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Discover the Union

Check out Oxfords most prminent society

'Student Survival'
FAIR
Everything you need to survive life as a student, all in one place 7th - 8th October - the Oxford Union - 10am-6pm
For more information, please contact Luke Eaton (librarian-elect@oxford-union.org)

the OxfOrd

UniOn

Contents

Contents
Michaelmas 2011

2 3 25 29 36

Presidents Welcome Debates Forums Speakers Termcard

Socials

47

Information 59 Competitive Debating 62 Treasurers Treats Whos Who 67 74

From the PRESIDENT

President

In 1823 a group of students came together to set up a groundbreaking society. Founded at a time when the free exchange of ideas was a notion foreign to the restrictive University authorities, the Society has thrived on that gentle stimulus which is always given to any English institution by the disapproval of those in authority. Since then, the Oxford Union has become the most famous student society in the world. Five former British Prime Ministers have been Officers of the Union, as well as numerous political leaders across the world. Union members have debated and voted on thousand of motions tracking the changes of the last 187 years and always remain at the cutting edge of controversy. The weight of this history means expectations are always high for the Union and its committee, and this term will live up those those expectations. For many of you, this will be your first term at Oxford and the beginning of an extraordinary experience; for those of you returning, welcome back to an exciting Michaelmas Term at the Oxford Union. Some of you wont have come across the Oxford Union before - I certainly hadnt when I arrived, so I hope that this termcard will give you a greater insight into what is undoubtedly the biggest and best student society in Oxford. Debating lies at the heart of the Union. This term, we have selected motions that reaffirm our role as a key forum for public debate and a leading voice on the issues facing our country. From our famous, annual No Confidence debate, to motions on the Press, Education, Democracy, the Israel-Palestine Conflict, and Finance, this Michaelmas has something for everyone. Our speaker line-up continues to be something that other societies in Oxford, Britain and across the world can only dream of. In the first few weeks alone, we have stars such as Katie Price and James Cracknell coming to speak in our Chamber. The Presidents of Finland, Macedonia and Mongolia, and the former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, are all set to address our members this term, as well as the likes of Snow Patrol, Elle Macpherson and Zo Wanamaker. Were not just about debates of course; we are renowned for throwing some of the best social events in town and this term is no exception. We have our eagerly awaited New York, New York Ball, social events from Oktoberfest to Mistletoe Madness, the launch of the brand new Campus Movie Fest, numerous graduate recruitment evenings, as well as a week-long performance of the critically-acclaimed play, Posh. The committee and I have worked to build on our history while introducing new initiatives to ensure that the Union is always improving. Weve implemented a new and improved bar policy and launched a long-term digital strategy and a number of new initiatives to increase access, accountability and value for money. But the truth is, that whilst the Societys term is set up by us, it is you who make the Union what it is. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please dont hesitate to email me at president@oxford-union.org.

Hertford College PresIdent, MICHaelMas terM 2011

Izzy Westbury

Debates

Debates
Michaelmas 2011

4 6 8

1st Week: No Confidence 2nd Week: Russia 2nd Week: News

5th Week: 14 Sport 00 6th Week: 16 Israel 00 7th Week: 18 Silicon Valley 00 7th Week: 20 Finance 00 8th Week: 22 The Farewell 00

10 3rd Week: Education 12 4th Week: Democracy

The Oxford Union reserves the right to cancel or change any event without notice due to circumstances beyond its control.

No Confidence

FIRST WEEK

tHIs House Has In Her Majesty

ProPosItIon
The Rt Hon. Hilary Benn MP
Hilary Benn has been the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons since 2010. As Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, he was responsible for starting the War on Waste programme. He is the son of Tony Benn, the former Chair of the Labour Party.

Jon Trickett MP

Jon Trickett served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Peter Mandelson and Gordon Brown. He is well known for his independence, rebelling against the Iraq War and Tony Blairs marketisation of public services. He is now Shadow Minister of State for the Cabinet Office.

Stephen Hockman QC

Stephen Hockman QC was Chairman of the Bar in 2006 and is currently an executive officer in the Society of Labour Lawyers. He is a former Chairman of the Environmental Law Foundation and currently chairs the the International Court for the Environment Coalition.

Arranged marriages often work be

No Confidence

Thursday 13Th OcTOber, 8.30PM

s no ConfIdenCe ys governMent

EMERGENCY DEBATE STARTS 7.45PM

oPPosItIon
Lord Paddy Ashdown

Lord Paddy Ashdown was the leader of the Liberal Democrats for over 10 years. A former royal marine and MI6 officer, he is a gifted polyglot who is fluent in mandarin Chinese. He was also the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a witness at Milosevics trial.

Alan Duncan was the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons in 2009, and is the current Minister for International Development. He was President of the Oxford Union in 1979. Alan was also the first openly gay Conservative Member of Parliament.

The Rt Hon. Alan Duncan MP

etter than ones born out of love.

- Vince Cable on the Coalition

David Heath is the Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. Educated at St Johns College Oxford, he was a practicing optician before beginning his political career.

David Heath CBE MP

Russia

SECOND WEEK

tHIs House b WHat HaPPens In ru

ProPosItIon
Mary Dejevsky
As the chief editorial writer and columnist at The Independent, Mary Dejevsky is one of Britains most respected commentators on Russia, the EU and the US. She has worked as a foreign correspondent all over the world and has gained international prominence for her writing on foreign, especially Russian, affairs.

Sir Roderic Lyne

Sir Roderic Lyne is a former British Ambassador to Russia, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister and UK Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization and the UN. He is the Deputy Chairman of the Royal Institute of International Affairs and was a member of the Chilcot inquiry, having been appointed to the Privy Council.

Stephen Dalziel

Stephen Dalziel is the Executive Director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce. He has reported from Russia for the BBC since 1988, overseeing the collapse of Communism and rise to power of Vladimir Putin, and has lectured on the Soviet military at Sandhurst.

Russia is a riddle wrapped in

Russia

Tuesday 18Th OcTOber, 8.30PM

belIeves tHat ussIa, stays In russIa

EMERGENCY DEBATE STARTS 7.45PM

oPPosItIon
Since the arrest in 2003 of Pavel Khodorkovskys father, famous oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, there has been an extensive international debate questioning the political motivations and the role of the government in the affair.

Pavel Khodorkovsky

Edward Lucas is the International Editor of The Economist and oversees the papers political coverage of Central and Eastern Europe. He has acted as a correspondent for The Independent and the BBC, covering Russia since 1986, and is the author of The New Cold War.

Edward Lucas

Luke Harding is the Guardians Moscow correspondent. In February 2011, he became the first foreign journalist to be expelled from Russia since the end of the Cold War, after he reported on allegations of corruption and Russia becoming a virtual mafia state.

Luke Harding

n a mystery inside an enigma.

- Winston Churchill

Sir Tony Brenton is the former British Ambassador to Russia. Having had a distinguished diplomatic career over 30 years, he has worked in Embassies in Cairo and Washington, dealing with the consequences of 9/11. Sir Tony has been in charge of UN issues and overseen UK economic policy towards Russia.

Sir Tony Brenton

News

SECOND WEEK

tHIs House H In self-regulat

ProPosItIon
Simon Kelner
Simon Kelner is currently Editor-in-Chief of The Independent and is one of the longest serving editors at the newspaper. He won Editor of the Year awards in 2004 and 2010.

Professor Julian Petley

Professor Petley is Professor of Screen Media and Journalism at Brunel University, London. He is also Chair of the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom and writes extensively on censorship and regulation of the press.

Stephen Glover

Stephen Glover co-founded The Independent newspaper, after leaving The Daily Telegraph with two colleagues. He currently writes for both The Independent and The Mail on Sunday.

Freedom of the press is guarante

News

Thursday 20Th OcTOber, 8.30PM

Has no faItH tIon of tHe Press

EMERGENCY DEBATE STARTS 7.45PM

oPPosItIon
Paul McBride QC

Paul McBride is the youngest person in the UK to have been called to the Queens Counsel and has worked in many controversial, high-profile criminal cases. He is also Legal Advisor to the Sunday Herald, the Scottish newspaper that revealed Ryan Giggs extra-marital affair, despite a superinjunction.

Gillian Phillips is Director of Legal Services at The Guardian. She has written articles for the same newspaper concerning the legal ramifications of recent court rulings in defamation cases.

Gillian Phillips

ed only to those who own one.

- A. J. Liebling, American Journalist

Gavin Millar has worked on a number of high-profile media and privacy cases, including recently defending The Sunday Mirror in a case brought against them by the footballer Rio Ferdinand.

Gavin Millar QC

10

Education

THIRD WEEK

tHIs Hou abolIsH PrIv

ProPosItIon
Kevin Brennan MP

Kevin Brennan is the Shadow Schools Minister, and was previously the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Children, Schools and Families. A former President of the Oxford Union, his first paper speech in the Union Chamber was on this motion.

