Cherwell has gained exclusive access to the Oxford Union’s Hilary term card. The line-up of speakers set to address the Union includes British political strategist Dominic Cummings, rapper Lil Pump, and American internet personality Gabbie Hanna.
Strategist Dominic Cummings served as Chief Adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson from July 2019 to November 2020, when he resigned following an acrimonious split with the prime minister. Cummings is also known for his role as “the mastermind of the Brexit campaign” and for his breach of Britain’s COVID lockdown restrictions during his controversial trip from London to Durham.
Lil Pump is an American rapper whose discography includes “Gucci Gang” and “Harverd Dropout.” He has collaborated with rappers Kanye West and Lil Wayne, and his song “Welcome to the Party” was used in Deadpool 2’s soundtrack. Part of his notoriety comes from his encounters with the law – in 2018 he was arrested for discharging a weapon in an inhabited place and driving without a license, and, following a parole violation, he was forced to serve a short prison sentence.
Gabbie Hanna is founder and host of The Gabbie Show, a YouTube channel that has garnered over 100 million views since it was launched in 2014. She is also a singer-songwriter and a New York Times best-selling author.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is also set to address the Union this term. Other speakers on the Union’s term card include Robert Peston and Kisha Koria – who together will be talking about their new book, Bust?: Saving the Economy, Democracy, and our Sanity – and Molly Bloom, author of Molly’s Game, a memoir later adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film.
This term’s debates will include a debate to mark the second anniversary of the start of the Russia-Ukraine War, an all-women feminist Valentine’s Day debate, a debate titled “This House Does Not Know What Labour Stands For,” and a comedy debate in which YouTube personality Stephen Tries is scheduled to speak. In addition, there will be prizes for debate floor speeches, such as a one-night stay at the Randolph Hotel and a dinner for two at The Alice.
There will also be a special head-to-head discussion on free will. One of the experts debating the issue will be Simon Blackburn, who was previously a fellow at Pembroke College and who authored the book Think.
Social events this term will include a Casino Royale ball sponsored by ATIK Oxford, a Burns Night ceilidh, a Valentine’s Day dinner, and an end-of-term President’s drinks reception.
Discussing the upcoming term at the Union, Oxford Union President Hannah Edwards told Cherwell: “I’m thrilled to present a Hilary 2024 term card with such light and shade in its line-up. One day our members can come and question leading political figures, such as Dominic Cummings, and the very next day they can hear from entertainers such as Lil Pump.
“As ever, debating is very much at the heart of this term card, and with Oxford the current World Champions (as of this week), I hope everyone can get involved in this term’s debates, whether it be a comedy motion or questioning what Labour stands for!”
