talks about his dreams, while we will also hear from the political genius that is Britain’s favourite pollster Sir John Curtice. We shall also hear from Ambassador Suzuki about his thoughts on diplomacy in our changing world. The wonderful Etymology Nerd shall discuss the importance of language and the dangers of AI for our culture. To end the term, have a panel on Euthanasia to delve into the ethics of a debate that inspires passion across society.

Like many term cards before it, it was built by a brilliant and dedicated team. A massive thank you to my subcommittee for the many hours you gave in Easter Term. My particular thanks to Joe, Anusha and Zainab, for being a collaborative team, giving great advice. To the appointed officers, thank you for your commitment and support across terms, the Union really couldn’t survive without you. To my successor Ethan and my predecessor Freddie, thanks for your constant dedication and passion for the Union and good luck with your exciting new roles. To all my other friends both within the Union and outside, thanks for being such uplifting presences in my life. My journey at the Union has been a rewarding one that I shall cherish long after I leave Cambridge. To all who are considering joining, there will always be time for degrees later; the speakers we host are truly remarkable individuals so why not come and join us for an event that catches your eye?

Benjamin Pearce | Emmanuel Speakers Officer, Michaelmas 2026

Fireside Chat

Tuesday 13th October 6pm

Sir Patrick Vernon Social Campaigner

Sir Patrick Vernon is a campaigner, social commentator, cultural historian and senior publicsector leader whose work over four decades has focused on racial justice, health inequalities, mental health, cultural heritage and the rights of the Windrush generation. He was knighted in 2026 for services to racial equality and social justice. Born and raised in Wolverhampton to Jamaican parents, Patrick grew up against the political backdrop of Enoch Powell, the National Front and the struggle of Black communities for recognition and belonging. His career has included senior leadership roles in the public sector including Chair of NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, and Associate Director at the Centre for Ageing Better. He is currently Pro-Chancellor for Health at the University of Wolverhampton and chairs the Hackney Thinking Spaces Community Advisory Board, supporting work on racial inequality, community trauma and institutional change. Patrick led the campaign for a national Windrush Day, which was formally adopted by the UK Government in 2018, and founded the 100 Great Black Britons campaign. Patrick is the author of 100 Great Black Britons and co-editor of Black Grief and Healing. His forthcoming work, Sufferation: The Politics of Black Mental Health, explores the relationship between racism, history, trauma, mental health and the Black British experience. Patrick brings together his experience of grassroots campaigning and community activism with leadership in major public institutions. His work asks a central question: what does leadership look like when equality is not simply an aspiration, but a requirement for justice, dignity and belonging? 42

Fireside Chat

Monday 26th October 6pm

Dan Jones Historian

Dan Jones is a bestselling historian, TV presenter and award-winning journalist. His nonfiction books, which have sold more than a million copies worldwide, include the Sunday Times bestsellers The Plantagenets, The Templars, Powers and Thrones and Henry V. His fiction includes the acclaimed Essex Dogs trilogy, set during the Hundred Years War, concluding with Lion Hearts. Dan has written and presented numerous TV series including Secrets of Great British Castles, Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty: The Plantagenets and London: 2000 Years of History. He writes and hosts the Sony Music podcast This is History. For a decade Dan was a weekly columnist for the London Evening Standard; he has also contributed to dozens of newspapers and magazines worldwide, including the New York Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph and Spectator. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces.

Fireside Chat

Tuesday 27th October 6pm

Alice Loxton Author and Presenter

Alice Loxton is a bestselling author, historian and presenter, with more than three million followers on social media (@history_alice). She is passionate about bringing history to new audiences and has worked with organisations including The National Trust, The Royal Academy, English Heritage, The National Gallery, Tate, The King’s Foundation, and 10 Downing Street. In 2025 Alice judged The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and is on the judging panel for Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2026. Alice is the author of three bestselling books, including Eleanor: A 200-Mile Walk in Search of England’s Lost Queen and Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives, which was named Blackwell’s Book of the Year in 2024.

