““I don’t care, I don’t need a seconder. My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.”
Easter is Cambridge at its best: Sunny afternoons in Grantchester, Bacchanalia on Jesus Green, exams looming, then conquered. While intense and occasionally stressful, it is always lively. Serving as President of the Union whilst simultaneously sitting finals is certainly a particular kind of madness. And yet, as I soak in the fenland sun for the last time, I can think of no more fitting an end than the privilege of leading an institution which captures the spirit of this place like no other. Be it in the depths of revision or the highs of May week, know that our doors are open to you, and that in our two hundred and eleventh year, Easter is as lively as ever.
Nowhere embodies that liveliness more than in our debates. Our historic Chamber - dispatch boxes and all - is a long way from the backroom of a pub where our first debates were held, yet the idea remains very much the same. This term’s programme is centred around putting orthodoxy on trial to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding many of the most consequential questions of our time: billionaires, NATO, AI, modern LGBTQ+ activism, and Thatcher. Where else could you find a former British ambassador sharing a bench with a German anti-NATO firebrand? Within these debates, the stakes are real; it is an honour to host a leading voice from Ukraine to debate NATO’s future. We will also play host to those who have held power, and those who will go on to shape its exercise in the future: from the former First Minister of Wales, to prominent intellectuals moulding the future of partisan politics.
Our speakers’ programme will bring names from the pinnacles of music, sport, and politics to our historic Chamber and Library. Come and listen to a live performance from the most-streamed classical composer of all time, a perfect way to de-stress at the start of term, or relive England’s triumphant summers with two-time Euro winner Alessia Russo. It is a particular honour to be joined by the Russian dissident and former Chief of Staff to Alexei Navalny, Leonid Volkov, whose activism speaks to the values of our society. Be it an award-winning photojournalist, the granddaughter of a Soviet leader, or a chart-topping DJ, there is something for everyone in this term’s speaker events.
I am sure socials are not what jump to mind when one thinks of Easter Term, however, I subscribe to the maxim “work hard, play harder”, and play harder the Union shall. Our flagship garden party will take you to Miami-on-Cam for
five sun-soaked hours of free-flowing drinks and food. If cerulean gets you excited, we have just the event for you, with CUCFS collaborating to launch their zine, Devil Wears Prada style. If you didn’t think the Union could get more camp, think again: on the 16th of May, Europe’s (supposedly) finest musical numbers shall grace our Chamber for our now-annual Eurovision watch party. For the career-minded, we are lucky to be joined by one of Britain’s leading think tanks for a networking event, liberal in both drinks and politics.
Whilst Easter is undoubtedly demanding, I really do believe what the late Joan Rivers once said: “We wanted to do it, and we did it, and we don’t give a damn.” That is the spirit I hope the Union will embody, rooted in the belief that chance favours the bold. I would encourage everyone to get involved and take every opportunity you can. Our guiding free speech values are underpinned by plucky men and women who don’t just sit silently but shout loudly. We remain, as we have been since 1815, a raucous marketplace of ideas and for that I will make no apologies. The Union is at its best when conversations don’t end in our Chamber, but make it to The Orator, to your gyp, or even the Van of Life; in an age of easy certainties, come to the Union and find the courage to be difficult.
Yours with Gratitude,
Jack Peters | Gonville and Caius President, Easter 2026
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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. This 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 dispatch box.
As we enter Easter 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.
Heemie Comrie | St John’s Vice President-Designate, 2026-27
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!
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!
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
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!
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 Easter, our members can also ballot to meet individual speakers at the preevent drinks receptions! Keep your eyes on our social media pages, Facebook members’ page, and weekly members’ email for details on speaker ballots throughout Lent.
You can also get involved by joining our committees and we have lots of them! We recruit for Full Committee, Speakers’ Subcommittee, Debates Subcommittee, Social Events Subcommittee, and Ball Committees.
Look out on our social media and emails to be notified when applications open each term - applications for subcommittees open shortly ahead of each term. Do apply - you won’t regret it!
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 have 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!
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, Erin and Lily. 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 and by the staircase in the Chamber.
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 dependents, 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 on 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 the Chamber doors or through Reception. They can also be lifted over the stairs of the chamber fire doors (it is only a few steps on either side). Event Managers are on duty to help with this.
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 needs. It is possible to sit and ‘queue’ on the sofas in the reception area upon arrangement. If you arrive before the number of people queueing exceeds a full chamber, you will get one of our accessibility-reserved seats (the back benches). If you come after the number of people queueing is greater than the number 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.
We offer a range of discounted memberships, depending on financial need. Our lowest band of access memberships begin at £90 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 the most out of your membership. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our access team: access@cus.org.
We also offer various scholarships that entitle you to a lifetime membership of the Cambridge Union, free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors. Applicants will be chosen primarily on the basis of financial need, along with their ability to demonstrate an interest in the Union. Keep your eyes on our social media channels for when we releasepplication form at the start of each academic year.
You can contact us at any time by emailing welfare@cus.org with any concerns or complaints. We can support members, signpost useful resources, and provide assistance during complaints processes.
A Welfare Officer will always be on duty and available to speak to at events involving sensitive content. Just ask a member of the Union Committee, and they will be able to point you in the right direction.
We will also be running two drop-in sessions this term:
Friday 8 May 2026
Union Snooker Room
10am–12pm
Friday 22 May 2026 These sessions are open to all members. You are welcome to come along if you would like to raise a concern, talk through a worry, ask a question, or simply use the space as a quiet place to study or take a break. Snacks will be provided!
The Orator provides anti-drink-spiking covers upon request. In addition, if you ever feel unsafe, you can ask for Angela at our bar. A member of bar staff will understand that you need help and will assist you as necessary.
Your Welfare Team
Head of Welfare: Katy Derby Welfare Officers: Efe Imoyin-Omene, Kaleem Azmat Chattha, and Emily Clack
The FairfaxRhodes Reading Room
I first joined the Union as part of the Events Management team during my first term. Coming from a Jewish background, I was acutely aware of how intimidating institutional spaces can feel. However, that understanding became a vital part of my learning process and encouraged me to engage more deeply with our community.
