The DURHAM UNION

EPIPHANY TERM 2018

TERM CARD

EPIPHANY 2018 1 OUROUR MANIFESTOMANIFESTO 11.. Welcome

So here we are, 176 years after the first our A Team reached the quarter-finals in the meeting of the Durham Union Society, World University Debating Championships. RIPRIP UPUP and it is now my honour to welcome you all back to what I hope will be a Getting involved in the running of the Union, thought-provoking Epiphany Term which, whether it be as a student debater, as a member by challenging existing perspectives and of the Union’s General Committee or as an beliefs, will serve to widen the horizons of officer or standing member, is an exceptional all the Union’s members. way to enhance your CV, meet lots of interesting THETHE people and gain an insight into how one of the This term will see motions debated with subject oldest student societies in the world operates. content ranging from Mother Teresa to Russia and from to feminism. These debates will The Union has been enhancing the lives and be substantiated by varied addresses featuring, experiences of Durham students for the last RULERULE among others, MPs from different political 176 years and together with your support and persuasions, an Ambassador, a mental health enthusiasm I look forward to guiding it through its campaigner and the founder of UKIP. Our first next chapter. debate will focus on whether the Union believes that borders should be a thing of the past, while Very best wishes, Richard Tice will deliver our first address on the BOOKBOOK subject of the EU referendum. IfIf youyou nevernever gogo againstagainst thethe grain,grain, alwaysalways followfollow thethe well-troddenwell-trodden pathpath andand consistentlyconsistently take Our line-up of speakers this term will include thethe safesafe option,option, youyou couldcould findfind yourselfyourself sleepwalkingsleepwalking intointo aa predictablepredictable career with a traditional former Shadow Chancellor Peter Lilley, Nirj Deva Jack Gilmore firm.firm. IfIf that’sthat’s howhow youyou seesee youryour future,future, wewe wishwish you every success. But please look away now. MEP, Dr Joanna Williams, Chair of the London President, Epiphany 2018 IfIf youyou preferprefer thethe boldbold toto thethe boring,boring, however,however, andand findfind thethe prospectprospect ofof joiningjoining aa different kind assembly Jennette Arnold and businessman ofof lawlaw firmfirm enticing,enticing, we’dwe’d lovelove toto talktalk toto you.you. We want to break the mould, rewrite the rules and Martin Ainscough CBE. redefineredefine thethe legallegal profession.profession. YourYour missionmission couldcould bebe toto buildbuild thethe lawlaw firm of the future, today. AndAnd toto definedefine youryour careercareer atat thethe samesame time. The Epiphany Term must also rise to the challenges of building on the foundations set in ReadRead thethe fullfull manifestomanifesto andand findfind outout moremore atat . To this end we will continue the RPC.CO.UK/MANIFESTORPC.CO.UK/MANIFESTO recent trend of hosting more social events than in previous years; this will include an Epiphany Welcome Social and also special themed socials highlighting the Winter Olympics and others.

The Union also boasts one of the world’s great student debating programmes for those who enjoy competitive debating. Indeed, only recently

THETHE LAWLAW CAREERCAREER FORFOR PIONEERS 2 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 3

5780_RPC_Manifesto_210x148.indd5780_RPC_Manifesto_210x148.indd 11 01/08/2012 14:57 Events Calendar Debates Addresses

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 st Borders Should be a 1 Thing of the Past Debating Chamber, 8.30pm

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 nd Richard Tice Foreign Aid is a 2 Union Chamber, Waste of Money Pemberton Buildings 8.30pm Debating Chamber, 8.30pm

28 29 30 31 1 2 3 rd Professor Alan Sked Brexit 3 Union Chamber, Debating Chamber, 8.30pm Pemberton Buildings 8.30pm

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 th Low Tax Society 4 Debating Chamber, 8.30pm

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 th Mr Kristof Feminism Has Lost 5 Szalay-Bobrovniczky Its Way Union Chamber, Debating Chamber, 8.30pm Pemberton Buildings 8.30pm

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 th New Labour is Dead 6 Debating Chamber, 8.30pm

25 26 27 28 1 2 3 th Mother Teresa’s Legacy 7 was One of Good Debating Chamber, 8.30pm

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 th Iain Paisley Jr MP Russia is a Threat 8 Union Chamber, to the West Pemberton Buildings 8.30pm Debating Chamber, 8.30pm

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 th Farewell Debate 9 Debating Chamber, 8.30pm

4 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 5 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THIS HOUSE BELIEVES Borders Should Be a Foreign Aid is a Thing of the Past Waste of Money th Friday 19th January Friday 26 January

8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green Full Debate, Sponsored by Bond Dickinson Full Debate

Laurie Macfarlane Economics Editor of Open Democracy. Nirj Deva MEP Conservative MEP for South East England.

