Recent Guests
IMELDA STAUNTON:
The award winning and Oscar nominted actress addressed the Union early in Michaelmas 2007 discussing her career and answering questions late into the night. Absolutely charming she spoke extensively on the vagaries and nature of the job and (of course) all things Harry Potter. Particularly interesting was the revelation that she originally had been offered the role of Mrs Dursley, only to turn it down.
JON SNOW:
Jon Snow, one of Britain's most respected and best loved political journalists, gave the inaugural Mo Mowlam Memorial Lecture at the Union in November. Born in 1947 Mr Snow did not complete his degree at Liverpool University, being rusticated for throwing paint over a statue of Queen Victoria during a student protest. He began his Journalistic career at radio station LBC, moved to ITN, and became the main anchor of Channel 4 News in 1998. Jon is a two-time Presenter of the Year award and has a wonderful collection of colourful ties and socks.
PATRICK STEWART
The star of the hugely successful Star Trex and X-Men series and the acclaimed Shakes-pearen actor took time out from the RSC Production of the Tempest in Newcastle to visit Durham.
He addressed the Union on a Wednesday afternoon discussing his career and answering the many questions from the floor. It was a fascinating occasion and a rare opportunity to meet one of Britain's most respected actors.
SIR IAN BLAIR
Sir Ian Blair, Britain's most senior policeman, addressed the Union early in the Easter Term on the current challenges facing the Metropolitan Police.
He has been on the force for 34 years and has served as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police since February 2005. During his tenure London has had to deal with the 7/7 bombings. His reaction to this event and others, and his general approach to policing the capital, have attracted both praise and criticism. He gave a spirited defense of plans to extend detention without trial to 42 days, although he refused to comment on Boris Johnson, who was elected later that week as Mayor of London.
ANN WIDDECOMBE MP
Ann Widdecombe is the Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald, as well as a successful television presenter and novelist. She has honours degrees in Latin and Politics and Economics, and an MA from Oxford University. In Government Ann has served in government as Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Secretary of State for Health.
Anne Widdecombe has courted controversy with her out spoken views on religion and politics; converting to Catholicism after the introduction of female priests into the Anglican Church. She opposed Michael Howard's Party leadership bid in 1997 saying "there's something of the night about him".
She spoke in her usual candid fashion on her calling to politics, the role of faith in policy making and the changes she has seen in Westminster over several decades.
