About York Union
The York Union hosts engaging talks, interviews and debates that contribute to the intellectual life of the University of York and the surrounding area. Distinguished guests have included Alastair Campbell, Lord Robert Winston Shami Chakrabarti, Trevor Phillips and Jon Snow. We invite the best and most influential speakers to the north of England, competing with events typically held by the ‘golden triangle’ institutions.
We operate on a different basis to similar organisations at other universities as we believe debate should be open to all, not just to those who can afford a costly membership. As our Patron Martin Vander Weyer says, “lively public debate and discussion is essential to civilised society — and done well it is also great entertainment. The York Union does it very well indeed.”
Meeting Times