In my role as Equalities Officer, I strive to ensure that every member feels heard and represented in our Union. Informed by my experiences with community engagement both at home and within the Jewish community in Cambridge, I aim to foster an environment where a wide range of views are considered, one where accessibility and reflection are staples of our culture, not afterthoughts.
I want every member to feel confident engaging with everything the Union has to offer. My goal is to maintain a truly inclusive environment, whether you are stepping into the Chamber for the first time or are a veteran of the despatch box. At its heart, this institution, our Union, is defined by its members, and I am dedicated to making this
community accessible to all.
My role spans the next year, allowing me to provide the long-term consistency necessary to see ideas through. I look forward to working alongside successive Standing Committees to carry forward initiatives that strengthen our community. I am consistently mindful of the Union’s history, particularly regarding the participation of women and the Jewish community, and I believe that recognising these milestones is essential as we evolve into a space that truly reflects our diverse membership.
Yours sincerely,
Ruby Endfield | Queen’s Equalities Officer
Argumentation is, and always will be, a crucial part of the world around us. In our homes, in our communities, and in our governments, debates happen constantly, and all participants of whichever social theatre is presently relevant are called on to express their ideas and support their views and take a stand for what they believe in. Name an issue, and people will show you that it’s possible to debate it.
If the world is a constant battleground of arguments, then, why don’t we more often seek to sharpen our weapons and hone our minds to better win the battle? Especially when those battles are about fundamental issues like identity, governance, and defending the ways we live and think? We think the answer is simply that people forget that to argue is a skill at all.
This Lent, join us at training to improve your ability to fight for your opinions. Sharpen your wits by competing against the smartest debaters from other universities from across Europe and the world. Bring critical thinking to the community by helping us run Cambridge Schools
Regionals across Europe. Finally, take the chance to prove your argumentative excellence by trialing to represent Cambridge at the European Debating Championships, held this year in the Netherlands.
We’d like to thank our wonderful organizing committee for helping us put together our term, and for Standing Committee’s welcoming support.
We look forward to seeing you at trainings, tournaments, and events throughout the year, and we encourage you to argue with us all you want.
Anthony Gong | Downing Competitive Debating Officer, Easter 2026
Olivia Arbour | Christ’s Competitive Debating Officer, Easter 2026
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.
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*
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
The Century Club
The Lansdowne Club
The National Liberal Club
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*
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
Clubs indicated by an asterisk (*) are debating and free speech societies.
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.
30% discount on Thursday, 15% during the week
25% off until April
15% off online items, excluding gown/hire/blues blazers/academic dress
20% off all bookings. More info available at the cus.org Members’ Area.
Orator
20% off for Union members
Scudamore’s
30% off self-guided punts, 15% off guided tours
Jack’s Gelato
20% off, exclusively at the All Saints’ Passage location.
20% off on all experience days booked online, code shared via email.
20% extra for members
Bertie’s Cheesecake
Wilde
My dear fellow, I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man.
When I was elected for this position last Michaelmas, I envisioned my debates reflecting a diverse range of perspectives, and ensuring that each debate represented six voices, not two. As we live in, well, turbulent times to say the least, discussions on who holds power, who gets heard, and what direction our democracies are heading seem ever more urgent. And I believe debates at the Union serve exactly this purpose: to provoke discourse that outlasts the evening, that follows you out of the chamber, and into how you see the world we are living in today.
Fast forward to the present, and I am happy to share our exciting roster of debates spanning a wide range of topics that are never more timely. In Week 1, we are starting strong with a venture capitalist arguing against a prominent economist for the blessings of billionaires. In Week 2, we have artists debating whether AI is a friend or a foe to those in the culture industry. In Week 3, we have the inventor of the term “metrosexual” arguing alongside the former president of the Human Rights Campaign about the perils of modern queer activism. In Week 4, we are taking the chamber across the English Channel with politicians coming in from Germany and Ukraine arguing about the state of NATO. And to close our wonderful term of debates, our beloved president takes his curtain call, arguing the case for Margaret Thatcher, a divisive figure who has left her mark on British politics.
To my Debates Subcommittee members, thank you. The term card you are reading is as much yours as it is mine. Your efforts in speaker outreach and the countless hours spent putting this together have made this term possible.
To my fellow elected officers - Jack, Freddie and Alex, and the rest of the Standing Committee, thank you. No one understands the weight of keeping this institution running quite like those who do it, and it has been a great honour to work with such a dedicated team.
And to my dearest friends and family, thank you. Thank you for being a constant source of support, even at the most difficult times. Rachel, Jenna, Hayley, Chloe, Charlotte, Anusha, Alison, Ozan, Aryaman, Zainab, Chris, Josie, Sammy, and many more, whom space does not permit me to name — you all occupy a special place in my heart.
As the Chinese saying goes, a mirror of bronze reveals the order of one’s dress; a mirror of history reveals the rise and fall of dynasties; and a mirror of humanity reveals what one has rightly won and wrongly surrendered. I hope that our programme of debate extends that mirror of reflection beyond Thursday evenings, and offers a moment of philosophical inquisition into the times we are living through.
I look forward to seeing you, our members, in the chamber. Yours truly, and with many thanks, Ted Yip | Christ’s Debates Officer, Easter 2026
Easter Term 2026
Billionaires are ever more vocal in matters of politics, with money providing a route into political influence without the backing of the populace. However, given their taxes also fund many of the services on which we rely, and philanthropic endeavours often have positive lasting impacts, can we truly claim to be better off without them?
Thursday 30th April, 8pm
Hustings begin at 7:30pm
Maxwell Marlow is Director of Public Affairs for the Adam Smith Institute. He is also Director of Policy and Research for TYI, a research and political consultancy. His research has been published across the press and social media, contributing to ongoing government and opposition policy.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Tom Harwood serves as Deputy Political Editor at GB News. He has interviewed four Prime Ministers, and reported from the White House to the Élysée Palace. He is also regularly featured by other channels on programmes such as Newsnight and Question Time.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Julia Willemyns is Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive of the Centre for British Progress, a non-partisan think tank working to accelerate growth in Britain. She also co-founded UK Day One, an election-year project sourcing policy ideas from leaders across the UK’s tech and innovation sectors.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Dr Ellie Chowns is the Green MP for North Herefordshire Leader of the Parliamentary Green Party in the House of Commons, having previously been a Member of the European Parliament. She began her career in the charity sector spending 10 years working in international development.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Pettifor
Anne Pettifor is a political economist best known for having predicted the Global Financial Crisis in 2006. Her latest book argues that the activities of speculators within the system remain largely hidden but are hugely impactful on both our ecosystem and our cost-of-living.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Easter Term 2026 The Second Debate
As the art world gathers in Venice, the machine has begun to replace the genius of the Old Masters with clinical precision. Yet, in this age of digital mimicry, we are forced to confront a starker reality: can the human artist ever truly emerge from behind code again? Does art require a uniquely human spirit, or are we content to let the algorithm become the final heir to our creative history?