John Brennan

Currently the Director of the Centre for Higher Education Research and Information, John Brennan has published several books and articles on higher education in the UK. He was previously Director of the Quality Support Group at the Council for National Academic Awards.

The Head of the External Relations department of Teach First, James Westhead oversees fundraising and development, communications and events for the charity. He previously worked for BBC News as its education and social affairs correspondent

James Westhead

Wherever is found what is called a

state education. It has been discovere

obedience is to commenc

Education
EMERGENCY

11

use Would vate sCHools

Thursday 27Th OcTOber, 8.30PM

DEBATE STARTS 7.45PM

oPPosItIon
Toby Young

Toby Young is a journalist, writer and cofounder of the West London Free School, the first free school in the UK to sign a Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State for Education. He is an associate editor of The Spectator and author of How To Lose Friends and Alienate People.

A former Headmaster of Harrow School, Barnaby Lenon is the governor of a number of schools. He was awarded Tatler magazine Schools Award for Headmaster of the Year in 2005 and is now the Chairman of the Independent Schools Council.

Barnaby Lenon

paternal government, there is found

ed that the best way to ensure implicit

- Benjamin Disraeli

ce tyranny in the nursery.

Graham Stuart is the Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness, and the Chairman of the Education Select Committee. He has previously served on the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee.

Graham Stuart MP

12

Democracy

FOURTH WEEK

tHIs House belIeve Is essentIal to H

ProPosItIon
Salil Shetty is the Secretary General of Amnesty International, the largest human rights organisation in the world. He leads the worldwide campaign to end the abuse of human rights and was the former Director of the United Nations Millennium Campaign as well as the Chief Executive of ActionAid.

Salil Shetty

Mark Harper MP

Mark Harper is the Conservative MP for Forest of Dean and is the Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform in the Cabinet Office. He works with the Deputy Prime Minister on matters such as fixed term Parliaments and has also held the post of Shadow Minister for Defence.

Don Foster is the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath. He is also the co-chair of the Liberal Democrat back bench committee for Culture, Media, and Sport. Under the leadership of Paddy Ashdown, he served as the spokesman on education for almost a decade. Foster is an activist and founding member of the Avon Liberal Democrats.

Don Foster MP

Democracy substitutes electio

appointment by

Democracy
EMERGENCY

13

Thursday 3rd NOveMber, 8.30PM

es tHat deMoCraCy HuMan Progress

DEBATE STARTS 7.45PM

oPPosItIon
David Booth is the Director of the Africa Power and Politics Programme (APPP) and a Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, one of Britains leading think tanks on humanitarian issues and international development.

David Booth

Alexander Betts is a lecturer in the Dept. of International Development at Oxford, where he is the Director of the Global Migration Governance project. His research focuses on the international politics of migration and refugee protection. He previously worked at the headquarters of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Alexander Betts

on by the incompetent many for

- George Bernard Shaw

y the corrupt few.

George Parker is the political editor of the Financial Times and was previously the Chairman of the Parliamentary Press Gallery in 2010. One of the top political journalists in the country, he has covered many significant stories such as the downfall of Thatcher and the creation of the coalition government.

George Parker

Lorianne Updike Toler is the founding president of The Constitutional Sources Project, which has created ConSource. org, a free online library of the US Constitutions documentary history. Her publications include an upcoming book, The Other Side of Charity, several academic articles in legal and historical journals, and hundreds of newspaper articles and blogs.

Floor Speech: Lorianne Updike-Toler

14

Sport

FIFTH WEEK

tHIs House b Modern sPort Is

ProPosItIon
Christopher Martin-Jenkins MBE
Passionate about cricket from a young age, Christopher Martin-Jenkins was cricket captain at school, before working his way up to become President of the MCC. His comments for BBCs TMS are legendary and he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2009.

Peter Leaver QC

One of the most prominent faces in sports arbitration, Peter Leaver is a longtime member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He is also Chairman of the board of the London Court of International Arbitration and President of the National Anti-Doping Panel.

Tim Kerr QC

Tim Kerr is a barrister specialising in administrative, sport and education law, and a fellow of Magdalen College. He has made himself a name in sports law, with clients including Premiership football clubs such as Chelsea and Tottenham, Premiership Rugby Union clubs and individual sportspeople such as Lennox Lewis and Jenson Button.

When the seagulls follow the t

sardines will be th

Hayley McQueen, the Sky Sports News Pres on women in jour

Sport
EMERGENCY

15

Tuesday 8Th NOveMber, 8.30PM

belIeves tHat just not CrICket

DEBATE STARTS 7.45PM

oPPosItIon
Ed Smith

An excellent sportsman but also an unapologetically clever thinker, Ed Smith played cricket for England and captained Middlesex. The Cambridge history graduate has also published three well-received books and is now a leader writer at the Times.

One of the leading figures behind the English bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Anson was previously Commercial Director at Manchester United and Chief Executive of the European division of the Association of Tennis Professionals.The Exeter fellow and former Blues footballer is one of Britains most powerful businessman in the world of sport.

Andrew Anson

trawler, it is because they think

- Eric Cantona

hrown into the sea.

As a table tennis star, the Balliol graduate competed for Britain in two Olympic Games. Since then, Syed has became a popular media personality, working as a broadcaster for Eurosport and the BBC and as a journalist for The Times. He is a co-founder of the sportsrelated TTK Greenhouse charity.

Matthew Syed

senter, will be giving a speaker address at 5PM rnalism and sport.

16

Israel-Palestine

SIXTH WEEK

tHIs House Has no fa solutIon In tHe Israe

ProPosItIon
Chris Davies MEP
As a past member of the European Parliaments Palestine Delegation, Chris Davies is experienced in Middle Eastern politics. An MEP since 1999 and before that a Liberal Democrat MP, Davies was forced to resign as leader of the Liberal Democrats in the EU parliament over the tone of emails exchanged with a pro-Israeli constituent.

Professor Ilan Pappe

Professor Pappe is one of the New Historians to rewrite the history of Israel in light of the British and Israeli documents released since the 1980s. Before his current role as Professor of Social Science at the University of Exeter, Pappe was a leading member of the Hadash political party in Israel.

Dr Ghada Karmi

Famously outspoken on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Dr Karmi is a Palestinian doctor of medicine. She has written frequently for The Guardian, The Nation and the Journal of Palestinian Studies. A fellow and lecturer at the University of Exeter, she is also vice-chair of the Council for Arab-British Understanding.

All wars are civil wars, be

Israel-Palestine
EMERGENCY

17

Thursday 17Th NOveMber, 8.30PM

aItH In tHe tWo-state l-PalestIne ConflICt

DEBATE STARTS 7.45PM

oPPosItIon
Professor Manuel Hassassian

Professor Hassassian has been the Palestinian Territories diplomatic representative to the UK since 2005. The son of an Armenian genocide survivor, he was born and bred in Jerusalem, but was awarded his doctorate in Comparative Politics in the US.

A Wadhamite vocal on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Jonathan Freedland is a highly acclaimed journalist and author. He has written regularly for The New York Times, The Jewish Chronicle, The Guardian and The Washington Post. His book, The Righteous Men rose to No. 1 of the Sunday Times Bestsellers list and he has broadcast documentaries for the BBC.

Jonathan Freedland

A representative from Israel will be speaking in Opposition of this motion.

Israeli Representative

cause all men are brothers.

- Francois Fenelon

18

Silicon Valley

SEVENTH WEEK

sIlICon val unloCkIng

Reid Hoffman

Reid Hoffman is the co-founder and President of the business-centric networking site LinkedIn. He is also a co-founder and Vice President of PayPal, one of the most successful angel investors of the past decade and holds a Masters of Philosophy from Oxford.

Padmasree Warrior

Padmadrasee Warrior is the current Chief Technology Officer and the former Executive VicePresident of Motorola, where she was responsible for the companys $3.7 billion research and development investment programme when the company received the 2004 National Medal of Technology from the President of the United States.

Brian Sager

Brian Sager is an entrepreneur, advisor and composer. He founded Nanosolar to enable the production of low-cost solar electricity by nanotechnology and has helped dozens of industry-leading companies on a range of corporate finance issues. As a composer, Brian has written 3 symphonies.

Kim Polese

Kim Polese is a former CEO of SpikeSource and was one of the most prominent Silicon Valley executives during the dot-com era. In 1997, she made Time Magazines list of The 25 Most Influential Americans.

Each year the Sad Busines entrepreneurs, CEOs and invest takes to start, scale and run

The theme of this years event i explore how companies create va game, the challenges of getting to do to help un

Silicon Valley

19

lley debate g groWtH

suNday 20Th NOveMber, 8.30PM

Julie Hanna describes herself as a serial entrepreneur, with a belief in entrepreneurship as the worlds greatest agent of change. She is the Chairman of Kiva, the worlds largest micro-lending marketplace and one of Time Magazines Top 50 Websites.

Julie Hanna

Gary Lauer is the Chairman, President and CEO of eHealth, the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses in America. Prior to joining eHealth, Mr. Lauer was recently the keynote speaker at the 8th Annual World Health Care Congress.