Fireside Chat

Wednesday 28th October 6pm

Jyoty DJ and Producer Jyoty is an acclaimed DJ, radio host and producer, whose talent has led to sold-out concerts at London’s Alexandra Palace, the O2 Academy Brixton and her own stage at Glastonbury. Rising from working the doors at Boiler Room events to becoming a globally touring DJ and beloved Rinse FM host, Jyoty represents a new generation of selectors whose careers have been built through taste, community, and genuine connection. Her viral Boiler Room set and acclaimed radio shows have made her a defining figure in underground dance music. Alongside having sold out tours across Europe, North America and Australia, Jyoty represents an important voice on representation and access within creative industries. She has used her platform to mentor aspiring DJs and advocate for greater diversity within electronic music culture. Her career has demonstrated how authenticity, personality, and community-building can become as important as technical perfection in the digital era. She speaks to the realities of building a career through radio, nightlife, and online platforms simultaneously, the changing role of DJs as cultural curators, and the pressures and possibilities of becoming a visible South Asian woman in global club culture.

Fireside Chat

Tuesday 3rd November 6pm

Sir John Curtice Statistician

Professor Sir John Curtice is Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland, and Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the ESRC’s ‘The UK in a Changing Europe’ initiative. He has written extensively about voting behaviour in elections and referendums in the UK, as well as on British political and social attitudes more generally. He was co-director of the British Election Study between 1983 and 1997. He has been a co-editor of NatCen’s annual British Social Attitudes reports since 1994 and is a regular contributor to British and international media coverage of politics in the UK, including as a member of the BBC’s election night team. He was President of the British Polling Council between 2008 and 2024. Curtice is Chief Commentator at two websites, whatscotlandthinks. org and whatukthinks.org/eu, that provide a comprehensive collection of materials on public attitudes towards (i) how Scotland should be governed, and (ii) the UK’s relationship with the EU. He is a Fellow of the British Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Academy of the Social Sciences and the Political Studies Association. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society and the Market Research Society.

Fireside Chat

Date TBC

His Excellency Mr Hiroshi Suzuki Ambassador of Japan

His Excellency Mr Hiroshi Suzuki has been Ambassador of Japan to the UK since November 2024, having served as Ambassador of Japan to India and the Kingdom of Bhutan. Previously, he served the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as his Private Secretary for 7 years and 7 months, as Senior Deputy Foreign Minister. He entered the Japanese Foreign Service in 1985, and served in Washington DC, Rome, Tehran, Kabul, Seoul, London and Delhi. This is his second posting in London. He graduated from University of Tokyo (BA in law, 1985) and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (MA, 1988).

Fireside Chat

Tuesday 10th November 6pm

Etymology Nerd Linguist and Content Creator

Adam Aleksic is a linguist, author, and influencer best known for posting as “The Etymology Nerd” to over three million followers online. He has written for the New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Financial Times, and his NYT bestselling book “Algospeak” examines how social media is changing language. Adam has a linguistics degree from Harvard University, where he served as the president of the Harvard Undergraduate Linguistics Society. He is a TED speaker, has lectured at dozens of leading universities, and is writing a new book on how AI is changing our sense of reality.

Fireside Chat

Tuesday 17th November 6pm

Simon Squibb Entrepreneur

Simon Squibb is an entrepreneur and investor who helps people build meaningful businesses. He’s best known for founding HelpBnk and for his Sunday Times bestselling book What’s Your Dream?, which urges people to start before they feel ready. He’s not your typical entrepreneur: When Simon was 15, his father died and he found himself homeless. To survive, he started his first company: a gardening business. Thirty years on, he’s founded 19 companies and invested in more than 78 startups. Today he has more than 25 million followers, drawn to his Give Without Take movement and the street interviews where he asks strangers one question: What’s Your Dream?

Hawking Fellow

Friday 20th November 6pm

Sir James Dyson Inventor and Founder of Dyson

Sir James Dyson is an inventor, businessman and philanthropist, best known for inventing the world’s first bagless vacuum cleaner. He studied art at the Byam Shaw School of Art before moving to study furniture and interior design at the Royal College of Art in London. Following this, he founded Dyson, a problemsolving, technology-led company which is present in 85 markets around the world. Its research interests now span robotics, AI, machine learning, solid-state battery development, material science and high-speed electric motors. In 2002, he founded the James Dyson Foundation which challenges misconceptions about engineering and encourages young people to pursue careers in the science and engineering field. From 2011 to 2017, he served as Provost of the Royal College of Art. In 2017, James founded the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, based on the Dyson campus in Malmesbury. The institute offers a new form of degree, in which school leavers study while undertaking a full-time salaried role in Dyson’s engineering team. James was awarded a CBE in 1998 and knighted in 2007. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2015, and in the 2016 New Year Honours was appointed to the Order of Merit – the highest honour and the only one within Queen Elizabeth’s personal gift.