Thursday 7th May, 8pm
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Ed Newton-Rex is a composer, former tech executive, and campaigner for creators’ rights who is the founder of Fairly Trained, a non-profit that certifies generative AI companies for fairer training data practices. In 2025 he was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Joanne Harris is an award-winning author with a body of work encompassing over twenty novels, including her 1999 novel Chocolat which was adapted to the screen in 2000, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
This could be you!
Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.
Manon Dave is an award-winning creative, musician, and Head of Future World Design at BBC R&D. He develops transformative AI products and tools in collaboration with companies including Mercedes, Apple, & Microsoft, and in partnership with creatives such as will.i.am & Idris Elba.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Tamsyn Challenger is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work has explored sociopolitical themes from gender violence to selfie culture. A two-time Guardian “Top 5 Exhibitions” pick, her portfolio includes producing for the BBC and receiving the Radio 4 ‘Pick of the Year’ for My Male Muse.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York. This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.
Easter Term 2026
The Third Debate
The LGBTQ+ movement has enabled historic shifts in the social fabric, but has its soul been sold to the highest bidder? In an era defined by increasingly fractious identity battles, are the fundamental struggles for healthcare, safety, and basic legal rights being traded for symbolic gestures?
Thursday 14th May, 8pm
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Buck Angel is a transsexual advocate, educator and personality known for his work promoting visibility, body autonomy, and honest conversations about gender and sexuality. In particular, he has become a prominent voice in discussions about transgender health, identity and self-acceptance.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Scribbler Mark Simpson is credited with coining the term “metrosexual” in a 1994 essay in the Independent that predicted that the future of masculinity was moisturised. He is now a semi-retired provincial lesbian with a Substack.
Alphonso David is a civil rights attorney, working on issues including racial and economic justice, and LGBTQ+ equality, Creating programmes such as an impact litigation program to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ people. He also is the President of the Global Black Economic Forum.
Andrew Boff has served as a London-wide Assembly Member since 2008, having previously served as its chair. He is a Patron of LGBT+ Conservatives. In 2023, he was marched out of the Conservative Party Conference after calling Suella Braverman’s speech a “homophobic rant”.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Helen Webberley
Dr. Helen Webberley is a gender specialist, medical educator, and advocate dedicated to improving the lives of transgender and gender-diverse people. With a background in clinical medicine, she has become a leading voice in the movement for accessible, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York. This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.
Easter Term 2026
The Fourth Debate
As NATO approaches its 75th year, it is surely time to question whether such an alliance is still fit for purpose. With ongoing tensions between members, and a tendency from many European states to rely on others for their security, is it enough for NATO to evolve or does it need a fundamental upheaval?
Thursday 21st May, 8pm
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Dr Antony Stokes LVO OBE is a former British Ambassador with roles including British Ambassador in Hanoi and Havana and Ambassador for Climate Change. He writes and speaks on diplomacy in practice, and the growing intersection of technology and international relations.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Savim Dagdelen is an author, foreign policy expert, and former member of the German Federal Parliament. She is the foreign policy expert on the Federal Executive Board of the BSW party and is known for her critique of military interventionism, as well as her book, “NATO: A Reckoning.”
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
This could be you!
Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.
Kira Rudik is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament and leader of the Golos party. Since the beginning of Russia’s full scale invasion, she has widely promoted Ukraine’s agenda, and in 2020 was added to Russia’s sanctions list. She advocates for democratic values and confiscation of Russian assets.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Aaronovitch
David Aaronovitch has produced, presented and edited factual programmes for ITV, the BBC, C4 and C5. He was a columnist for the Independent, the Guardian, The Observer and The Times. He has won several awards but then, who hasn’t?
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York. This could be you! Details for auditions can be found on page 4 or on our social media profiles.
Easter Term 2026
Teetering on the brink of an economic abyss, one leader rejected the consensus of state-mandated mediocrity. Her revolution was not a bureaucratic expansion, but the emancipation of the individual from the threat of collectivism. Decades since her defenestration, we return to the Chamber to litigate this legacy, a reminder that history is not a settled archive to be admired, but a contest that demands we defend what we believe is right.
Thursday 18thJune, 8pm
Emergency Debate begins at 7:30pm
Jack Peters
Jack Peters is the outgoing President of the Cambridge Union. In his spare time, he studies Human, Social and Political Sciences at Gonville and Caius College. A recovering Lib Dem, he formerly chaired the University’s Liberal Association.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Daniel Hannan, Lord Hannan of Kingsclere, is Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, the oldest free-market think-tank in the world. He is a newspaper columnist and the author of nine books, including the Sunday Times bestseller, How We Invented Freedom.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
This speaker will be announced closer to the time TBA
Mark Drakeford served as the First Minister of Wales from 2018-2024. Between 2000 and 2010 Mark worked as health and social policy adviser at the Welsh Government. Mark is currently Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Peter Hitchens is a journalist, author and broadcaster, a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and occasional writer for the Daily Mail. He has been a journalist for more than half a century, and has travelled to 57 countries, as well as being a resident correspondent in Moscow and Washington DC. Peter Hitchens
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Maurice Glasman, Baron Glasman is an English political theorist, academic, social commentator, and Labour life peer in the House of Lords. He is best known as the leader of the socially conservative socialist movement Blue Labour, which he founded in 2009. Lord Glasman
Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and the author of three books, including Silent Coup and The Racket. He has worked for the Financial Times in London, Washington and New York.
Aromi Voucher
Revs Brunch for 2
8” Basque Cheese Cake
Week 2: Week 3: Week 4:
Summer Garden Party Ticket
Week 1: Week 9:
Margaret Thatcher Book Bundle
Join us in the Orator after each debate on Thursday for chips and themed cocktails!