Gary Lauer

ss School brings prominent tors to Oxford to explore what it great technology companies.

Patrick Chung joined NEA, a venture capital firm with more than $11 billion of committed capital in 2004, and is co-head of NEAs Consumer investing practice, focusing on internet and mobile investments across the stage. He was also a Commonwealth Scholar at Oxford.

Patrick Chung

is Unlocking Growth and will alue by changing the rules of the o scale and what governments can nlock growth.

Kal Patel is a partner in Vantagepoint Capital Partners, the leading global investor in energy innovation and efficiency. He will also lead the Firms global Strategic Partner initiatives. He was formally Executive Vice President of BestBuy.

Kal Patel

20

Debt

SEVENTH WEEK

tHIs House b debt Is tHe ro

ProPosItIon
Richard Millett QC
A leading commercial and chancery litigation silk at Essex Court Chambers, Richard Millett specialises in banking and financial markets. Essex Court Chambers is consistently acknowledged as one of Londons leading full-service commercial sets.

The Sir Maurice Shoc

A small ceremony will take place pr Sir Maurices serv

Robert Guest

The Economists Business Editor, Robert Guest was previously the Washington Correspondent covering American news and politics. He is the author of The Shackled Continent, a book that tries to explain why Africa is so poor and how it could become less so.

Andrew Spink QC

As a barrister of Outer Temple Chambers Andrew Spink has well over twenty years experience as an advocate in the civil court. He also sits on the Executive Committee of COMBAR and chairs the COMBAR North American Committee.

Mark Yallop

As a current Group Chief Operating Officer at ICAP and a former Group Chief Operating Officer of Deutsche Bank Group, Mark Yallop has a wealth of experience in the financial sector.

Debt is the fatal disease of republics

undermine governments

The Presidential Candidates will open this debate to demon in an attempt to Polling will take place in the Union on Frid

Debt

21

belIeves tHat oot of all evIl

ck

TeSTiMonial DebaTe

Thursday 24Th NOveMber, 8.30PM

PRESIDENTIAL HUSTS START 7.45PM

receding this debate to acknowledge vices to the society. David Soskin

oPPosItIon
A former Union President, David Soskin is currently the Executive chairman of Swapit.co.uk and chairman of mySupermarket.co.uk. An Oxford and Harvard graduate, in 1995 Mr Soskin was named one of Europes 500 most dynamic entrepreneurs.

A former Union President, Roland Rudd is the founder and Senior Partner of Finsbury. Finsbury is one of the leading financial regulatory communications agencies in the world, providing strategic advice to international clients.

Roland Rudd

s, the first thing and the mightiest to

- Wendell Phillips, an American abolitionist

s and corrupt the people.

Andrew Bailey is the current Executive Director for Banking Services at the Bank of England. As Chief Cashier, his signature appears on all issued bank notes. As of 2013, he will become Deputy Chief Executive of the new Prudential Regulation Authority.

Andrew Bailey

Bill Winters is the Chief Executive and Chairman of Renshaw Bay, an asset management company which he founded earlier this year. He previously spent 25 years at JPMorgan Chase and was the coChief Executive of its investment bank.

Bill Winters

nstrate their intelligence, wit and exemplary debating skills o win your vote. day 25th November from 9.30AM - 8.30PM

22

Farewell

EIGHTH WEEK

tHIs House b gIrls Can

ProPosItIon
Miles Coates, Worcester College
The spawn of certain dubious ex-officio, Coates can be a little intense from time to time...risking his life for comedy and other banterous pursuits. And he always seems to have forgotten his binoculars...? Um... Hallo!

James Freeland, Brasenose College

A fellow sufferer of Coates amnesia, he certainly knows how to create a spectacle. Part-time model and keen promoter of committee relations, he has finally escaped the wilderness and has just come to say Hallo! Say hi to your sister, mate.

Tom Papa Curey, St Hughs College

Leading feminist thinker and general Big Name, the Party Papa is taking a rare break from sipping the Goose to share his views on gender equality.

Ash Thomas, Balliol College

International man of mystery, fashion designer and landscape gardener, Ash has an enthusiasm for proposing motions, to his cost...
Disclaimer: this speech may be frivolous.

The H With the largest electoral mandate of any Of deliver an extended floor speech

Banter is just no

Farewell

23

Thursday 1sT deceMber, 8.30PM

belIeves tHat nt tHroW

oPPosItIon
Izzy Westbury, Hertford College
Westbury drinks so infrequently that it makes the headlines. Though not her Wikipedia page. Her in camera activities were spectacular and she admits that shes had everything thrown into her. Just a little slow to catch the irony, sometimes...

Laura Winwood, Hertford College

Winners is back. Hang on, she never left. With her meek character and tendency for moderation, its no surprise that maturity is her middle name. With her support, theres little danger of the Hydra being thrown anywhere.

Adam Tyndall, Hertford College

Leftie Crumpet looking for love. GSOmoral propriety but feeling Left out. Hobbies include Saving the World and high-brow chit-chat over a skinnyFairtrade-organic-vanilla Latte.

ot her territory...

Hydra fficer, the de facto Michaelmas President will h. Nothing can stand in its way...

Weve had some real greats, but none greater than John Lee. Known for his tactful approach to sensitive issues, this debate is guaranteed to be sick for his narrative.

John Lee, Hertford College

Forums

25

Forums
Michaelmas 2011

26 27

Pinsent Masons & The Sutton Trust

Social Mobility Forum

Tues. 25th Oct (3rd Wk)

Citigroup Leadership Night

Citi at the Oxford Union

Mon. 14th Nov (6th Wk)

Social Mobility ForuM

in conjunction with:

tueSday 3rd week 25th october 7:30PM

GoodMan library
drinkS will be Served aFterwardS and there will be an oPPortunity to Meet rePreSentativeS FroM PinSent MaSonS and the Sutton truSt contact treaSurer@ oxFord-union.orG

Speakers

29

Speakers
Michaelmas 2011
30 31 32 33 34 35 38 Katie Price Oswald Boateng Lord Ian Paisley Deborah Meaden Madsen Pirie President of Mongolia Lord Nigel Lawson Douglas Carswell Roland Emmerich Kenneth Roth President of Macedonia Stuart Wheeler James Cracknell0040 Hayley McQueen 41 Steve Baker John Howard 42 Marlon Devonish President of Finland 43 David Davis 44 Nigel Farrage 00 Snow Patrol 45 Oliver Letwin 46 Matthew Elliott 00 Hanson 00 Zo Wanamaker 47

30

Speakers

Katie PRICE
WeDneSDay, 1ST Week, 12Th ocTober
Katie Price is everywhere you cant help but know who she is. Beginning her career in the pages of the Sun, the former glamour model (who began her career as Jordan) soon rocketed to fame. Katie has graced the cover of Vogue, spent time on Im a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and also had her own hugely successful reality TV series, watched by millions. Katies beginnings as a model have led to later achievements as a singer (with hits such as Not Just Anybody), businesswoman (within the cosmetics and equestrian industries), and, perhaps most importantly, as an author. The first of her four autobiographies, Being Jordan, was an instant success in 2004 and got nominated for the Biography of the Year.

Speakers

31

H.E. Ambassador Johan Verbeke was the Secretary-Generals Special Representative and Head of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia before becoming Belgiums Ambassador to the UK as of January 2010. Verbeke joined the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1981 and has served in various capacities for his countrys foreign service over the years. Having been educated in Belgium, France and Yale in the US, he has lots of experience in foreign affairs both within the government and through the UN.

H.E. The Ambassador of BELGIUM

TueSDay, 8Th Week, 29Th noveMber, 6PM

in aSSociaTion WiTh

caPiTox

The Reverend and Rt Hon.

WeDneSDay, 2nD Week, 19Th ocTober, 5PM

Lord Ian PAISLEY

A former First Minister of Northern Ireland, Lord Paisley is a religious man. He undertook theological training and founded the Protestant Telegraph as a vehicle for his views. He was the co-founder and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party for more than thirty years. In 2008, he received the Oldie of The Year Award for his contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, and in 2010 was ennobled as Baron Bannsideof North Antrim in the County of Antrim.

32

Speakers

Deborah

MEADEN

18Th ocTober, 3PM

TueSDay, 2nD Week,

One of Britains best-known entrepreneurs, Deborah Meaden is most widely known for her regular spot as a dragon in the BBC Two series Dragons Den. Deborah has invested 1,605,000 in 26 businesses over the 6 series in which she has taken part. Worth roughly 40million, Deborah is one of Britains most successful businesswomen. Having had thriving business ventures in the leisure and retail sector under her belt, Deborah has also been highly influential in the family amusement arcade business. Today, Deborahs portfolio of investments ranges from Fox Brothers, a luxury woollen cloth manufacturer based near her home in Somerset, to Value My Stuff, an online valuation service that appeared in Series 8 of Dragons Den.