Panel

The right to die Following the failure of the assisted dying bill in the House of Lords, we at the Union believe that this debate is not over. Now, more than ever, we believe that we at the Union should facilitate this. We would like to reflect on euthanasia, its implementation and the practicality of passing a new bill. We are committed to hosting a really open and reflective discussion on the ethics of assisted dying, especially in respect to the role of the legal system in ensuring it protects vulnerable people. We do not wish to come to a binary conclusion about whether assisted dying should be legalised but want to expand the debate to a broader audience.

Aneez Esmail Aneez Esmail is an Emeritus Professor of General Practice at the University of Manchester. He has experience as a researcher, teacher and clinician. He was commended by the Health Service Journal in 2014, as one of the top 100 Clinical Leaders in the NHS and received the Lifetime Award for Achievement in General Practice in 2017 from the publishers of Pulse Magazine. He is currently a board member of Dignity in Dying, an organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying.

Nathan Stilwell Nathan Stilwell is Chair of the Assisted Dying Coalition, a board member of My Death, My Decision, and the assisted dying lead for Humanists UK. He has spent the past five years campaigning for assisted dying reform, giving evidence to parliaments in Jersey, the Isle of Man and across the UK. He advocates for a compassionate, evidence-based approach that balances individual autonomy with robust safeguards. He believes that adults facing terminal illness or intolerable, incurable suffering should have the right to choose an assisted death , alongside access to high-quality care.

Sarah Olney Sarah Olney is the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park and serves as the party’s Business Spokesperson. She has represented Richmond Park since December 2019, having previously held the seat from 2016 to 2017, and now sits on both the Public Accounts Committee and the Public Accounts Commission. Over the course of her Parliamentary career, she has held several frontbench roles for the Liberal Democrats, including Treasury, Cabinet Office, Transport and Business briefs. Sarah voted against the Terminally Ill (Adults) End of Life Bill, and scrutinised the Bill in detail during the Committee Stage.

Rob Marris Rob Marris was born and raised in Wolverhampton, in the constituency he later represented. Aged 18, he emigrated alone to Canada, to take up a full scholarship to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where he obtained a Double First in Sociology & History, and an MA in History. Returning to the UK, he qualified as a solicitor, becoming a partner in the trade union law firm Thompson’s. From 2001 to 2010, and from 2015 to 2017, he was Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West. In September 2015, his Private Members Bill on assisted dying was defeated 3:1. He is a lifelong atheist.

Wednesday 2nd December, 6pm 51

Social Events

From Your Social Events Officer

Zainab Khan I first joined the Union in my first year as Welfare Officer, with no particular expectation that I would still be here a few years and several committees later. It has, however, become one of the most memorable parts of my time at Cambridge, and I’m very excited to be returning this term as Social Events Officer and Union Ball President!

Yet none of this would have been possible without the enthusiasm and creativity of my subcommittee, who have worked tirelessly to bring our events to life and fill the term with their ideas and energy. Equally, I owe a huge amount of gratitude to the Union Ball Committee for their hard work, dedication and willingness to take on what is, admittedly, a rather ambitious event. A special thank you, too, to our President Joe, whose dry humour and unwavering support have made working alongside him a real honour. My deepest thanks extend to my fellow officers, Anusha and Ben, who have been an invaluable source of support, and of course a very heartfelt thank you to the entirety of Standing Committee for their continued commitment to the Union.

We start the term with our Freshers’ Social, aimed at introducing new students to the Union and creating a welcoming space for Freshers to meet new people, explore the building and settle into Cambridge. We then turn to a much-loved Union tradition President’s Tea, where you can enjoy some tea with our President and raise any questions you might have. The Union then brings 1920s glamour into the Library with our Black Tie Jazz Night, transforming the space for an evening of live jazz and an atmosphere of timeless elegance. Lastly, we have our Winter Ceilidh, where you can join us for an evening of dancing, live music and questionable coordination - a suitably lively way to end the term!

