The Cambridge Union released its term card today (13/01), revealing the speakers and debates that it will host in Lent term. The range of speakers includes reality stars Katie Price and Ekin-Su, musicians Russ and Zara Larsson, and the Palestinian Ambassador.

Other speakers appearing include Bradley Wiggins, Jeremy Vine and renowned art forger Max Brandrett. Former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow and Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis are among many politicians set to speak at the society this Lent.

President Christopher George commented: “The goal of this term is to bring in speakers that offer different perspectives and host debates that bring in new ideas”, and said that the team had worked hard to ensure that the term ahead brings “something for everyone”.

The invitation of the Palestinian ambassador comes after criticism of the Union in previous terms. When controversial Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely was invited to speak in Lent term last year, activists protested the event in large numbers, claiming that the invitation “legitimised a system of apartheid”.

This term the chamber will hear debates on topics such as assisted dying, Scottish independence, and trade unionism, as well as the motions “This House regrets the Arab spring” and “The NHS cannot meet the needs of the people”.

In their press release, The Cambridge Union noted that women will make up the majority of guest speakers in debates this term, calling it “a very rare occurrence” — in the Union’s Lent 2022 term card, 70% of guest speakers were white men.

This term, the union says, there has been an emphasis on “bringing in female activists from across the world” highlighting the invitations of Fawzia Koofi, Shiva Mahbobi and Waab Al Kateab. Fawzia Koofi is a former Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Afghanistan’s first-ever female Deputy Speaker, Waab Al Kateab is a Syrian journalist and Shiva Mahbobi is an activist and former political prisoner.

Other women invited to speak this term include businesswoman Jo Malone; Extinction Rebellion co-founder Gail Bradbrook; and Soma Sara, founder of Everyone’s Invited.

“A dedication to accessibility has underpinned all of the Union’s endeavours” the Union claims, and it will be holding an open period where non-members can attend events for free, 16-25 January. Life membership of the society costs up to £230 for students — president Christopher George says that the Union has “work to do to make sure everyone that wants to take part can take part — but we have made important first steps and will continue to look at ways to ease the cost of membership.”