I'm an ice queen, I'm the sun king, I'm an alien fleeing from District 8 and I'm a dominatrix. So I reckon that makes me lukewarm royalty with a whip from outer space.
Anna Wintour
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Since joining the Union in October 2025, I have made what I would consider some friends for life. I have met such wonderful people and attended so many thought-provoking and enjoyable speaking engagements. It is this sense of community that led me to run for Speakers Officer. Thank you to my committee, Jack, Ted, Alex, and Ruby, for being the most wonderful teammates one could ask for. The constant banter and drinks meant that our time together (and it was a lot) was never dull. Jack, whilst our politics may be worlds apart, we share the same abysmal sleep schedule, fondness for Aperol, and a genuine love for the Union and its mission. You have been a fantastic president, and I can’t wait to watch your rapid ascent in politics, a fact I am certain of despite your many protestations.
Thank you, Freya and Harriet, for managing all communications-related matters and my last-minute requests. Thank you to the Vice-Presidents, Roberta and Heemie, for putting up with us all, you are the glue that keeps us all together.
My greatest thanks of all goes to the backbone of the Union, the ones working behind the scenes to keep it all afloat so that we students can continue to gallivant and play parliament, the full-time staff of CUS and The Orator.
I wanted to bring you speakers from a range of areas that align with aspects of your lives that spark joy, whether it’s sports, politics, science, or entertainment. I am thrilled that we will be starting this term off strong with a beautiful piano performance by composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi. And throughout the term, we will host a range of incredible people. A two time Euro Champion, one of our fierce Lionesses, Alessia Russo, Politicians at odds with Putin Leonid Volkov and Kira Rudik, Author and granddaughter of Nikita Khrushchev, Nina Khrushcheva, A lecture delivered by renowned war photographer James Nachtwey, panels that utilise important historical anniversaries as launching pads to discuss current of affairs, and a few mystery speakers who we cannot wait to reveal to you. I hope these speakers fill you with the same interest and excitement I have felt attending speaker events.
To Aliya, you showed me what being a Speakers Officer was and gave me the best introduction to the union one could ask for. You have continuously placed your faith in me, and for that, I’m endlessly grateful. Placing your headshot in the President’s office like a patron saint of Union past as a reminder to be whimsical, bold, riotous, and indeterminably witty was an endlessly wise decision—may you forever remain on the mantel.
To the nineteen members of my subcommittee who helped make this all happen, thank you for all of your efforts. This term card could not have been made without you all. You showed up brimming with ideas for what you wanted Easter to be, and you all put in the time required to make it happen. To my subcommittee’s strongest soldiers—Faron, Tom, Ethan— and our resident gossip and culture column, Efe, thank you all endlessly for helping make the term card what it is.
To my Speakers-Elect, Benjamin: thank you for your help and your diligence on the Vacation Committee. You have a journey ahead of you that will be both taxing and rewarding, but I know that you have what it takes, and with that, I wish you all the best.
To my fellow members, I hope that you see a bit of you in at least one of the speakers and that their talk both engages and moves you. That despite the busyness and stresses of exam term, you can take a reprieve in what they have to say. Even if you disagree with them, I hope that you can respect the courage it takes to speak in a world jampacked with ideas at a university where some of the brightest in the world gather. My primary aim is to ensure that you enjoy the speaker events you attend. Thank you for allowing me to put together this term card for you, it has been such a blessing to be involved with this Union community.
With love and excitement,
Freddie Bishop | Newnham Speakers Officer, Easter 2026
Freddie Bishop | Newnham Speakers Officer, Easterv 2026
Ludovico Einaudi is an internationally acclaimed composer and pianist. Born in Turin, Italy, he studied at the Conservatory of Milan, while also engaging with the avant-garde tradition and minimalism.
Over the course of his career, Einaudi has developed a distinctive musical language that blends classical, contemporary and popular elements, characterised by clarity, emotional depth and a unique sense of space and atmosphere.
His music has reached a global audience, both through his recordings and through extensive touring in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, Sydney Opera House, and major concert halls and arenas worldwide.
Einaudi is also widely recognised for his work in film and television, with scores for awardwinning productions such as Nomadland, The Father and This Is England, further expanding the reach of his music beyond the concert stage. In recent years, his work has continued to explore new artistic territories, from large-scale conceptual projects such as Seven Days Walking to the intimate solo piano album Underwater (2022). His latest release, The Summer Portraits (2025), debuted at the top of the UK Classical Album Chart, confirming his enduring relevance and connection with audiences worldwide.
Monday 27th April, 6pm
Arsenal and England striker Alessia Russo gained widespread recognition during her time at the University of North Carolina. On her return to England, she signed for Manchester United, quickly making her mark in the Women’s Super League. It was Alessia‘s performances for United that saw her earn a place in the Lionesses team where she played a vital role in them winning Euro 2022 and becoming runners up in the FIFA Women’s World Cup a year later.
In 2025 she added the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Arsenal to her list of accolades, topping it up two months later with retaining England’s title as champions of Europe as once again the Lionesses brought home victory at Euro 2025 where she scored an all-important equaliser in the final.
The 2024-25 season was a marquee season for Alessia personally, as she was crowned the WSL Golden Boot winner, finished third in the Ballon d’Or and was once again named in the FIFA Best team of the year for the second year running. She also lined up in the UEFA Euro, UEFA Champions League, FIFPro and PFA Best XIs and was named the FWA and Women’s Sports Awards player of the year.
In 2025, she launched The Alessia Russo Foundation, which aims to increase the participation of young girls in sport.
Monday 4th May 6pm
As we approach the twenty-fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Afghanistan, we at the Union believe it would be an apt time to reflect on the invasion; reasons given for its start and also its implications in the region. This panel also aims to question the impact of acts of aggression in the region following the regional war between America, Iran, and Israel.
Sir Laurie Bristow is President of Hughes Hall, and was a British diplomat for 32 years. He was Ambassador to Afghanistan during the fall of the Republic to the Taliban in 2021, the UK’s Ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2020, and Deputy Ambassador to Russia from 2007 to 2010. Sir Laurie regularly writes and comments on Russia and national and international security issues. He is a Visiting Professor at LSE Ideas.