I’m looking forward to seeing you all this term - preferably at an event, or on the dance floor, and preferably before the term gets the better of us!

The Union is renowned for its Balls, and this year, for the first time, we’ve merged the Freshers’ Masquerade Ball with the Union ball, bringing you one spectacular event. The characteristic grandeur of the Union is reimagined through an enchanting fairytale theme, creating an evening of glamour and spectacle. Get ready for a night to remember, with waltzes, live music, entertainment and a Zainab Khan | Homerton Social Events Officer, Michaelmas 2026 little bit of magic…

Members’ (Hawking) Room with complimentary tea & coffee 56

Th eC ha mb er

Wednesday 21st May 6:30pm Members’ Room 58

IG: @theoratorcambridge

Cambirdge Union Society’s Life Membership entitles you to a 20% discount at The Orator, just bring your CUS Member’s ID card and show it to our helpful staff. 59

STANDING COMMITTEE President

Joe Hesketh | Fitzwilliam

Vice President

Freddie Bishop | Newnham

Treasurer

Communications Officer

Jasper Burnside | St John’s

Navya Sharma Tyagali | King’s

Speakers Officer

Executive Officer

Benjamin Pearce | Emmanuel

Anusha Salhan | Newnham

Equalities Officer

Social Events Officer

TBC

Zainab Khan | Homerton

Competitive Debating Officers

Clara Ballantyne | Corpus Christi Anoushka Sood | Queens’

O F F I C E R S - E L E C T Social Events Officer-Elect

President-Elect

Giancarlo Mempouo | Jesus

Ted Yip | Christ’s

Executive Officer-Elect

Speakers Officer-Elect

Jake Hopkins | Sidney Sussex

Ethan Lee | Hughes Hall

Image Credits: Nordin Ćatić, Faron Smith

FULL COMMITTEE SENIOR MEMBERS Secretary

Membership & Alumni

Access & Outreach

Librarian’s Committee

Cassandra Temple | Lucy Cavendish

Dorrian Turner | Peterhouse Juan-Jose Gomez | Hughes Hall Juliette Chabanal | Murray Edwards

Alice Jackson | Trinity Ruiyu Peng | Lucy Cavendish Esha Din | Homerton

Photography Head: Nordin Catic | St John’s William Blaksley-Herbert Timothy Lambden | Girton 61

Social Events Committee Nika Neely | Peterhouse Syna Jain | Lucy Cavendish Manel Bensada | Pembroke Oscar Venables | Homerton

Sophie Hannigan| St Johns Giovanni Lacroix | Christs

STAFF Bursar and Clerk to the Union: John Brown General Manager: Bart Fajer Membership Secretary & Office Supervisor: Laura Tildesley Finance Manager: Patience Tilbury Account Assistant: Ella Cairns Events & Sales Manager: Ben Keen Events Coordinator: Raquel Davila Restaurant & Catering Manager: Chris Woollin Restaurant and Events Supervisors: Ella Hicks and Nat Dubrowska Head Chef: Nahan Bush Sous Chef: Josh Randall Head Waiter: Nat Dubrowska Marketing Manager: Freya Thompson Audio and Visual Manager: Chris Izatt Site Supervisor: Chris Porter Housekeeping: Lucia Cretu and Monika Gawron Ministers without portfolio: Sky, Moss, Zeke, Bruce, Bonnie, Dixie, Gideon

TRUSTEES Chair: Rachel Green David Robinson Joe Hesketh Freddie Bishop Philip Harrison David Branch Gillian Tett Elisabeth Kendall Graham Virgo The Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Sarah Nathan Angela Broughton

REVIEW COMMITTEE Chair: Jay Blanchard Lewis Alex Forzani Nick Wright Sam Longton Rachel Tustin Freddie Dyke Imran Mateo Alasdair Donovan Alycia Leach Emaan Ullah Jungmin Seo

President's Thanks This term card was brought to you by more people than I could ever fit on this page. I first heard of the Union by word of mouth, from Karina, our Equalities Officer this time 2 years ago. Ignoring the groans of her friends in a house barbecue, she patiently answered my endless questions about joining the society, and what it means to be part of such a community. I think it’s fair to say this was a particularly successful sales pitch, and I remain very grateful for her guidance throughout this whole journey. I then entered the chamber for the first time with Carys, George and Sam. Exploring the building together sparked my interest in this place; they are also responsible for taking a rather fateful picture of Munya Chawawa and I, which inspired me to stick to this path. While I am sure they are sick of Union-talk at this point, I thank them for making that first term in the building so special.