Madsen
Dr. Duncan Madsen Pirie is the founder and current President of the Adam Smith Institute, a think tank well known for its libertarian views on economics. He is credited with helping Margaret Thatcher develop many of her most famous policies, such as the Community Charge (also known as the Poll Tax). His other policy recommendations have included the privatization of the Royal Mail, the introduction of charges in British public libraries, the complete removal of arts subsidies, and the abolition of restrictions on drinking.

WeDneSDay, 2nD Week, 19Th ocTober, 8PM

PIRIE

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD univerSiTy conServaTive aSSociaTion

Speakers

33

President of MONGOLIA
President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia is well-known as one of the most progressive presidents of Central Asia. A recipient of a full scholarship from Harvard University and a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, he was one of the leaders of the peaceful democratic revolution in 1990 that ended more than 65 years of Communist rule. His contributions towards democracy in the country started with his creation of Mongolias first independent newspaper Ardchilal (Democracy), where he worked as its Editor-inChief. He also created Mongolias first independent TV station Eagle TV. Since then, he has been the Prime Minister of Mongolia twice, as well as the vice-speaker and majority leader of parliament. In office, he has abolished the death penalty, spearheaded environmental projects, loosened anti-demonstration laws, and liberalised state control of the economy and media.

friDay, 2nD Week, 21ST ocTober

34

Speakers

The Rt Hon. Lord Nigel LAWSON

MonDay, 3rD Week,

24Th ocTober

Lord Lawson is a legend of public life. Educated at Westminister and Christ Church, he obtained a First in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He was a city editor of The Sunday Telegraph in 1961 and editor of The Spectator in 1966. He was a key proponent of Margaret Thatchers privatization policy, setting in motion the privatization of the gas and electricity industries as Secretary of State for Energy. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, he reformed taxes and presided over the Lawson Boom, halving unemployment by the end of his term. He is also both the father of celebrity cook Nigella Lawson and the author of the best-selling The Nigel Lawson Diet Book, which documents how he lost five stone in a matter of months.

Douglas Carswell MP is a leading advocate for increased transparency in Parliament and led the first successful campaign to eject a speaker of the House of Commons in 300 years. For his efforts, he was named Spectators Parliamentarian of the Year. He is well known for his independent and radical mind; he is sceptical of humanled Climate change, and was also the only conservative MP returned at the 2010 general election to have openly advocated proportional representation.

Douglas CARSWELL MP
TueSDay, 3rD Week, 25Th ocTober, 7PM

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD univerSiTy conServaTive aSSociaTion

Speakers

35

Roland Emmerich is the creator of such actiondriven Hollywood-Blockbusters as Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, The Patriot and 2012. He is one of the most popular and certainly the most successful European directors of all time. He is coming to the Union to promote his most recent project, Anonymous, which promises to be a fascinating historical thriller about the most famous author of all time - Shakespeare. Anonymous is a fulminant opus about passion and betrayal in the mystery of Shakespearian authorship.

EMMERICH
WeDneSDay, 3rD Week, 26Th ocTober, 3PM

Roland

Kenneth

ROTH

friDay, 3rD Week, 28Th ocTober, 8PM

As the executive director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), Kenneth Roth is the front man of the worlds leading independent organization dedicated to the defence and the protection of human rights. The former attorney was first drawn to human rights issues by stories of his father being forced to flee the Nazi regime in 1938. Under his stewardship, HRW has helped to convict Liberian dictator Charles Taylor and Chiles Augusto Pinochet, for crimes against humanity. In 1997, HRW shared the Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution toward the Mine Ban Treaty.

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD univerSiTy huMan righTS neTWork

There Will be a chaMPagne recePTion WiTh aT 9PM folloWing ThiS Talk

ouhrn

36

Termcard

Sunday 0th Week

2

Monday
International Orientation Day

Tuesday
3
OUSU Freshers Fair

1st Week
2nd Week 3rd Week 4th Week 5th Week 6th Week 7th Week 8th Week

Debaters Drinks

Graduate Drinks

10

International Drinks

11

Debaters Workshop

16

17

Deborah Meaden Russia Debate

18

Debaters Workshop

23

Lord Nigel Lawson

24

Social Mobility Forum

Douglas Carswell

25

Debaters Workshop

30
Trick or Treat

31

President of Macedonia Stuart Wheeler

Debaters Workshop

James Cracknell
Wine Tasting

Hayley McQueen Sport Debate

Debaters Workshop

13

Citigroup 14 Leadership Night John Howard

Champagne & Jazz

15

Debaters Workshop Silicon Valley Debate

20

Nigel Farage Posh Play

21

Snow Patrol 22 Oliver Letwin Mistletoe Madness Posh Play

27

Hanson

28

29

Termcard

37

Wednesday
OUSU Freshers Fair

Thursday
OUSU Re-Freshers Fair

Friday
6
the OxfOrd

Saturday
7
the OxfOrd

UniOn

UniOn

Student Survival

Fair

Student Survival

Fair

Katie Price

12

No Confidence Debate

13

Ball Launch Party

14

15

Ozwald Boateng

Campus Movie Fest Ian Paisley Madsen Pirie

19

News Debate

20

President of Mongolia Oktoberfest

21

22

Roland Emmerich
the OxfOrd

26

In A Nutshell

UniOn

Education Debate

27

Champagne Reception

Kenneth Roth Soul of Seoul

28

29

Democracy Debate

New York, New York ball

Ann Summers Party

10

Oxford IV Steve Baker

11

Oxford IV

12

President of Finland David Davis Matthew Elliott Posh Play

16

Israel Debate

17

18

19

23

Finance Debate

24

Election Day Posh Play

25

26

30

Zo Wanamaker

38

President of

Speakers

of MACEDONIA
TueSDay, 4Th Week,

The Former Yugoslav Republic

1ST noveMber
Elected as President of the Former Yugoslave Republic of Macedonia in 2009, Gjorge Ivanov is also one of the countrys leading intellectuals in political theory and philosophy. Starting as an editor at the national broadcasting station, Ivanov has since received professorships from numerous European universities. During the Yugoslav era, Ivanov pleaded for greater political pluralism and a market economy in his home country. His presidency is characterized by a focus on Macedonias EU and NATO membership, improvement of relations with Greece and economic growth and domestic stability.

Stuart Wheeler is the treasurer of the United Kingdom Independence Party. The Old Etonian read Law at Oxford and was a barrister before making a fortune as the founder of spread betting firm IG Index. A major Conservative Party donor, his euroscepticism led him to found the Trust Party in 2010, under whose banner he contested the Bexhill and Battle seat, winning 4.9% of the vote. He is a regular player of online bridge, and often participates in the World Series of Poker.

WHEELER
TueSDay, 4Th Week, 1ST noveMber, 8PM

Stuart

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD univerSiTy conServaTive aSSociaTion

Speakers

39

Johnny Depp is a true original;he has frequently collaborated with director Tim Burton to breathe life into memorably quirky characters, starring in such films as Edward Scissorhands (1990), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). He has been nominated for three Academy Awards for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Finding Neverland, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He has also been twice named as the Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine in 2003 and 2009. He founded his own production company in 2004, and its first production, The Rum Diary, will be released later this year.

SaTurDay, 4Th Week 5Th noveMber, 12PM

DEPP

Johnny

Hilary

friDay 6Th Week, 18Th noveMber, 8PM

LISTER

Hilary Lister is a record-breaking quadriplegic British sailor. She suffers from the progressive condition reflex sympathetic dystrophy and controls her ship by using sip-and-puff technology for steering and sails. An alumnus of Jesus College, Oxford, she became the first quadriplegic to sail solo across the English Channel when she did it in 6 hours and 13 minutes in 2005. In 2009 she took it one step further by becoming the first disabled woman to sail solo around Britain.

hilary liSTer Will be SPeaking During DiSabiliTy aWareneSS Week in 6Th Week

40

Speakers

James CRACKNELL
MonDay, 5Th Week, 7Th noveMber, 8.30PM
James is one of Britains most successful athletes of all time, with 2 Olympic Gold Medals and 6 World Championship titles. His epic rowing finals in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 were two of the most watched sporting contests in history but it is really since retiring from his 13 year international career that James has distinguished himself as a very special and inspiring sportsman, athlete and adventurer. Over recent years, James has co-written the critically acclaimed The Crossing and the BBC transmitted documentary series Through Hell and High Water. James was also asked by the BBC to set out on a journey in which he rowed The English Channel, cycled through France and Spain and finally swam The Strait of Gibraltar, accompanied by comedian David Walliams. It took him a mere ten days to cover just under 1500 miles and raise 340,000 for Sport Relief.

Speakers

41

Hayley McQueen was born to be a sportscaster. The daughter of notable Manchester United defender and Scottish international Gordon McQueen, she studied PR Marketing and Journalism at university. She first made her break into the football world as a reporter for Middlesbrough FCs TV channel. After a brief stint at Sky Sports, she returned to her fathers club as the anchor for MUTV in 2010. Since then, she has hosted the World Cup Breakfast Show, and is currently back at Sky Sports.