Dr. Neelam Raina is a post-conflict reconstruction expert and the Director of Research of Middlesex University. Her research focuses on social and economic impact of livelihoods for women in conflict affected states. Raina is a strong advocate for Afghan women and is the Director of the Secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Afghan women and girls in UK parliament since 2021.
Hameed Hakimi is a senior researcher and policy expert specialising in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and broader regional affairs in South Asia and Central Asia. He has led multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, strategic dialogues and high-impact projects for over 15 years. His doctoral research critically examines conceptions of security, securitisation and migration in Europe.
Brad Blitz received his Ph.D. from Stanford University and is a Professor of International Politics and Policy at University College London, and former Head of the UCL Department of Education, Practice and Society (2019-2024). Until June 2019, he was Director of the British Academy/DFID Programme on Modern Slavery. His research focuses on displacement, governance and human rights.
Tuesday 12th May, 7pm
Jax Jones is a globally renowned DJ, songwriter and producer who has spent over a decade at the forefront of the British music scene, boasting 8 UK Top 10 singles, 9 UK platinum singles, over 60 million single sales and a 9 billion global audio streams.
Honoured with multiple GRAMMY, BRIT, and Ivor Novello nominations, he has become a mainstay in modern British music and continues to create genre-defying music for both the charts and specialist dance scene, working and collaborating with industry legends like Whitney Houston, Ed Sheeran, Diana Ross, RAYE and Mark Ronson.
He has also focussed on building opportunities for emerging artists with his record label WUGD championing the next generation of UK talent, while his work as a producer and collaborator continues to span genres and continents.
Friday 15th May
Leonid Volkov is the political director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, the leading organisation of the Russian anti-Putin and anti-war resistance movement, founded by the late Alexei Navalny.
A mathematician by background, he entered politics in 2009, when he ran a successful campaign to become elected as the only independent member of the City Council in his hometown, Ekaterinburg.
He was campaign manager and chief of staff for Alexei Navalny’s Moscow mayoral campaign of 2013 and presidential campaign of 2018. Since 2019 he has to reside outside of Russia.
There are 11 politically motivated criminal cases against him initiated by Putin’s regime and in 2024 he was brutally attacked in front of his house in Vilnius. In 2025 he was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment (in absentia).
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He currently also serves as the Chief of staff for Yulia Navalnaya.
Volkov Dissident and Chief of Staff to Navalny
With the 40-year anniversary of Chernobyl as a launching point, the event will examine how the area of nuclear energy is experiencing a global resurgence, with China massively investing in expanding its capabilities, approving ten new reactors a year since 2022. This massive injection of funds has prompted Western nations to also begin prioritising nuclear energy and seeing it as a worthwhile investment, with some even positing that 2026 can be framed as a ‘nuclear renaissance’.
Dr Paul Dorfman is Chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group; and Member of the Irish Government Radiation Protection Advisory Committee; Member of the International Nuclear Risk Assessment Group. Paul served as Secretary to the UK government scientific advisory Committee Examining Radiation Risks from Internal Emitters; led a European Environment Agency response to Fukushima; served as Expert to the European Economic and Social Committee; Advisor to the UK Ministry of Defence Nuclear Submarine Dismantling Project; Adviser to the French Govt. Assemblee Nationale relative à la Faisabilité Technique et Financière du Démantèlement des Installations Nucléaire, and drafted sets of UK Department of Health NHS guidance.
Raquel Heredia is Senior Programme Lead for Strategic Partnerships at the World Nuclear Association, where she leads engagement across end energy users, the nuclear industry, and multilateral organisations to translate energy demand into nuclear deployment strategies and inform policy development
Raquel holds a degree in Sustainable Development Engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, and a Master’s in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex. She is also an active advocate for diversity in the energy sector and for encouraging women and girls into STEAM careers.
Jim Smith is Professor of Environmental Science at Portsmouth University and an expert in modelling radioactive pollution in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. He has co-ordinated four multinational projects on the environmental consequences of the Chernobyl accident and has regularly worked in the Exclusion Zone. He is lead author of a major book on the accident and authored key opinion pieces in Nature and Science on the Fukushima accident. He has been a member of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Expert Groups on Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Tuesday 19th May, 5pm
Nina Khrushcheva is a professor of International Affairs at The New School in New York City and a contributor to Project Syndicate: Association of Newspapers Around the World. Her articles have appeared in Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times and other international publications.
She is the author of several books in English and Russian including: In Putin’s Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia’s Eleven Time Zones (2019) (co-authored) and Imagining Nabokov: Russia Between Art and Politics (2008). Her latest book (in Russian) is a biography of her great-grandfather, Nikita Khrushchev: An Outlier of the System (Diletant, 2024).
Tuesday 19th May, 7pm
Historian and Granddaughter of Nikita Khrushchev
Lewis Goodall is the Analysis & Investigations Editor at Global Radio, and the co-presenter of The News Agents podcast with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel, which has been downloaded over 100 million times.
He began his broadcasting career as a researcher with Granada Television before joining the Institute for Public Policy research. He then moved to the BBC as a producer and reporter.
Lewis moved to Sky News as Political Correspondent where he undertook a two-year project aboard the Lewis Lorry, touring the country to look at how Brexit would affect businesses, people, and places not usually in the media spotlight.
After three years at Sky, Lewis returned to the BBC as Policy Editor for Newsnight. He has covered a wide range of subjects including the war in Ukraine and the resulting refugee crisis, building safety post-Grenfell, and the schools exam crisis, for which he was nominated for the Orwell Prize.
Lewis left the BBC to join Global Radio as co-presenter of the podcast The News Agents with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel, as well as being Analysis & Investigations Editor with a remit to work on video journalism, reporting breaking stories and producing content for podcasts and social channels on LBC.
Lewis also writes for the New Statesman magazine. His book Left for Dead?; The Strange Death and Rebirth of the Labour Party, is an examination of the shifting fortunes of Labour in from political dominance under Tony Blair to the election loosing opposition under Jeremy Corbyn, and its impact on the future for the party.
