The York Union - previously known as the York Dialectic Union - is the University of York’s union debating society. Originally founded in 2013, the Union is affiliated with the University of York Students' Union and membership is limited to students at the University. It hosts distinguished speakers and debates on a regular basis as well as social events and formal dinners for its members.
History The original York Union arose from a branch of Nouse Events (founded 2012), affiliated to the University’s student paper Nouse. At this time, debates and addresses were not attended by a wide range of students, and thus a separate organisation was created with a purpose of publicising and hosting these events. This ultimately led to the founding of an independent society in the traditions of similar institutions at other universities, the York Union, in 2013. The Union’s original founders were students Adam Seldon and Harry Lambert.
The Union was negatively affected by COVID-19. Due to safety restrictions, attendance and popularity decreased, with events ending in 2022. Following the end of the pandemic, the union was reaffiliated with YUSU before the start of Autumn Term in 2023. From this point onwards, the society has been known as the York Dialectic Union. The York Dialectic Union was founded with a distinct ethos of accessibility and anti-elitism, hence why their debates are not subject to formal dress requirements.
Speakers since 2023 included former drug kingpin Shaun Atwood, ex-jihadist Manwar Ali, SDP leader William Clouston, Labour Party MP Rachel Maskell and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn took part in a debate on the introduction of a wealth tax hosted in the university's Piazza Building, with spaces for non-members selling out within days.
2024 began with an address by Darren Hughes, Managing Director of the Electoral Reform Society. Other events featured the then-Deputy Leader of Reform UK Ben Habib and Nick Newman, former head of Homeland Security Consulting. The Union hosted Thomas Harrison, Keeper of Greece and Rome at the British Museum as well as a debate on the controversies surrounding Just Stop Oil.
April 2024 saw debates on sentences for disruptive activists (featuring Hunted’s Peter Bleksley) and on Western funding for Ukraine (featuring Peter Hitchens), and the efficacy of faculty strikes. Speaker addresses included entrepreneur Liz Earle, former ambassador to Iran Nicholas Hopton, ex-Green Party Leader Baroness Natalie Bennetthttps://www.instagram.com/p/DAnsXMLsggo/?hl=en-gb&img_index=1 and author Clare Mulley.
In August 2026, Union members voted unanimously to rename the society the "York Union" once more.
See also Cambridge Union Oxford Union Durham Union Parliamentary style debate
References
External links Official website