McQUEEN
TueSDay, 5Th Week 8Th noveMber, 5PM

Hayley

Steve

BAKER MP
friDay, 5Th Week, 11Th noveMber, 8PM

Steve Baker is an all-rounder: starting as a Royal Air Force engineer officer leading major peacekeeping operations around the world, the current Conservative MP decided to re-engage in academics, taking an MSc in Computer Science at St Cross College and working as a professional Software Engineer. As an MP, Baker stands for a working system of parliamentary democracy and sound economics, while pleading for equality and social justice. Baker takes care of the small people, working to ensure the right and the dignity to make ones own decisions for everybody, as demonstrated in his engagement in winter night shelters and day centres for homeless people.

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD univerSiTy conServaTive aSSociaTion

42

Speakers

The Hon. John HOWARD

14Th noveMber, 5PM
MonDay, 6Th Week,

After joining the Liberal Party of Australia in 1957, John Howard has been one of its most prominent representatives between 1982 and 2007. He became the 25th Prime Minister of Australia in 1996, leading the country into a period of sustained substantial economic growth. As the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister, Howard has been unafraid of making controversial decisions, such as his confirmation of the Australian constitutional monarchy or the rejection of Aboriginal land rights. Since stepping down as Prime Minister, Howard has been chairman of the International Democrat Union, uniting conservative political parties worldwide.

AC, SSI

With more than 16 years experience of competing at World Championships and an impressive medal stash, few athletes have as much experience as Marlon Devonish. One of the most notable achievements of his career to date came at the 2004 Olympics where Devonish won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 m. relay. At the British Championships in July 2006, Devonish also became the first man since Linford Christie in 1988 to win both the 100 m and 200 m races at the event and is the coholder of the Commonwealth record for the 4x100m mens relay.

DEVONISH
DaTe Tbc

Marlon

Speakers

43

President of FINLAND
Finlands first female President Tarja Halonen is one of the most influential women of our time. The former lawyer can look back upon an extensive career in trade unions and NGOs before winning the 2000 election with the Social Democrat Party. Strongly committed to issues such as womens and LGBT rights, Halonen has been mentioned several times as a candidate for the United Nations SecretaryGeneral. With her dedication and political verve, she is one of the most popular political Finnish personalities and has been ranked as one of Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World list in 2008 and 2009.

WeDneSDay, 6Th Week, 16Th noveMber

44

After a successful business career, Davis entered British politics where he has been a Minister of State, Chairman of the Conservative Party, Shadow Deputy Prime Minister as well as Shadow Home Secretary after being David Camerons opponent for the 2005 Conservative leadership election. Since his 2008 decision to step back from the Shadow Cabinet and fight a by-election in his constituency over civil liberties, he is arguably the most prominent backbencher of the current Parliament. He now enjoys the liberty to participate in todays healthy political debate by saying exactly what he wants.

WeDneSDay, 6Th Week 16Th noveMber, 8PM

DAVIS MP

David

Speakers

Nigel

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD univerSiTy conServaTive aSSociaTion

FARAGE MEP
MonDay, 7Th Week, 21ST noveMber, 8PM

Nigel Farage is a Eurosceptic extraordinaire. He is the Leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party and co-chair of the Eurosceptic Europe of Freedom and Democracy group. He is well known for his political courage. In his maiden speech to UKIP, he told delegates that UKIP was at the centre-ground of British public opinion. When Prince Charles gave a speech to the European Parliament in 2008 calling for greater EU leadership on climate change, he was the only MEP to remain seated in the ovation that followed. In 2010, he defied convention to campaign against the Speaker of Houses seat of Buckingham at Westminister, coming third.

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD STuDenTS for freeDoM anD DeMocracy

Speakers

45

Snow PATROL
TueSDay, 7Th Week, 22nD noveMber, 3PM
Snow Patrol is one of the biggest bands of the last century - as such, their new album (Fallen Empires) arrives with a serious reputation attached. The band has sold over 11 million albums and has been responsible for several era-defining singles, including Run, Chocolate, and Chasing Cars (which spent an incredible 104 weeks in the UK charts and was voted song of the decade in a Channel 4 poll). Their albums have been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, Grammys and MTV Europe Music Awards. By anyones standards, its been a pretty good century so far. In October 2010, the band drove out into the desert with their guitars and one or two rough song ideas. A week later, they had laid the foundations of the tracks that would comprise Fallen Empires. This stunning new album is Snow Patrols latest contribution to British music.

46

Oliver Letwin is a Government Minister and Conservative MP. Currently the Secretary of State for Policy, and a former Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Chancellor, Mr Letwin has a supreme knowledge of how government works. Indeed, he played an important role in the Conservative election Campaign in 2010 and was described as the Gandalf of the process.

LETWIN MP
TueSDay, 7Th Week 22nD noveMber, 8PM

Oliver

Speakers

Matthew

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD univerSiTy conServaTive aSSociaTion

ELLIOTT

WeDneSDay, 7Th Week Matthew Elliot has been described by the 23rD noveMber, 8PM BBC as one of the most effective lobbyists at

Westminister and by ConservativeHome as probably the most effective political campaigner Britain has produced in a generation. He launched the Taxpayers Alliance in 2004, one of the most influential pressure groups for lower taxes and better public spending, and in 2009 founded Big Brother Watch to campaign for civil liberties. In 2010, he led the NO Campaign to AV, which won by a two to one margin.

in aSSociaTion WiTh oxforD univerSiTy conServaTive aSSociaTion

Hanson have been a successful pop band with a hugely dedicated fan following since the three brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, landed their first hit MMMBop in 1997.With drummer Zac being the youngest Grammy-nominated songwriter in history, HANSONs always been characterised by a great deal of self-determination. Creating their own independent record label in 2003 (3CG) has enabled HANSON to take over the entire machinery of record making - with both its difficulties and rewards. Writing and producing everything on their own and collaborating with numerous special guests such as Bob Babbitt has made their recent album Shout It Out a very unique example of truly great music.

MonDay, 8Th Week 28Th noveMber

HANSON

Speakers

47

Zo WANAMAKER
Zo Wanamaker is one of Britains most versatile and talented actresses. She is known for such on-screen roles as quirky Harry Potter flying instructor Rolanda Hooch and Susan Harper in the long-running situational comedy My Family, as well as for countless roles on stage in plays ranging from those by Sophocles and Shakespeare to those by Arthur Miller. Over the course of her successful career she has won two Olivier Awards and has received several nominations for the Tony Award. Passionate about charity, since 1998 Wanamaker has been a patron of the UK charity Tree Aid, which enables communities in Africas drylands to fight poverty and become self-reliant, and in 2006 recorded a successful Radio 4 appeal for the charity.

friDay, 8Th Week, 2nD DeceMber

48

Speakers

in NEGOTIATION
At the time of going to print, we are still in negotiation with several other very prominent figures from the worlds of music, fashion, sport and politics. Details will therefore be released in due course.

Speakers still

___ The aMbaSSaDor of belgiuM ___ chriS Mullin ___ STornoWay ___ firST Sea lorD, aDMiral Sir Mark STanhoPe ___ DaviD SeaMan

Socials

49

Socials
Michaelmas 2011
50 51 52 53 54 Debaters Drinks Graduate Drinks International Drinks Ball Launch Campus Movie Fest Oktoberfest Trick or Treat
New York, New York Ball

Ann Summers Party 56 Champagne & Jazz 00 Wine Tasting 57 Mistletoe Madness 00 Posh Play 58 International Cinema Club 59

48

Socials

Sunday 1st Week 9th October 6.30PM

Drinks and Snacks will follow

Show Debate in main Chamber

Debaters Drinks
Contact:

benjamin.woolgar@balliol.ox.ac.uk

7.30PM 10th October Monday, 1st Week

Drinks & Canaps

Maryam.torshizi@seh.ox.ac.uk

Oxford Union Presents

Graduate Drinks Party

Drinks and Canaps

Graduate Party

All Oxford graduate Join us Monday 10th of October students are invited at 7:30pm at Macmillan Room to this event.
maryam.torshizi@seh.ox.ac.uk This is an event for all
Oxford Graduates.