Professor Eleanor Spaventa Professor and Director of Gender and Diversity at Nerissa Chesterfield Durham Law School. Communications Officer for the Institute of Economic Affairs.

Roger Casale Former Labour MP for Wimbledon from 1997-2005 Philip Smith and Chair of ‘New Europeans.’ Chief Executive of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories.

Andrew Withers PROPOSITION Chairman of the Libertarian Party UK. OPPOSITION Tobias Andersson OPPOSITION

PROPOSITION National President of Young Swedes Iain Stewart MP Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South

Simon Clarke MP Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. James Dobson Senior Researcher of the liberal-conservative think tank Bright Blue Ben Harris-Quinney Chairman of The Bow Group and former foreign policy TBC advisor to multiple Governments.

Rory Broomfield Director of The Freedom Institute.

6 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 7 THIS HOUSE THIS HOUSE BELIEVES Regrets Brexit In a Low Tax Society Friday 2nd February Friday 9th February

8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green Full Debate 8:30pm, DebatingFull Chamber, Debate Palace Green

Professor Brendan Simms Professor of the history of international relations at the . Godfrey Bloom Former UKIP MEP and author of The Magic of Banking. Anna Soubry MP Conservative MP for Broxtowe and former Minister of State for Small Business. Martin Ainscough CBE Former Chairman of Ainscough Vanguard. Lord Adonis Labour peer and former Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission. TBC

TBC PROPOSITION OPPOSITION OPPOSITION PROPOSITION Peter Lilley Peter Grant MP Former Secretary of State for Social Security, former Shadow SNP MP for Glenrothes. Chancellor and former Conservative MP for Hitchen and Harpenden. Steven Woolfe EP Leonie Cooper Member of the European Parliament for North West London Assembly member for Merton and Wandsworth. England and former Migration Spokesman for UKIP.

Andrew Rosindell MP Dr Onkar Sahota Conservative MP for Romford and International Director of London Assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon the European Foundation . James Delingpole Writer, jounalist and columnist who has written for publications including The Spectator, and 8 DURHAM UNION The Daily Express. EPIPHANY 2018 9 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THIS HOUSE BELIEVES Feminism Has Lost Its Way New Labour is Dead rd Friday 16th February Friday 23 February

8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green Full Debate Full Debate

Dr Joanna Williams Chris Williamson MP Academic, education editor of Spiked and author Labour MP for Derby North and Shadow Minister of Women vs feminism. for Fire and Emergency Services.

Madeleine Grant Jennette Arnold AM Digital Officer of the Institute of Economic Affairs. Chair of the London Assembly and Assembly Member representing Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest. PROPOSITION PROPOSITION OPPOSITION OPPOSITION Vicky Pryce Graham Stringer MP Economist and author of Why women need Quotas. Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton..

Hannah Brown Dr Martin Edobor Vice President of the Durham Intersectional feminist society and Former Chair of the Young Fabians and President of Josephine Butler College Feminist Society. Associate Director of the New Century Institute.

10 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 11 THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THIS HOUSE BELIEVES Mother Teresa’s Legacy Russia is a Threat was One of Good to the West th Friday 2nd March Friday 9 March 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green 8:30pm, Debating Chamber, Palace Green Full Debate Full Debate

Gautum Lewis John Spellar MP Founder of ‘Freedom in the air’ who was raised Labour MP for Warley. in one of Mother Teresa’s orphanages. PROPOSITION

Conor Burns MP TBC Conservative MP for Bournemouth West and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary PROPOSITION OPPOSITION OPPOSITION Peter Cave Victoria Friedman Philosopher, author, speaker, lecturer, and Assistant Editor of Breitbart London Patron of Humanists UK.

Aroup Chatterjee TBC Physician and author of Mother Teresa – The Untold Story.

12 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 13 Addresses

Daniel Kawczynski MP Mr Kawczynski has been the Conservative Professor Alan Sked MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham since winning it from Labour in 2005. He is Professor Alan Sked founded the United the first ever British MP to be born in Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) in Poland and, during his time in Parliament 1993, and he was the party’s first leader, he has sat on both the International from then until 1997. Sked has since distanced himself from the party, and Development Select Committee and the founded the New Deal political party Justice Select Committee and has been a in 2013, serving as its leader until 2015. vociferous voice in support of the Saudi Sked is also Emeritus Professor of History Arabian Government. He will address the at the London School of Economics. Union on his journey from an immigrant to a British Member of Parliament. 31sr January 2018 TBC 8:30pm, Debating Chamber Richard Tice 8:30pm, 8:30pm, The Union Chamber Field Marshal Mr Tice is a businessman, co founder in The Pemberton Buildings of Leave.EU and one of the subjects the Lord Guthrie of the book ‘The Bad Boys of Brexit.’ Field Marshall the Lord Guthrie, GCB, Since the EU referendum he has LVO, OBE, DL, was Chief of the become the Co-Chair of ‘Leave means Defence Staff from 1997 until 2001. Leave’ and a regular commentator on Prior to this, he served as Chief of the Brexit, appearing on shows such as General Staff (the professional head of The Andrew Marr Show and Question the British Army) from 1994 to 1997, Time. He will address the Union on and has, amongst many other senior military roles, held the position of the topic of The EU referendum and Aide-de-camp General to Her Majesty referenda in general.’ Queen Elizabeth II. th 24 January 2018 TBC 8:30pm, The Union Chamber in The 8:30pm, Debating Chamber Pemberton Buildings