But then of course, where would I be without my Standing Committee? I am the first President to be elected through a by-election. Because of this, for a few weeks Anusha, Ben and Zainab were thrown into their respective roles without anyone leading the committee. Despite this, they immediately took on their responsibilities without a moment of hesitation. Throughout the last months they have shown nothing but an unwavering commitment towards this society and its members; I have truly never been so grateful to a group of people, and am very proud to have worked alongside them. Jasper, our Treasurer, has been a real stabilising force within our committee over this process. Dependable as always, I am incredibly thankful for everything he has done to keep us moving forward, and for the good sense and warmth he brings to the team.

But my sister is the reason I am in this position. One of the cleverest people I know, with the strongest moral compass, Becca is the real backbone of this termcard. Only through our endless conversations about what is and what is not tolerable within the building could this term could be created and delivered. I could not have asked for a better person to have beside me through it all.

Dorrian has taken the role of Membership and Alumni Office with more energy and enthusiasm than I could ever ask. For being such a reliable force to count on in creating the 211th Anniversary Debate, and taking on every task with such optimism, I am immensely appreciative. It is efforts like his over the holidays which keeps our alumni network alive and thriving.

I am also particularly excited to thank my friends Abby, Aidain, Aiya, Rares, and Rian (in alphabetical order, before Rares makes a fuss) for being a real anchor throughout this whole journey. I have seriously never met a group of people so supportive and caring, despite being unable to tell them anything about this project for the past 6 months. None of this would have been possible without them.

It’s been a long holiday indeed, and I could not have navigated it without my Vice Presidents, Freddie and Heemie, or my JCR Vice President Rosa. After countless calls at ridiculous hours, hopping across a seemingly endless stream of Google Meets links, I can confidently say these are the most cool-headed and capable people I

have ever had the pleasure to work with. I would not be in this position if not for these people, and I am enormously grateful for everything they have done.

mention the help of Faron and Abby (again) in this process, formatting the illustrations and texts.

Ultimately, this society thrives because of the undying curiosity of its members. The Chamber is So much of what makes this place feel alive now nothing without the atmosphere generated by those happens beyond the Chamber. Communications who fill it, and I hope that this termcard gives you and social media strategy over this past month something to consider, something to challenge, and has been handled by Navya, Ethan and Harriet. I something to remember after the term is over. am extremely grateful for a team so enthusiastic Finally, I would like to thank the Olisa Library, the about keeping our socials fresh and consistent – it US Office, YT, and the rest of my family for bringing is precisely what keeps this place current. this term to life. I would be seriously lost without you Christopher Lorde. No words needed. all. The Cambridge Union, and its ability to deliver events, is entirely up to the work of So that is, at least in part, the Michaelmas team. We subcommittees and Full Committee. To everyone are all delighted to meet you this term. who has given up their evenings and weekends to help make these events happen, thank you. Yours as ever, A termcard is only the visible product of an enormous amount of work that happens behind the scenes, and we would be nowhere without you all. Joe Hesketh | Fitzwilliam

The Orator staff every term prove themselves to President, Michaelmas 2026 make up one of the most reliable and supportive teams a student could ask for. Whether it’s Chris Izaat sprinting through the building, or John, Bart and Clare conjuring up solutions to whatever problem has appeared that day, the effort put in by the staff is seen all throughout the building. With the compassionate guidance of our Board of Trustees, who are always eager to ensure every member is properly welcomed and supported, I have never doubted that our institution is in the safest of hands. I wanted Lois (@loistattoopage) to take charge of the artwork for this termcard because she is the most talented illustrative artist I know. No doubt, I am delighted with how this has turned out, and this termcard is testament to her immense creative skill and ability to adapt to any task, no matter how ambitious. This is, of course, not to

With thanks to: Term Card Design & Assembly Faron Smith & Christopher Lorde Cover, Section and Debates Artwork Lois Page (@loistattoopage) Facilities Illustrations Dan Cohn-Sherbok

the

Cambridgeestablished Union 1815 ..... Michaelmas 2026

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