All international students are invited for complimentary drinks and canaps, and a short introduction to the Union. richard.pollack@spc.ox.ac.uk

Ball Launch

50

Socials

Socials

51

In association with:

Sponsored by:

New York,,
FridaY

MichaelM

4 4

th

week

th

NoveMBer

8.30 PM
dress

till late code: Black tie

eMBers uests

tickets:

49 MG 59

secretarY@ox

Miles

New York
Ball
chaMPaGNe recePtioN ProFessioNal cocktails uNliMited alcohol autheNtic NY hotdoGs live Jazz & other acts sileNt disco live cheerleadiNG
coates

Mas

xFord uNioN.orG

10th November 8PM Tickets 5, Guests 8 Wine & Chocolates Games & Giggles Lingerie Toys

party
the

OxfOrd UniOn

Coming soon to the

OxfOrd UniOn:

Tuesday 6th Week 15th November Members: 8 Guests: 11

Live Jazz
&

Champagne

tristan.honeyborne@magd.ox.ac.uk

&

Champagne

girls only sarah.jones@jesus.ox.ac.uk

54 Thursday 5th Week

Socials

Monday 5th Week

For more details contact: james.price@worc.ox.ac.uk

Tickets 10 Members (13 Guests) 7.30PM

Wine Tasting

for beginners

Mistletoe Madness
Mulled Wine Mince Pies Christmas Carols Hot Chocolate Gingerbread Men For more information contact: rajiv.dattani@st-annes.ox.ac.uk 7 Members 10 Guests Tuesday 7th Week 8PM

Information

61

Information
Michaelmas 2011
62 63 64 66 67 68 Facilities The Members Bar The Library The Treasury Treasurers Treats Competitive Debating Returning Officers 70 Access 71 How the Union Works 72 Getting Involved 73 Committee & Staff 74 Whos Who 76 Presidents Thanks 77

62

Union Facilities
MEMBERS Bar
Redecorated and revived, the Bar is one of the most central, atmospheric and best-value bars in Oxford.

Facilities

LIBRARIES & Reading Rooms

As well as the Main Library, the Poetry Room, Goodman Library and Gladstone Room house an extensive list of fiction, academic and political texts. Read a book or relax with a drink in the Victorian splendour of these wonderful rooms.

SNOOKER Room

Located in the cellars of the Union, the Purple Turtle is the most central student club in Oxford. When Michael Heseltine was President in 1954, he had the coal cellars converted into a bar and music venue. Entry is free to all Union members and the PT is open every day, providing members with the cheapest late-night venue in town.

PURPLE TURTLE Nightclub

The Union has two full-sized snooker tables (the only ones in central Oxford), which are available exclusively for use by members. Book for just 2.50 per hour in the General Office or at the Bar outside office hours.

INTERNET & Photocopying

There is a 50-inch plasma screen in the television room with terrestrial and digital television, as well as a DVD player.

TELEVISION Room

Free wireless internet is available throughout the buildings - just register in the General Office to obtain the log-in details. Photocopying is available in the Library - some of Oxfords cheapest at just 5p per copy.

The Unions rooms are available for private hire by Members at discounted rates. Please contact events@oxford-union.org for more details.

ROOM Hire

Members Bar

Members

63

Bar

he Bar is one of the biggest attractions of the Union. Boasting some of the cheapest drinks in Oxford, with pints for as little as 1.50, the Bar is a fantastic central venue to meet friends from other colleges, whether for a light lunch or early-evening cocktails. The Bar offers light food and snacks as well as coffee, tea and soft and alcoholic beverages throughout the day. This Michaelmas we have launched a number of new initiatives in the Bar:

Curry Night

Monday

MEMBERS Pricing

For the first time ever, guests will be allowed into the bar free-of-charge while members will benefit from a 25% discount on normal prices.

Debate Night
offers

Thursday

REDECORATED Walls

Weve hauled some historic photos from the archives along with other new additions, and have created a great new atmosphere for you to enjoy!

CLUB NIGHT
Saturday
THE FACTOR
@ THE UNION

Friday

FREE BAR Voucher

Claim your free 10 voucher when you take out Life Membership during our Freshers Fortnight. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Bridget, the House Manager at bar@ oxford-union.org

Prices are subject to change, and offers subject to availability. Members may bring no more than three guests into the Bar.

64

Library

From the LIBRARIAN

THE Library
The Library is yours - structured in a way which best reflects the diversity of disciplines studied at the University. It remains one of Oxfords largest lending libraries and a valuable resource for those who wish to work outside the Bodleian. Members have the option of borrowing books from our extensive collection for fourteen days at a time. Most of our collection can be found on OLIS, but should you require any assistance, our staff will always be delighted to help you find what you are looking for. Unique in having an expansive collection of travel books and modern fiction, as well as DVDs, the Library is constantly aiming to fulfil all the possible needs of our membership. Be sure to look out for copies in our fiction collection which have been presented to the Library by the authors themselves when they came to the Union as a guest speaker!

FROM The Librarian

The Library Staff work hard every day to ensure that the Library is up-to-date, useful and easy to use. However, we are always open and receptive to suggestions and criticism. Should you find that there is a book or DVD missing from the collection, please do let us know by requesting the title in the suggestions book in the Library reception. There is also an online form available on our website: www.oxford-union. org. Library Committee considers the requests every week, so each suggestion receives a quick response. If you are interested in getting more involved with the Union Library, positions are available on Library Committee which meets once a week to discuss, amongst other things, book and DVD requests, and to oversee general Library business. If you need any further information, or if you want to get involved, please feel free to email me on librarian@oxford-union.org. Yours,

st CatHerInes College lIbrarIan, MICHaelMas terM 2011

Izzy ernst

Library

The Library
he Library is amongst the most beautiful in Oxford; Pre-Raphaelite murals adorn the walls, painted between 1857 and 1859 by artists including Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones.

65

FREE DVD Voucher

he Oxford Union Library has a fascinating collection of books from the 19th Century and earlier. These are the books that Oxford undergraduates would have been reading at that time and not all of them for their studies! Alas, many of these historic books are now in desperate need of repair and conservation.

Adopt -a-Book

Claim your free DVD voucher when you take out Life Membership during our Freshers Fortnight.

YOU CAN Help

It is very easy to adopt a Union Library book. And by securing its future, you will become part of the great unfolding history of a world-famous institution. Just visit our web site at: www.oxford-union.org/library/adopt-a-book/ Choose the book(s) that you would like to adopt and follow the instructions. Thank you

Website: Phone: Email: Facebook: Twitter:

Oxford Union Library, Frewin Court, OXFORD OX1 3JB

www.oxford-union.org 01865 246782 library@oxford-union.org www.facebook.com/ OxfordUnionSocietyLibrary @OxfordUnion

CONTACT Us

66

Treasury

From the TREASURER

Dear members, Coming up to Oxford for the first time is without a doubt one of the most exciting and interesting experiences you will have. Whether you are a fresher or a returning student, the Oxford Union promises another fantastic term, full of events and experiences that no other student society can offer. My colleagues in the Treasury and I have worked hard over the summer to put together a high-profile and innovative range of events, members discounts and floor prizes, to ensure that you get maximum benefit from your membership. This term the Union will host an unprecedented range and number of events in conjunction with leading graduate recruiters. The graduate jobs market has never been more competitive nor the recruitment process so complex, and the Union and its partners are providing fantastic opportunities to help you make sense of it. Treasurers Treats are exclusive members-only deals at a wide variety of businesses across the city, saving you surprising amounts of money over the course of your time at Oxford. These include everything from significant discounts through to special offers, and are another way in which your Union membership represents fantastic value for money. The details of them can be found overleaf, or on our website. Awarded to those who make the best speeches from the audience, our floor prizes are a great incentive for speaking during our debates, particularly given the number and quality of them this term. The Union is many things, but at its heart are the principles of free speech and rigorous topical debate, and I believe it is crucial to encourage as many people as possible to participate in our debates. As Treasurer, I am responsible for maintenance of the building and facilities, as well as advising on the Societys finances. The Union is a fantastic organisation, but there is of course always room for improvement. The best way for this to happen is for you, our members, to get involved: whether by simply emailing me feedback and suggestions to treasurer@oxford-union.org or by coming along to one of our committees to have input into the running of the Society. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible, and wish you all a very enjoyable Michaelmas Term. Yours

brasenose College treasurer, MICHaelMas terM 2011

jaMes freeland

Treasury

67

Treasurers Treats
Your Union card just got a whole lot more valuable, with treats available at numerous different businesses all over town. From Babylove Bar to the Phoenix Cinema, the Duke of Cambridge to House Cocktails, just flash your card to get your discount. Enjoy!

covereD MarkeT
Alpha Bar Michels Crperie Pieminister Bolitas

Buy bag of 6 & get Brazilian Guarana can free

10% off 10% off Free peas with a student meal

Park enD
Duke of Cambridge Que Pasa The Living Room

Happy Hour prices Sun-Thurs 20% off food 2-for-1 cocktails before 9PM 40% off before 5PM Mon-Fri

ciTy cenTre
Babylove Bar EAT Fudge Kitchen Greens Cafe Heroes Cafe The House La Croissanterie Mr Simms Kebab Kid Vaults & Garden Shakespeares Oxford G&Ds

25% off entry 10% off drinks Free coffee when you spend 5 Double Stamps 20% off Free cake with any sandwich Happy Hour prices before 11PM 20% off 10% off 15% off 20% off 15% off 10% off

Jericho
Manos Caf Phoenix Cinema Raouls The Big Bang

10% off food 2-for-1 tickets on Union Tuesdays 30% off between 4PM and 8PM 25% off the Union Special

coWley
Verde

20% off

Competitive Debating
T

68

Competitive Debating

he Oxford Union offers an unrivalled range of opportunities, but it remains true to its heritage as one of the worlds oldest, and most successful, debating societies. Oxford are the current European champions (in fact, weve won the Euros seven times in its 13year history - no other university has won more than once), and have reached the Grand Final of the World Championships five years running (again, something no other university has ever achieved), winning Worlds in 2008 and 2009. The Oxford Union is the worlds most successful debating society and debating for Oxford is incredibly exciting, as well as being great fun.