14 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 15 Addresses

His Excellency Mr Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky Mr Szalay-Bobrovniczky has been FAREWELL DEBATE Hungary’s Ambassador to the UK since his appointment in 2016. Before this he served for five years as Vice-President of the Századvég Foundation, Hungary’s This House Would Be oldest and largest think tank. a Member of Castle th 15 February 2018 Daniel Bowman Jr MP 8:30pm, Debating Chamber 16th March 2018 One of the UK’s most prominent Mr Paisley has been the Democratic mental health campaigners and Mental Unionist Party MP for North Antrim Health Director of ‘Parliament Street.’ 8:30pm, Debating since 2010 when he succeeded his father, To discuss mental health and body Chamber, Palace Green the late Reverend Ian Paisley. He is image he has appeared on the likes also the DUP’s shadow spokesman for of Sky News and ITV News and will Communities and local Government and address the Union on the topic of ‘A modern day approach to mental health.’ has sat on the Northern Ireland Affairs This year’s farewell debate will Committee since September 2017. focus on whether or not this House would be a member of TBC University College 8th March 2018 8:30pm, Debating Chamber 8:30pm, Debating Chamber

16 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 17 Social Student EVENTS DEBATING

Each term the Union hosts regular social events for its For those who would like to try debating, the Our training program is one of the best in the members. Well known throughout Durham, ours are Durham Union Society also has an excellent UK. We run competitive speaking training at a among the best at the University. Here is what we’ve got competitive squad. novice, intermediate, and advanced level - so coming up for you in Epiphany Term: whatever your experience is, we would love to Last year we were home to the ninth best have you! Some of Durham’s most successful team in the world, as well as winning many speakers arrived on campus having never debated WINTER OLYMPICS SOCIAL competitions at home in the UK. Debating is at all. th an excellent way to develop your confidence in Beginning Week 11 February speaking, and looks brilliant on a CV. As well as fielding our own competitive Our first themed social of term will commemorate the squads, Durham hosts several prestigious opening of the 23rd Winter Olympics. Be sure to come out Nearly every week we send students across debating competitions throughout the year. of the cold and enjoy some complimentary drinks, snacks the country to compete on behalf of Durham. Notably, we host the largest residential and entertainment. We also compete at the World and European schools debating competition in the world in Debating Championships - recently this has March. This competition brings the best young CARNIVAL SOCIAL included travel to Malaysia, Greece, Estonia, public speakers from across the country, and Poland, India, and many more places. occasionally the world, to speak at our union TBC - we often see students enrol at Durham who The term’s second social will certainly be a chance to previously competed at Durham Schools. let your hair down after Summative Season. Dig out the weirdest, wackiest costume you have and bring yourself to 24 North Bailey Club.

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18 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 19 Getting INVOLVED 24 NORTH BAILEY CLUB

There are many ways to become involved in the Union besides attending our events. Putting together our termly programmes is a huge undertaking, involving a host of elected officers and committees. There really is a role for everyone who wants to get involved.

President’s Committee 24 North Bailey Club (commonly known as ‘24s’) is one Helps the President prepare for their upcoming term, by researching speakers of the Durham Union’s most cherished assets. to invite to addresses, debates and forums, and assist the President draft the invitations. No other student society at the University can claim to have its own private venue, with a bar, garden, Reading Consultative Committee Room and living accommodation for Union members. Connects the Union with the colleges. It consists of a representative from each of It is the social hub of our society. Every evening dozens of the University’s colleges, who are elected in order to gather members’ feedback, our members come here to relax and enjoy the Union’s and distribute Union publicity within their college. incredibly cheap drinks! College bars are brilliant, but being situated in the very centre of Durham and unaffiliated Debates Committee to any college, the 24s bar is an excellent place to meet Organises the debating workshops and internal competitions. They help run three up with friends from all over the University. Unlike most of the largest debating competitions in the UK: the IV, the Schools’ Competition college bars it also has a huge beer garden, and the charm and the Open. of 24s lends it a great atmosphere - the bar is decorated with memorabilia from past events - and after our evening events it is not uncommon that speakers make a visit to House Committee the bar, so you never know who you might meet! All in all, Responsible for taking care of the logistical operations that accompany each of our it is truly one of the best student bars in Durham. events. Bar Events Rules Committee In addition to our regular free social events, the bar holds Assist the Returning Officer in running free and fair elections to all Union positions, its own regular events. Every other week on a Sunday by scrutinising procedures. They also ensure that the Union’s constitution is night there is a Pub Quiz (in which winning teams are constantly evolving and staying relevant. rewarded with a prize), and other events in recent terms have included our famous ‘Open Mic Nights’. Social Committee Working with the Social Secretary, this committee helps organise the Union’s social Opening Hours: events, and is perfect for anyone interested in getting involved with the creative Sunday - Thursday: 8:30-11:30pm side of the Union. Friday & Saturday: 8:30pm-12:00am