Wednesday 20th May
Kira Rudik is a Member of Ukrainian Parliament and leader of the political party Holos.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full scale invasion, Kira Rudik has promoted the agenda of Ukraine in more than 50 countries and given more than 3000 interviews for key international media outlets. Kira Rudik advocates for democratic values, digital transformation, and the confiscation of frozen Russian assets for the sake of Ukraine, as well as female leadership and animal rights.
She has been a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, The Hill , The Daily Telegraph, Huffington Post and the Atlantic Council.
She has been sanctioned by the Russian government since 2020.
Thursday 21st May
Marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the panel will reflect on what the Convention has accomplished and whether its founding mission can be preserved. The UNHCR’s condemnation of both Europe and the US for undermining the Convention and senior officials warning that the institution of asylum is more under threat than ever before. The panel will explore the origins and impact of the Convention, its recent controversies and the growing pressure from those seeking to defend it, debating whether the Convention should be kept or disregarded entirely.
This speaker will be announced closer to the date
This speaker will be announced closer to the date
This speaker will be announced closer to the date
Time and Date TBA
Since 1981, James Nachtwey has documented armed conflicts worldwide, including the civil wars that engulfed Central America throughout the 1980s; violent conflicts in Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Uganda; wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Bosnia, Kosovo, Chechnya and Ukraine and genocide in Rwanda and Darfur. He also covered the often violent liberation struggle against apartheid in South Africa; the overthrow of dictatorships in the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea and the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001.
Nachtwey’s work as as a form of social documentation includes the effects of HIV-AIDS in southern Africa, the global impact of tuberculosis, industrial pollution in Eastern Europe, state-sanctioned institutional abuse of orphans in Romania, and the opioid epidemic in the United States.
Among the many honors his work has received are the Princess of Asturias Award, the Dresden Peace Prize, the Commonwealth Award, the Dan David Prize, the Heinz Award, the TED Prize, the Robert Capa Gold Medal (five times), the World Press Photo of the Year Award (twice), the Bayeaux Award for War Correspondents (twice) and the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Grant for
Humanistic Photography. He was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame in 2017.
Nachtwey’s photographs are in several permanent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Centre Pompidou and the Bibliotheque Nationale de France.
Monday 15th June, 7pm
Meet the Union’s speakers at drinks receptions!
One of our core goals at the Union is to connect you, the members, with the speakers that we host. That is why we will once again be running a speakers ballot, giving you the opportunity to attend drinks receptions with this term’s guests. Keep an eye on our social media to get your chance!
I’ll polish it off
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Not for the first time, I find myself imploring everyone who’ll listen to follow the Queen Mother’s advice, which you can find helpfully printed on the page opposite. In a term filled with an impending sense of exam-related doom, it’s all too easy for Cambridge students to forget to be merry and (just maybe) imbibe a little. I very much hope that the Union’s programme of social events will prove incredibly helpful in remedying this state of affairs.
Nonetheless, taking some time out does not have to be unproductive. Our first event, after all, combines the aforementioned wisdom with something often considered alien to humanities students: career prospects. We’re absolutely delighted to be collaborating with the Adam Smith Institute to host a networking event, allowing you, our members, to expand your networks and gain an insight into the world of think-tanks over free drinks.
Indeed, collaboration is a theme running throughout our social events offering, as we are excited to be partnering with the Cambridge University Charity Fashion Show with a launch party for their zine. Coinciding with the launch of the new Devil Wears Prada film, our library will play host to a silent disco with various guest DJs coming along to fill the evening with 00s music. “Gird your loins” for a wonderful party!
Perhaps my personal highlight, though, will be our Eurovision Watch Party. In what is always the most sparkly, extravagant and ever-so-slightly political evening of the year, the dulcet tones of Europop will ring through the chamber. In particular, we’re excited to be working with several cultural societies to ensure the uniquely Eurovision atmosphere of friendly competition can be felt in Cambridge, however far from Vienna it may be…
The fun doesn’t stop there, however, as we then have the highlight of our programme: our end-of-term Garden Party! As the best-value May Week event, we’re excited to invite you to take a step back in time, to Miami in the 1980s. Offering themed cocktails, food and fantastic 80s vibes, this event is absolutely not one not to be missed. Please do keep an eye on our social media for more details, which will be coming very soon.
We’re also pleased to be carrying on the rich tradition of more slowly paced and chilled events, which I find to be more vital than ever in a busy exam term. President’s Tea is, as always, a staple event. What’s more, this term offers an opportunity to shape the long-term future of the Union! Our library is being done up, and we’re hosting a consultation event for members to have their say on the proposals, and we would love to see as many of you there as possible.
Of course, I could not have put together such an extensive programme together without the help of many. I first must thank my subcommittee for turning up with their characteristic good humour which made the long Monday and Thursday afternoons a great deal more bearable. I also am immensely grateful to the Garden Party co-presidents, Dorrian and Satu, whose vision, work ethic and reliability is unparalleled. Very many thanks must go to the rest of Standing Committee, particularly Jack who has been a fabulous president. It has been an immense privilege to work with you all!
On a more personal note, I must express my sincerest gratitude to all my friends, both those who regularly frequent the Union and those who tend to keep more of a distance, as well as my family, whose support has been utterly invaluable.
