The Cambridge Union

The Cambridge Union Defending free debate since 1815: www.cus.org

For membership enquiries: [email protected] But there's more. Open most days until after midnight.

Debates
Hosting world famous weekly debates, we have debating some of the most pressing issues of our long history, discussed by some of the most influential people in the world, and some of the best student speakers in the world, alike. Speakers
In the past few years alone Union members have met Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, the legendary actors Sir Ian McKellen and Bill Nighy, comedians Dara

O'Briain and Russell Brand, and the controversial scientist and author Professor Richard Dawkins. Charitable Work
Not only does the Union provide a service to students in Cambridge, it also has multiple programmes for disadvantaged children across the UK. Through teaching public speaking and debate, the Union’s charitable aim is to promote opportunity through education - and we have ambitious plans to expand our charitable work in the future. Social Entertainment
Throughout the year we run some of the best social events in Cambridge. Our Valentines Ball is hugely popular, and we kick off May Week with the most extravagant Garden Party around. With pilates to pub quizzes, Comedy Smokers to Casino & Cocktails nights, we have something for everyone. There's something on almost every night of the week - Union membership ensures you a packed social calendar. The Orator Bar and Restaurant
Our bar is the only one to cater to the whole university, making it the perfect place to chill with friends, particularly from other colleges. Complete with plasma screens and comfy sofas, plus nightly entertainment and drinks deals. Our café is the perfect place to work or play, offering cheap, fairtrade coffee and food throughout the day in a newly-refurbished, friendly and comfortable setting. Library
Our beautiful and historic library is a great place to study and read away from college, with free Wi-Fi, newspapers, and the largest selection of borrowable fiction books outside of the University Library. Competitive Debating
Our competitive debating teams regularly compete on an international level, and in the past two years have won more competitions than any other university in Britain or Ireland. We run workshops for those interested in improving their skills, as well as for complete beginners, giving our members the chance to learn from highly experienced debaters and compete in national competitions themselves.

Notice of PollThe Union announces the results of our recent elections for Lent Term 2027 Elected Positions. Thank you to...
18/06/2026

Notice of Poll

The Union announces the results of our recent elections for Lent Term 2027 Elected Positions. Thank you to our Returning Officers for their excellent service. The Returning Officers' inbox, [email protected], remains open for any remaining questions or concerns.

Join us on Friday 19th June at 4:30pm as we host Baiba Bražes in the Library.Baiba Braže currently serves as Minister of...
17/06/2026

Join us on Friday 19th June at 4:30pm as we host Baiba Bražes in the Library.

Baiba Braže currently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.
From 2020 to 2023, B. Braže held the post of Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy. Within her remit, she devised and oversaw strategic communications activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands.
From 2016 to 2020, she was posted as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. From 2003 to 2008, B. Braže served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands while also representing Latvia in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The Cambridge Union Society presents the following candidates for election for Lent Term 2027:President:Freddie BishopTe...
16/06/2026

The Cambridge Union Society presents the following candidates for election for Lent Term 2027:

President:
Freddie Bishop
Ted Yip

Executive Officer:
Jake Hopkins

Speakers Officer:
Carter Kennedy
Ethan Lee

Social Events Officer:
Giancarlo Mempouo

Voting will be taking place in person in the Union - please bring your membership card to vote, whether physical or digital.

Tuesday 16th June
Wednesday 17th June

Join us at the Union on Thursday 18th June for the Presidential Debate on the motion: “This House Believes Margaret That...
14/06/2026

Join us at the Union on Thursday 18th June for the Presidential Debate on the motion: “This House Believes Margaret Thatcher Liberated the Proletariat.” To speak in the main debate, please complete the audition form before 2pm tomorrow!

Proposition:

Jack Peters

Jack Peters is the outgoing President of the Cambridge Union. In his spare time, he studies Human, Social and Political Sciences at Gonville and Caius College. A recovering Liberal Democrat, he formerly chaired the University’s Liberal Association.