EXTERNAL Tournaments

The Union selects and pays for squads to attend inter-varsity tournaments all over Britain, and also to the World and European Championships, which gives opportunities for lots of exotic foreign travel (not that trips to Newcastle for debating arent exciting!). There are usually a couple of tournaments every weekend, and every squad the Oxford Union sends contains at least 25% novices, so dont worry about lacking experience. In addition, trials for Worlds, which takes place over the Christmas vac (this year in the capital of the Philippines, Manila) will be held in 2nd week; information will be sent out soon. Trials for Euros in Belgrade (next August) will be held in Hilary term.

OUR Tournaments

To enable us to have all of these amazing opportunities, the Oxford Union runs a mammoth 5 external tournaments this year:

All of these tournaments require volunteers and Organising Committees. Being involved looks great on your CV, and is looked on very favourably during selection for external tournaments. To be kept posted on debating, sign up to our Debate Announce Mailing List, by sending a blank message to debate-announce-subscribe@ maillist.ox.ac.uk, or e-mail the Chair of the Debates Selection Committee, Ben Woolgar, at benjamin.woolgar@balliol.ox.ac.uk

Competitive Debating
The Morgan Stanley Oxford IV 2011. Our flagship intervarsity tournament, drawing 140 teams from as far away as Melbourne, Tokyo and California.

69
11th-12th Nov 11

The Clifford Chance Oxford Schools Debating Rounds: Jan-Feb 12 Competition 2011. The worlds largest debating competition Finals: 10th Mar 12 for school children. The BarCap Oxford Womens Open. Britains first and only all-female debating competition, which the Union started 3 years ago to improve access to debating for women. OxStrals. A tournament in the Australasian 3-on-3 format for universities. The International Competition for Young Debaters. The national championships for Under-15s, run by a consortium of universities across the UK, and this year centrally convened by Oxford. 20th-21st Jan 12

April 12

Finals: May 12

DEBATERS Drinks

GET Involved

On Sunday of Freshers Week, October 9th, we will be running an introductory evening to show you what competitive debating is all about. Eight of the worlds best debaters will show you a master-class in debating, and there will also be talks about all of the ways you can get involved. The evening is being generously sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers, and afterwards there will be drinks and snacks (free booze is a very important part of universities debating).

SUNDAY DEBATING Workshops

Every Sunday evening thereafter, at 6.30pm in the Goodman Library, we run an extensive weekly coaching programme, ranging from the basics of parliamentary debating (for those whove never done it before), to advanced sessions on strategy and specialist knowledge, given by former World and European Champions. Afterwards, there are internal competitions to put the skills youve learnt into practice, so do come along!

Join us at the Oxford International Debating Society

www.oxids.org Every Monday 7-9PM the

OxfOrd UniOn

Returning Officers
Interested in getting involved but dont want to run for election? Applications are NOW open for Deputy Returning Officers and Returning Officers Assistants.

The Returning Officers team are responsible for overseeing the Societys rules and organising the termly elections. Jobs range from interviewing election candidates to patrolling Oxford on election days spotting miscreant hacks and counting the votes afterwards. Applications for DRO positions should be sent to president@oxford-union.org by 3pm on Monday of 2nd week and will be subject to a scrutiny process. Applications for ROA positions should be sent to ro@oxfordunion.org by Friday of 7th week.

the OxfOrd

UniOn

For more information, contact ro@oxford-union.org

Access

he Oxford Union is committed to improving Access and Equality in Oxford University. We are therefore proud to be running our Change Through Debate scheme this term, where the brightest debaters from schools all over the country will be invited to participate in afternoon workshops led by world-famous debaters, before attending a debate in the evening. This term, there is a substantial reduction of membership fees for new members in receipt of a full government maintenance grant*, marking real value for money and affordability: 155 (106 during the Unions Freshers Fortnight).

Access Schemes

71

hose interested in access should come along to Access Committee, which meets every other Wednesday of term. For further information please contact the Access Officer at sebastian.leape@keble.ox.a,c uk or the Access Officer for Women at sarah.jones2@jesus.ox.ac.uk

Access Committee

entral to our Access policy has been our Womens Initiative, which has focused on widening participation amongst female members and dispelling any negative stereotypes that may occur. We are committed to encouraging female members to take part in everything that the Union has to offer, from competitive debating to running for election. This term, a number of events have been organised to encourage women to get involved, beginning with an introductory night to the Union: This drinks event will take place on Wednesday 3rd week, 26th October, and aims to provide information about the Union and how to get involved in a friendly, welcoming environment. Also, back by popular demand, is our Ann Summers social, featuring Lingerie, Toys, Games and Giggles - be there on Thursday of 5th Week (Girls only!). If you would like to know more or have any suggestions for the Initiative, please contact Sarah Jones on women@oxford-union.org, or come along to the Consultative Committee on Mondays at 1.15pm to talk to me in person.

Womens Access

the OxfOrd UniOn In A Nutshell

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How the Union Works

STANDING Committee

Socials
President: overall responsibility for the Society & arranging debates. Treasurer: responsible for raising Secretary: responsible for the terms social events & minuting meetings.
assist the Officers & plan social events. sponsorship & maintenance of buildings. & arranging some speakers.

Librarian: responsible for the Library

Chairman: Izzy Westbury, Hertford, President The Unions governing body. Standing Committee makes all the major decisions about the running of the Society and oversees the work of all the other committees. Mondays, 5PM, Presidents Office

Members of Standing Committee:

running social events & responsible for distributing publicity.

Secretarys Committee: assist with

Chairman: Izzy Westbury, Hertford, President Responsible for scrutinising termly, annual and social event budgets and reporting its findings to Standing Committee. Mondays, 4.20PM, Presidents Office

FINANCE Committee

Chairman: Izzy Ernst, St Catherines, Librarian

LIBRARY Committee

All new library books and DVDs are chosen by this committee. Any member can apply to sit on the committee by emailing librarian@oxford-union.org.

Mondays, 4.30PM, Morris Room

Co-Chairs: Sebastian Leape & Sarah Jones, Access Officers Discusses all access-related matters. The aim is to promote access and wider participation within the Society and its committees. Any member can apply to sit on the committee by emailing sebastian.leape@keble.ox.ac.uk.

ACCESS Committee

Every Member is automatically part of this committee. Its your chance to ask the Officers about their work, hear updates on whats going on and vote on the weeks Emergency Debate motion.

Chairman: Michael Economou, Wadham, CCC

CONSULTATIVE Committee

Ad Hoc (twice termly) Chairman: Benjamin Woolgar, Balliol, CDSC

Mondays, 1.15PM, Gladstone Room

DEBATES SELECTION Cttee

Made up of Oxfords best debaters, its primary duty is to select members to represent the Union at debating competitions. It also organises internal competitions and promotes debating in Oxford.

College reps attend Consultative Committee to provide feedback on their colleges views, concerns and suggestions. To apply, email Izzy Westbury at president@oxford-union.org.

COLLEGE Representatives

Sundays, 7PM, Gladstone Room

Chairman: Miles Coates, Worcester, Secretary Ad Hoc (twice termly)

WINES & SPIRITS Committee

The committee determines what alcohol the bar stocks and how much it will cost. To apply, email secretary@oxford-union.org.

All committees are open to ALL MEMBERS

Getting Involved

here Ttermlyare many ways to get involved here at the Oxford Union, from running in our elections to applying for an appointed position.

Getting Involved

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1. THE OXFORD UNION in a Nutshell 2. ATTEND a Committee

Enjoy drinks & canaps and learn everything you need to know about the Union at this social event thrown by the Access Officers, Sebastian Leape and Sarah Jones, at 8PM, Wednesday 3rd Week.

All of the committees at the Union are open to ALL MEMBERS. To see what gets done and how we do it, come along to any one of our committees.

If you would like to get more involved with the society without running for election, you can apply to be appointed to become a voting member on any of the following committees: Finance, Library, Access and Wines & Spirits Committee. Similarly, you can apply to become a College Representative, a Guest Liaison Officer with responsibility for offering hospitality to our guests, or a Deputy Returning Officer in order to assist the Returning Officer during the termly elections.

