Cherwell can exclusively reveal that comedian Romesh Ranganathan, actor Brian Cox, former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and governor of Florida Ron De Santis are all set to speak at the Oxford Union this coming term. Debates this term will be on topics ranging from cancel culture, to Taiwan’s potential unification with China, as well as US and Russian foreign policy. Cherwell can also disclose that President of Argentina Javier Milei, is in talks to appear at the Union this term.
The Union is also set to host a number of other high-profile political figures, including President Debono of Malta, former President of Ecuador Guillermo Lasso, and Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi. This term will also see the visit of ‘Unwritten’ singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield.
Ron DeSantis is an American politician currently serving as the governor of Florida, who unsuccessfully ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. An influential figure within the party, De Santis has regularly spoken out against what he has described as “woke indoctrination,” criticising the teaching of critical race theory in schools. He also signed into law a six-week abortion ban, which makes providing an abortion punishable by up to five years in prison.
Actor Brian Cox is best known for the TV show Succession, for which he has won three Primetime Emmy Awards. Cox is classically trained, and began his career in the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has been active for over 40 years, earning the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002.
Suella Braverman is a Conservative MP, who served as Home Secretary on two separate occasions, first under Liz Truss, before being re-appointed a little under a week later by Rishi Sunak. She ran to be leader of the Conservative Party in 2022, and is known for her Eurosceptic and anti-immigration views. Braverman has faced several controversies, including saying that a plane taking asylum seekers to Rwanda was her “dream” and “obsession” and that the flying of a rainbow flag at the Home Office was a sign that the Conservatives had failed to “stop the lunatic woke mind virus”.
British actor and comedian Romesh Ranganathan has been a regular guest on several TV panel shows, including the likes of A League of Their Own and Have I Got News for You. Known for his self-deprecating comedy, he has performed multiple stand-up tours, the latest of which was released as a Netflix special, and has presented a number of programmes, such as The Weakest Link. More recently, Ranganathan has starred in feature films, making an appearance in Cinderella, and voice acting in Chicken Run and Despicable Me 4.
Debates for this term include the motion ‘This House Would Cancel Cancel Culture’, with conservative political commentator Dave Rubin and LGBTQ+ rights campaigner Peter Tatchell both set to speak. Also speaking, is Naomi Wolf, an American author who has been criticised for posting misinformation on COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Oxford Union will also debate whether ‘There is No Moral Difference between American and Russian Foreign Policy,’ hosting guest speakers Guillermo Lasso, a former President of Ecuador, Nina Krushcheva, granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Krushcheva, and former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.
There will also be a debate on if Taiwan’s future lies in reunification with China. For this topic, guest speakers will include Dr Huiyao Wang, a former counsellor to China’s state council, Nathan Law, an exiled Hong Kong democracy activist, and Zhou Fengsuo, a student leader of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests who remains China’s fifth most wanted democracy advocate.
Other events this term include panels on international law and feminism, whilst in Week Two, the chamber will be the venue for a ‘Town vs Gown’ boxing event.
On the upcoming term, Union president Israr Khan told Cherwell: “At the core of this term card lies a commitment to placing the Union firmly on the global stage. The theme of this term resonates deeply with the world today: global leadership, challenging the liberal world order, and key debates on the Global South.
“We exist to challenge, provoke, and inspire action. And so, I invite you to be a part of this legacy. Don’t just watch from the sidelines – challenge our speakers, ask points of information. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest thanks to all those who have worked with me this quarter, and more broadly for the Oxford Union.”
