The Cambridge Union has released their termcard for Lent 2014. Speakers to appear at the prestigious debating society include the controversial comedian Russell Brand and the philosopher AC Grayling, whose appearance has been rescheduled from last term. 

Russell Brand attracted controversy this year for his interview with Jeremy Paxman, in which he identified a “disenfranchised, disillusioned, despondent underclass” and encouraged people to abstain from voting. He will appear at the Union on Monday 13th January – an event likely to draw large crowds.

The Universities and Science minister David Willetts is also part of the lineup. He is likely to prove a controversial speaker; in 2011 his participation in a lecture series on 'The Idea of the University' sparked protest. PhD student Owen Holland's University membership was suspended as a result of his role in the protest amidst an outcry from Cambridge Defend Education and others.

The Union is hosting more popular culture personalities than usual this term – the former ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell will be making an appearance in Week Eight and Carl Barât, former frontman of The Libertines will talk to Union members in Week Four. 

However Bussell is the only woman to be scheduled into the program of over ten speakers for the term. Faith Waddell, a second year Trinity student, says she is “disappointed” at this low proportion. “Considering how much feminist activism there is in Cambridge, it’s a shame that the Union line-up doesn’t reflect this more.”

The female presence in the schedule of debates is higher than normal, with only one debate – ‘This House Regrets The Arab Spring’ – featuring no women. The Week Seven Feminism debate has an all-female line-up.

Speaking to Varsity, Union President Imogen Schön said: "I do regret the current lack of female speakers this term and as a result we are continuing to invite high-profile female speakers so that we can hopefully address this imbalance later on in term.

"However, I am very pleased with the diversity of issues being covered this term, with 2 separate debates discussing both Feminism and the boycotting the Sochi Olympics over gay rights, as well as numerous LGBT+ events and the visit of a prominent speaker on Diversity, Clarke Carlisle."