Debates

The Union has always been famous for its controversial debates. Few other places in the world are able to bring together so many high profile speakers of such diverging views and make them defend what they passionately believe in. Uniquely, the Union opens public figures up to your questions, for which they cannot be prepared. Debates are highly relevant to current issues and often mirror discussion in parliament and the media.

The Union's annual debate 'This House has No Confidence in Her Majesty's Government' is always one of the most provoking. Recent years have seen local MP Ann Campbell challenged for supporting tuition fees despite promising not to, and Ann Widdecombe face-to-face with Labour Education minister Margaret Hodge. There is much press attention for debates, and politicians have both flourished and foundered at the Union.

The Union has debated all sorts of topics: crime, drugs, prostitution, race, law, abortion, gay rights, the media, asylum seekers, Europe, Iraq, pornography and tuition fees have all taken place over the last few years. A debate on racism in British society saw Doreen Lawrence, mother of Stephen, debating against police chief John Grieve, head of the racial crimes taskforce.

Debates on international affairs have often been the most controversial. Following the attendance of the Ambassador of South Africa at a debate in the early 1980s there was a full-scale riot outside the building with bricks being hurled through the windows. Shortly after the events of 11th September, the Chamber saw George Galloway, Yvonne Ridley (the Express journalist captured by the Taliban) and right-wing columnist Bruce Anderson, discuss the bombing of Afghanistan. That term, a debate on the motion 'This house believes the Palestinians want too much and give too little' was so controversial that the President at the time received death threats, policemen stood guard out side the building and Special Branch officers were hidden in the audience. The debate on Northern Ireland saw RUC police chief, Ronnie Flanagan debating in support of the peace process alongside former loyalist terrorist David Ervine - two weeks before the debate he was named in an uncovered IRA hit-list.

Whilst Ken Clarke was Chancellor he debated Britain's entry into the Euro against former Chancellor Norman Lamont. More recently, the leader of the Conservative Party Michael Howard clashed with Labour leftwinger Austin Mitchell over tax and spend. In the mid-1990s a debate on the media and the right to privacy took place with Max Clifford speaking in the same week that he released pictures of Princess Diana exercising in a London gym. Carole Caplin took a night off from Downing St to tell her side of the Cheriegate Affair.

Some debates are more light-hearted and an event last year saw Big Brother contestant Nasty Nick arguing with John Tickle against This Morning psychologist Raj Pesaud.

In the past the Union has debated some of the most important events of the 20th Century. In 1938, the same year that Chamberlain visited the Union, conscription was debated. The motion was passed with an overwhelming majority against conscription, causing much controversy and consternation. This, along with a debate at the Oxford Union which voted against fighting 'for King & country', led the German Ambassador to report the degeneracy of British youth to Hitler. Only Union members have the chance to challenge the most eminent people in public life, to ask the questions they think should be asked or simply to watch history being made.

This term's Debates:

Obama Debate Thu, 14th Jan at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Debating Workshops, '' Tue, 19th Jan at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Cocktail Workshop, '' Wed, 20th Jan at 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Press Freedom Debate, '' Thu, 21st Jan at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Debating Workshops, '' Tue, 26th Jan at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Clive Stafford Smith Tue, 26th Jan at 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Faith Debate, '' Thu, 28th Jan at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Yoga and Pilates Sat, 30th Jan at 11:00am

Debating Workshops, '' Tue, 2nd Feb at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Civil Liberties Debate, '' Thu, 4th Feb at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Debating Workshops, '' Tue, 9th Feb at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Education Debate Thu, 11th Feb at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Debating Workshops, '' Tue, 16th Feb at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Ken Livingstone, '' Wed, 17th Feb at 7:30pm - 8:30pm

File Sharing Debate Thu, 18th Feb at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Debating Workshops, '' Tue, 23rd Feb at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Iain Duncan Smith, '' Thu, 25th Feb at 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Schools Debating Final, '' Thu, 25th Feb at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Jesse Jackson Mon, 1st Mar at 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Debating Workshops, '' Tue, 2nd Mar at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Election Debate, '' Thu, 4th Mar at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Debating Workshops, '' Tue, 9th Mar at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Reality TV Debate Thu, 11th Mar at 7:30pm - 9:30pm