Daniel Hannan

Daniel Hannan, Lord Hannan of Kingsclere, is Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, the oldest free-market think-tank in the world. He is a newspaper columnist and the author of nine books, including the Sunday Times bestseller, How We Invented Freedom.

Opposition:

Peter Hitchens

Peter Hitchens is a journalist, author and broadcaster. He is now a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and an occasional writer for the Daily Mail, as well as a contributor to several other publications in Britain and the USA. He has been a journalist for more than half a century.

Mark Drakeford

Mark Drakeford served as the First Minister of Wales from 2018-2024. Between 2000 and 2010 Mark worked as health and social policy adviser at the Welsh Government, and was latterly head of the First Minister’s political office under Rhodri Morgan. Mark is currently Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.

Maurice Glasman

Maurice Glasman, Baron Glasman is an English political theorist, academic, social commentator, and Labour life peer in the House of Lords. He is best known as the leader of the socially conservative socialist movement Blue Labour, which he founded in 2009.

At 6pm Tuesday 16th June, the Union will be hosting The Right Honourable Lord David Neuberger of Abbotsbury in the Libra...
13/06/2026

At 6pm Tuesday 16th June, the Union will be hosting The Right Honourable Lord David Neuberger of Abbotsbury in the Library. Lord David served as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom from 2012 to 2017, and was the second person to hold that office since 2009. Since beginning his career Lord Neuberger managed to have one of the quickest rises from the Court of Appeal to the House of Lords, with Lord Neuberger being at the time of his appointment in 1960, the youngest sitting Law Lord. Since then he has led an investigation for the Bar Council into widening access to the Bar, he was Treasurer of Lincoln’s Inn in 2017, he is an honorary Fellow of the Royal Society, he is President of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law and President of the Academy of Experts, since 2018 he has served as a judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court, and He now serves as a Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.

13/06/2026
Join as the Union on Thursday 18th June for the Presidential Debate, deliberating on the motion: ‘This house believes Th...
13/06/2026

Join as the Union on Thursday 18th June for the Presidential Debate, deliberating on the motion: ‘This house believes Thatcher liberated the At 6pm Tuesday 16th June, the Union will be hosting The Right Honourable Lord David Neuberger of Abbotsbury in the Library. Lord David served as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom from 2012 to 2017, and was the second person to hold that office since 2009. Since beginning his career Lord
Proposition:

Jack Peters is the outgoing President of the Cambridge Union. In his spare time, he studies Human, Social and Political Sciences at Gonville and Caius College. A recovering Liberal Democrat, he formerly chaired the University’s Liberal Association, and is widely rumoured to be on a similar career trajectory to Liz Truss, an allegation he has refused to comment on.

Daniel Hannan, Lord Hannan of Kingsclere, is Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, the oldest free-market think-tank in the world. He is a newspaper columnist and the author of nine books, including the Sunday Times bestseller, How We Invented Freedom.

Opposition:

Peter Hitchens is a journalist, author and broadcaster, now a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and occasional writer for the Daily Mail, as well as a contributor to several other publications in Britain and the USA. He has been a journalist for more than half a century.

Mark Drakeford served as the First Minister of Wales from 2018-2024. Between 2000 and 2010 Mark worked as health and social policy adviser at the Welsh Government, and was latterly head of the First Minister’s political office under Rhodri Morgan. Mark is currently Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.

Maurice Glasman, Baron Glasman (born 8 March 1961) is an English political theorist, academic, social commentator, and Labour life peer in the House of Lords. He is best known as the leader of the socially conservative socialist movement Blue Labour, which he founded in 2009.

27 April 2026 - It was a pleasure to welcome the Maestro, Ludovico Einaudi for the first speaker's event of Easter term ...
10/06/2026

27 April 2026 - It was a pleasure to welcome the Maestro, Ludovico Einaudi for the first speaker's event of Easter term 2026, which included a Q&A session with our President, Jack, and a live performance.

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Address

9A Bridge Street
Cambridge
CB21UB

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 11pm
Wednesday 9am - 11pm
Thursday 9am - 11pm
Friday 9am - 1am

Telephone

+441223417144

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