With my sincerest gratitude and very best wishes, Alexander Corbould |
Peterhouse Social Events Officer, Easter 2026
4pm-5pm, Friday 8th May 2026
Wednesday 13th May
Wednesday 20th May
2pm
with complimentary tea & coffee Members’ (Hawking) Room
Treasurer
Jasper Burnside | St John’s
Executive Officer
Ted Yip | Christ’s
Equalities Officer
Ruby Endfield | Queens’
President
Jack Peters | Gonville and Caius
Vice President
Heemie Comrie | St John’s
Communications Officer
Harriet Crust | King’s
Speakers Officer
Freddie Bishop | Newnham
Social Events Officer
Alexander Corbould | Peterhouse
Competitive Debating Officers
Olivia Arbour | Christ’s Anthony Gong | Downing
President-Elect
TBC
Executive Officer-Elect
Anusha Salhan | Newnham
Speakers Officer-Elect
Benjamin Pearce | Emmanuel Zainab Khan | Homerton
Social Events Officer-Elect
Image Credits: Nordin Ćatić,
Secretary
Cat Smyly | Emmanuel
Access & Outreach
Lily Brown | Clare
Erin McCarthy | Downing
Vice President’s Secretary
Carter Kennedy | King’s
Events Management Department
Head: Ethan Lee Yee Chien | Hughes Hall
Deputy: Harry Bancroft | Churchill
Nika Neely | Peterhouse
Aimee Rosenthal | Queens’
Oliver Dallas | Magdalene
Tom Harrington | Wolfson
Anusha Hansra | Queens’
Rhea Goel | Lucy Cavendish
Nabeel Chaudary | Fitzwilliam
Joe Hill | Emmanuel
Syna Jain | Lucy Cavendish
Max Ferrara | Gonville and Caius
Nasima Fadul | St Edmund’s
Carl Strauss | Trinity
Daisy Cooper | Clare
Publicity Department
Head: Joshua Delvard | King’s
Deputy: Navya Sharma Tyagali | King’s
Giovanni Luigi Lacroix | Christ’s
Safina Baker | Homerton
Anna Steiner | St Edmund’s
Alison Jackson | Jesus
Bella Chihota | Sidney Sussex
Taylor Cammack | King’s
Ya’Seen Ali | St Catharine’s
Welfare Officers
Head: Katy Derby | Downing
Emily Clack | Clare
Emoefeoghene Imoyin-Omene | St Edmund’s
Kaleem Azmat Chattha | Fitzwilliam
Membership & Alumni
Dorrian Turner | Peterhouse
Librarian’s Committee
Theo Li | St John’s
Isa Sheikh | St Edmund’s
Guest Liaison Department
Head: Layla Birch | Girton
Senior: Ryan Hoffman | Hughes Hall
Ya’Seen Ali | St Catharine’s
Gehhna Arora | Sidney Sussex
Rahim Arshad | Downing
Emily Bang | Robinson
Noumay Barakat | Trinity Hall
Tillie Craven | Trinity
Daniel Djakiodine | Selwyn
Juan José Gómez-Aguirre | Hughes Hall
Naomi Kemp | Queens’
Annika Reff | Hughes Hall
Diti Shah | Trinity Hall
Monesha Talreja | Selwyn
Pruthvirajsinh Zala | Wolfson
Audio Visual Department
Head: Jake Hopkins | Sidney Sussex
Deputy: Giancarlo Mempouo | Jesus
Deputy: Yusaf Hassan | Magdalane
Alexander Wang | Fitzwilliam
Jake Hughes | Jesus
Faron Smith | Selwyn
Ethan Okai | St Catharine’s
Photography
Head: Nordin Catic | St John’s
Florence Tawns
William Blakesley-Herbert
Timothy Lambden | Girton
Jana Abdel-Aty | Homerton
Speakers Sub-Committee
Senior: Ethan Lee Yee Chien | Hughes Hall
Senior: Faron Smith | Selwyn
Senior: Tom Huxley | Sidney Sussex
Anouk Harris | Downing
Benjamin Pearce | Emmanuel
Arsallan Fyezi | Downing
Claudia Allen | King’s
Daniel Djakiodine | Selwyn
Emoefeoghene Imoyin-Omene | St Edmund’s
Enrique Benjamin R. Fernando III | Hughes Hall
Ethan Okai | St Catharine’s
Falisha Abdul Jabbar | Christ’s
Freddie Williamson | Homerton
Jacob Shapiro | Trinity
Jana Abdel-Aty | Homerton
Pascal Bachmann | St John’s
Sebastian Feune | Emmanuel
Suren Pahlevan | Emmanuel
Victoria Szymala | Robinson
Debates Sub-Committee
Ya’Seen Ali | St Catharine’s
Tom Blythe | King’s
Saffron Enticknap | St Catharine’s
Max Ferrara | Gonville and Caius
Masaharu Kai | Jesus
Scott Matthew Kebbell | Trinity
Sarah Kleinmoedig | Hughes Hall
Denis Morine | Lucy Cavendish
Suren Pahlevan | Emmanuel
Vidhi Patel | Queens’
Anusha Salhan | Newnham
Diti Shah | Trinity Hall
Carl Strauss | Trinity
Quynh An Tran | Trinity
Social Events Sub-Committee
Elijah Jacobs | Downing
Archie Ludlow | Peterhouse
Giancarlo Mempouo | Jesus
Martha Morgan | Christ’s
Daena-Paige Morris | Trinity
Cat Smyly | Emmanuel
Dorrian Turner | Peterhouse
Cambridge Schools Convenor: Zihan Tian | St John’s
Cambridge IV Convenor: Rachel Lang | Trinity Hall
Women and Gender Minorities Tournament Convenor: Martha Mckinney-Perry | St John’s
Women and Gender Minorities Tournament Convenor: Iris Lee | Trinity Hall
Training Officer: Sophie Hannigan | St John’s
Freshers’ Representatives: Alice Li | Christ’s
Freshers’ Representative: Elena Rees | Churchill
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: Alba Martinez
Restaurant & Catering Manager: Claire Hey
Deputy Restaurant Manager: Chris Woollin
Restaurant and Events Supervisors: Ella Hicks and Gemma Gant
Head Chef: Nathan Bush
Sous Chef:- Andy Cymbala
Head Waiter: Nat Dubrowska
Marketing Manager: Pedro Sawyer Rodrigues
Audio and Visual Manager: Chris Izatt
Site Supervisor: Chris Porter
Housekeeping: Lucia Cretu and Monika Gawron
Ministers without portfolio: Sky, Moss, Zeke, Bruce and Bonnie
Chair: David Robinson
Jack Peters
Heemie Comrie
Rachel Green
Philip Harrison
David Branch
Gillian Tett
Elisabeth Kendall
Graham Virgo
The Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Sarah Nathan
Angela Broughton
Chair: Jay Blanchard Lewis (Chair)
Alex Forzani
Nick Wright
Sam Longton
Rachel Tustin
Freddie Dyke
Alasdair Donovan
Alycia Leach
Calum MacDonald
Emaan Ullah
Jungmin Seo
Ash Nandi
Amy Gregg
Charles Connor
Angus Groom
Being President in the third term of your third year means that this list is going to be long, so please excuse the characteristic lack of brevity. As I write this, in The Pick, surrounded by a selection of somewhat unlikely compatriots, it first falls on me to thank Standing Committee. A term card does not produce itself, and without your efforts, none of this would be possible.