APPOINTED 3. Positions

Qualifying Speeches To run for any position, you need to qualify by speaking in the Chamber during a debate. For Secretarys Committee you must have made TWO speeches, at least one of which is in the term in which you are running. For Standing Committee or for Office, you must have made FOUR speeches. Speeches must be made on different nights, and can be made in any of the main debates, the Emergency Debate, or the After-Debate. Nominations Nominations are open between 9.30AM, Fri 5th Week, and 3PM, Fri 6th Week. Nomination forms can be picked up from the General Office and contain all the information you will need to nominate. Help Out Before the election, candidates must help the Returning Officer by distributing manifesto booklets in college pidges and putting posters up in colleges. Vote! If you have any questions, please do contact the President-Elect, Lauren Pringle at president-elect@oxford-union.org, or the Returning Officer, Katherine Sidders, at ro@oxford-union.org

RUN 4. in Elections

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Committee and Staff

PresIdent lIbrarIan treasurer s e C r e ta r y PresIdent-eleCt lIbrarIan-eleCt treasurer-eleCt ex-PresIdents

Committee & Staff

STANDING Committee

Izzy Westbury, Hertford College Izzy Ernst, St Catherines College James Freeland, Brasenose College Miles Coates, Worcester College Lauren Pringle, Wadham College Luke Eaton, Jesus College John Lee, Hertford College James Dray, Mansfield College Stuart Cullen, Christ Church Laura Winwood, Hertford College James Kingston, Christ Church James Langman, University College Ashvir Sangha, The Queens College Hasan Ali, Christ Church Poppy Simister, Christ Church Jack Sennett, Lincoln College Cyrus Nasseri, Exeter College Hannah Tryl, Christ Church Maria Rioumine, Christ Church James Price, Worcester College Rajiv Dattani, St Annes College Dean Palmer, Jesus College Tristan Honeyborne, Magdalen College Michael Economou, Wadham College Benjamin Woolgar, Balliol College Katherine Sidders, Trinity College Revd Dr Robert Tobin, Oriel College Mr Stephen Dixon, Downing College (Cambridge)

ex-lIbrarIan ex-treasurers

e x - s e C r e ta r y eleCted MeMbers

CHaIrMan of CC CHaIrMan of dsC returnIng offICer senIor lIbrarIan senIor treasurer

Committee & Staff

Nina Fischer, Corpus Christi James Bradford, Jesus Rebecca Scott, St Annes Jocelyn Poon, University Ali Hazrati, Wadham Madeline Grant, St Hildas

Laura Aitken-Burt, Lady Margaret Hall Kevin Tan, Christ Church Caroline Siebald, St Catherines Oliver Johnson, Exeter Eylon Aslan-Levy, Brasenose

SECRETARYS Committee

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APPOINTED Officials
Press offICer dePuty Press offICer PublICIty offICer MedIa offICer aCCess offICer aCCess offICer (WoMen) g r a d u at e o f f I C e r I n t e r n at I o n a l o f f I C e r b r o o k e s r e P r e s e n tat I v e C H I e f o f s ta f f guest lIaIson offICers Alexander Reut-Hobbs, New College Mark Greaves, Jesus College Thomas Rutland, Jesus College Ethan Dorman E. Followwill Sebastian Leape, Keble College Sarah Jones, Jesus College Maryam Fayaz Torshizi, St Edmunds Hall Richard Pollack, St Peters College Daudi Mukasa, Oxford Brookes William Arthur, Worcester College Aaron Rai, Hertford Rishi Patel, Jesus Daniel Parker, Hertford Timothy Smith, Jesus Lucy Garrett, St Hughs Adam Tyndall, Hertford College Philip Schroeder, Lady Margaret Hall Ben Ruddle, Jesus College Tom Cureton, St Hughs College

CHIef advIsor PresIdents Counsel CHIef eConoMIst P r e s I d e n t s C o u rt I e r

STAFF

bursar Lindsey Warne House Manager Bridget Gaughan l I b r a r I a n - I n - C H a r g e Su Lockley events Manager aCCounts Manager o f f I C e s e C r e ta r y It offICer arCHIvIst Head barPerson Sarah-Jane ONeill Natacha Bryan Melanie Roberts
Jeremy Worth, Keble College

Graeme Hall, OLIP Ceri Matthews

All photos of the Oxford Union buildings Barker Evans. All cartoons Laura Westbury. All speaker photographs Eddie Gallacher.

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Whos Who?

Whos Who Izzy Westbury PRESIDENT

Izzy Ernst LIBRARIAN

James Freeland TREASURER

Miles Coates SECRETARY

Lauren Pringle PRESIDENT-ELECT

STANDING COMMITTEE

Luke Eaton LIBRARIAN-ELECT

John Lee TREASURER-ELECT

Maria Rioumine

James Price

SECRETARYS COMMITTEE

Rajiv Dattani

Dean Palmer

Tristan Honeyborne

Nina Fischer

James Bradford

Rebecca Scott

Jocelyn Poon

Ali Hazrati

Maddy Grant

Laura Aitken-Burt

Kevin Tan

Caroline Siebald

Oliver Johnson

Eylon Aslan-Levy

Presidents Thanks
Writing thanks was always going to be difficult, not least because I am constantly reminded how I lack in empathy, but because there really are so many people that deserve to be on this page.

My family: I miss you all loads and I definitely couldnt have done it without you. Thank you for always being there when I needed it most. Mummy - The cartoons are incredible!!! I still have a desk waiting here for you. Daddy - for bringing reason to my ramblings. Julia & Sophia - for reminding me just how deranged I am. Cyrus: I could write forever about how brilliant you have been, but I dont think it will ever make up for how much you did for me. You were there when no-one else was. Chalk and cheese we may be, but without you I wouldnt have won, plain and simple. I owe you so much and I dont think I did you justice. You are amazing at what you do so have faith and do it. Freeland: You stuck with me when it was so easy not to. I am so grateful for your support throughout and for overcoming your initial impression of me. Great vac for the Treasury - now youve got to persuade me to enjoy a term for the members! Miles: My dear boy, I told you I wouldnt know what to say - truly lost for words. My pet rules gimp, strategist, grammatist and fashion stylist all in one - every girl should have one. The Hydra: Because I couldnt not mention it. I will not be overpowered, mind. Laura: I was your seccie and how long ago does that feel now A Hertford legacy perhaps? Its been a rollercoaster ride but so glad to have had your military mastermind mapping out the campaign - especially when done in the Randolph. Chris: why do I think of elephants and puddle ducks when your name springs up? Youre mad - fact, but priceless and Im just glad I never got on the wrong side of you! Rik: As you said yourself, you were that extra bit of say, no disqualification which was undoubtedly the deciding factor in my Presidency. Thank god we had you. Ernst: I just came to say HALLO! My goodness it was a long vac but look what we have in store this term. Thanks for putting up with my music - I know I wasnt always the best company. Remember, its all in the name. Good luck. John Lee: My Hertford baby. Im sorry for snatching you in first week, but what a meteoric rise you have had - keep it up. Great membership drive, even if delegation wasnt my strongest point - guilty Kingston: for explaining that the Union wasnt OUSU. Cullen, Langman and Ash: for showing me the ropes and pointing me in the right direction. Ball Committee: An incredible experience and the biggest learning curve of my life. Ash T: Who knew Pret sushi could cause so much controversy? Behind that smile is some sinister stuff! Kabir & Lewy: Thanks for getting involved - crucial parts of the team - Im sorry it didnt work out. Seb: for giving me the benefit of the doubt. Sameer & Barney: for sticking it out. Dom K, Dom P, Haydon, Liv, Sean, Tom, and Anya for giving it a go. Maryam, Lucy & Mel: thanks for adding some girl power! Joey: you knew more than you should but I loved your company nonetheless. Dont be too harsh in your new role. Papa Curey: for introducing me to Camera. My Committee - Team Westbrah: it was a long vac but we pulled through. Hope I wasnt too irritating. Luke: as level-headed as they come, Im glad I found another Belieber. Pringle: Good luck tackling the rules! Maria & James: we really were the Dream Team. Hearts and kisses. JP: For a shoulder to lean on. Dean: cracking debate in the end - I cant wait! Rajiv & Tristan: great effort boys. Rebecca: by far the most responsive and always a great help. Even upstaged the Hydras chat. Jocelyn: tricky motion, great line-up. Thanks. Olly: for the chocolate. Nina, Maddy, Ali, Laura, Kevin, & Caroline: top stuff - hope you enjoy the term. Eylon: thanks for the tea. Hertford: I know I wasnt around enough - Im sorry. Annie: for listening to my ramblings and giving me some perspective. Geography girls et al.: for going out for the sake of going out and looking after me. Lester: Ill never forget when you told me I would do it. Im sorry it couldnt have worked out another way. Thanks for putting up with me. Tyndall: for trying to retain a shred of the principles Im trying to hang on to. Dont tempt me. Dan P: for understanding why I do what I do. Hamish: for looking out for me. Kearns & Nick: my campaign managers. John & Geoff: sorry I havent been around at all - crap housemate to say the least, I will do my best to make it better. Ruddle & Phil: thanks for staying friends throughout when I didnt do nearly enough on my part. Hockey Girls & Cricket Boys: For feigning an interest and putting up with the constant excuses. Some of you will be stars. Bursar, Stephen, Robert, Mel, Natacha, SJ, Bridget, Cari, Sue, Pete & Jim: I dont know how you put up with us like you do, but thank god you are there! Martha: congrats - youll be superb. Hope we can work together more in the future. Groetjes. x

Presidents Thanks

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