Sponsorship Committee In tandem with the Sponsorship and Assistant Sponsorship Secretaries, this committee encourages outside bodies (local and national companies) to support the Union’s events.

20 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 21 President’s Thanks Who’s Who

When preparing for the position of Union It would be remiss of me to not thank Lucy President, no amount of self belief or Woodruff for her work as Sponsorship anecdotal advice can serve as an adequate Secretary and her predecessor Clara Hodge. foundation for the massive task of organising Sponsorship is one of the Union’s most a term of events. To be the President is a role important components and yet it is often one that is both challenging and extraordinarily of the most thankless, so to both of you I rewarding and one that cannot be successfully would like to extend my gratitude. performed without the committed help of a number of others. So with my trademark Special thanks must go to Dan Egglestone who President Northern wit and eloquence I will give thanks. went above and beyond the call of duty as a member of my President’s Committee. Your Jack Gilmore Firstly I must thank the Office Manager, tireless work in assisting me with the choice Sharon, and also Alison for their hard work and appointment of speakers has resulted in and extreme patience in tolerating me during the exceptional quality and diversity of speakers the last few months – and before. I am aware we are welcoming to the Union in the that this was no easy task and a thank you coming term. here is the least you both deserve and may recompense you in part for your forbearance My thanks as well to the Debating Officers, and advice. Martha and Eric and their Director, Rory; your work in student debating is unparalleled and It would be discourteous of me to not thank I have no doubt that Durham’s competitive Treasurer Secretary President - Elect our former President George Jackson for not student debaters will continue to be one of the Christopher Clarke To Be Elected Ollie Lewis only being a superb Custodian by (at long last) finest in the world under your guidance. starting refurbishment work on the Snooker Room but for also being a ready source of And to Ollie Lewis, I wish you the very best information and advice - whether of luck for your upcoming Easter Term as requested or not. President; I have every confidence you will be successful. It is traditional in this section to give thanks to one’s predecessor and commend them on their This great Union has existed for 176 years and term. Tempted as I am to make a cheap joke it has been the upmost privilege to be elected at Dan’s regular over-attention to detail and as its President. It is also an additional honour his Machiavellian management style, it is these for me to be the first ever Union President Sponsorship Secretary Custodian Director of Debating Social Secretary qualities that have ensured his term was so from John Snow College; I can only hope I Lucy Woodruff George Jackson Rory Flynn Sabrina Steuer successful thereby raising the bar somewhat for have paved the way for scores of others to my tenure of office. follow. Working within the Durham Union has Eric Sargent been an experience that I will treasure for the Debate Competitions Secretary: I should now take the time to thank Chris rest of my life and I trust that my efforts as its Debate Training Secretary: Martha Muir Clarke for his efforts both as Treasurer and President will be rewarded with a memorable Speakers’ Secretary: James Plaut our new resident serial proposer. Chris, your term which every Union member will find George Jackson incredible enthusiasm and ready smile really do stimulating and entertaining. Returning Officer: make up for your truly awful hair. Assistant Sponsorship Secretary: Alice Lassman Assistant Custodian: Rahul Prakash Assistant Secretary: Jack Perry Equalites Officer: Harriet Good Technologies Officer: Rhodri Sheldrake Davies Steward: Yago Lleonart Mateu Assistant Social Secretary: Polly Lindsay 22 DURHAM UNION EPIPHANY 2018 23 WHY JOIN?

• Free entry to celebrity addresses • Free entry to expert and celebrity debates on topical issues, every Friday night • Access to the Union’s private bar and event venue, 24 North Bailey Club • Opportunities to live and work at 24 North Bailey Club • Opportunities to learn to debate as a novice or hone your skills with our world class debate squad • Free admission to the events and facilities of the Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Unions • Our members only socials are amongst the best in Durham • Exclusive discounts in independent shops across Durham • The ability to get involved in the running of Durham’s largest society, and a great addition to any CV • Socialise with students from different colleges and courses

Join online at dus.org.uk, or visit our office in person

fThe Durham Union and The Durham Union Members 2017-18 i @thedurhamunion t@durhamunion

24 DURHAM UNION