Heemie, it has been a pleasure to come into this role at the same time as you have taken up the VicePresidency. I am sure there are many late nights in the office ahead, but I know with your dedication, hard work, and cool-headedness, the Union is set for a strong year ahead, and my two successors are very lucky to have you. Harriet, Madam Comms, I already apologise for the high volume of Google chats, phone calls, and text messages you will receive. Your ability to make me seem eloquent is near endless, and the fact that you manage it with not only humour, but grace astounds me. Jasper, from Campaign Manager to Treasurer, you have never ceased to impress and surprise me. Thank you for your exceptional counsel and endless patience with my shenanigans. I look forward to you decorating the office with more Lauren Harries portraits.
Ted, thank you for your characteristic warmth and the assiduity you have showcased in your role. You have the best job on standing (and that isn’t because it was my old job); I hope you relish the debates you have put so much into making happen. Freddie, my fellow nocturnal standing officer (and debates artist). In many ways, we are an unusual pairing but a fierce one. No ask has been too big, no idea too great, and you have done it all with nothing but diligence and your characteristic humour. This building wouldn’t function without you. Here’s to many more Orator Aperol Spritzes (and the occasional office sleep). Alex, I could think of no one more suitable to be my social events officer than a man who organises meetings at the pub. Thank you for your hard work and friendship. I hope you manage to enjoy your events as much as our members will. I owe you many a pint.
Cat, I’d have thought being my secretary for a year would be enough, alas, it was not, and that is to my great gain. There is no one better suited to make up for my organisational deficiencies than you, and that you do so with such genuine care and kindness is a quality I continue to admire. Ruby, thank you so much for your dedication to the Equalities role. I’m excited to see where you take it over the next year. The enthusiasm and passion you bring to standing is infectious. Olivia, you are my competitive debating sherpa; everyone in this building owes you a great deal of thanks for your dedication to the role. Anthony, you have delivered so much for the Union and our debaters over the last year. I hope you enjoy your last term on standing.
Now to the rather long list of former Presidents who have set the bar impossibly high: Nick, Neha (I will send you that stash when it drops), and Alessio, thank you for giving me a foot in the door and showing us all how it is done. Sammy, here is to many more debates (and the occasional floor speech). Your passion for oratory and the power of debate has always inspired me. Anoushka, be it CULA Chair or Union Pres, I am very much walking in your footsteps. Seriously, thank you for everything. I would not be where I am today without you. Ivan, you are a great source of wisdom and an even better source of humour. Thank you for being a wonderful sounding board and borderline Union historian. Chris, you have left me big shoes to fill! Your warmth and guidance over the last two years has been instrumental in bringing so many people into the society. Thank you for all your counsel.
To the 25–26 appointed team: Roberta, Josh, and Freya, it feels strange being in this building without you all. Each of you was such an important part of the society over the last year, and not a single part of this term card would have been possible without the care and quiet competence you each brought to your roles. To the Easter 2024 gang: Aliya, it is a surprise you have not been cancelled yet (#FreeSpeech), but that is to my, and that of many others’ great gain. Thank you for your generous advice and even more generous
humour. Madeleine, you have been there for me through thick and thin, enthusiastic as ever. I shall endeavour to make filming me in an inflatable Easter Bunny suit worth it. Innes, I don’t think many people could claim to have done shots in quite the circumstances we did. Thank you for your friendship over the last two years. I know you will go on to do great things (as you already are!). To the many friends I’ve made over my time in this building, particularly Alex, Leonas, Penelope, Ben, Seyan, and Katie C, thank you for all of the good times. I hope to catch each and every one of you for a pint at the Orator before term ends.
To my term card team: Faron, thank you so much for all your work on this term card, and for your company in the office. It has made what can often be a tedious job a joy. Zoe, you have injected so much new energy into our term card. It has been great having you on the team. Isobel, back in Y8 Spanish, I would not have suspected we would be here, but it is a privilege to have you as my cover artist. What you have produced for us is truly amazing.
It would be remiss not to thank those from my beginning in student politics, so a big thank you to everyone in CULA, be it friends, sparring partners, or all those I’ve served on committees with. In particular, to my neoliberal gang, you have all made me a more thoughtful person, even if that means not a Liberal Democrat. I also want to thank all of my friends across the aisle from other PolSocs, especially my fellow chairs, who have been more friends than adversaries.
To the whole Union staff team: John, you are the great sage of this building. Thank you for your endless wisdom. To Bart, Claire, Nathan, Andy, Ella, Gemma, Nat, Chris, and the whole Orator Team. You are the unsung heroes of this place, and none of this term card could have happened without all your efforts. To Chris and Chris, thank you both for making sure this incredibly old building not only doesn’t fall down, but looks and sounds good. To Patience, Laura, Ben, Alba, Ella, Pedro, Lucia, and Monika, thank you all for keeping this place running and putting up with the endless chaos we students cause.
To everyone on sub-committees and Full Committee who have made this possible, and will continue to do so, through the heaviness of exam
term, I am immensely grateful, and hope you all manage to enjoy the events this term. To the whole trustee board, especially David, you have been such sources of advice for both me personally and this society. We are very lucky to have each and every one of you, and I will continue to learn from you throughout the term.
To my DOS, Ruth, many apologies, I promise I will actually do my degree. Thank you for being exceptionally supportive. To all of my friends, especially those at Caius, thank you all for your humour, warmth, and kindness. I promise I will become more available in May Week. India, you might possibly be the most patient person on earth. Your endless warmth and kindness is a gift to all of those around you. I am so lucky we became friends. To all of my family, thank you for not only putting up with but also supporting me over the last twenty-one years. I would not be in the position I am today without all of your support. Mum and Dad, I hope you enjoy watching the debates; you have no idea how much you both mean to me.
Whoever may be lucky enough to succeed me, this job is certainly stressful but worth it in every sense; with Anusha, Ben, and Zainab at your side,
With thanks to:
Term Card Design & Assembly
Faron Smith & Zoe Charlotte Green
Cover & Section Artwork
Isobel Barker (@ysobel) Debates Illustrations
Freddie Bishop
Facilities Illustrations
Dan Cohn-Sherbok
Garden Party Poster
Felicia Lorena Klassen
