Anoushka Kale, a British Indian student, has been elected president of the historic Cambridge Union Society, one of the world’s oldest debating societies, founded in 1815. The society is renowned for its defense of free speech. Kale won 126 votes in a recent election, running uncontested for the position of president for the Easter 2025 term. She is currently serving as the debate officer of the society and campaigned on a platform of strengthening ties with cultural groups at the university, particularly the India Society.
“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been elected as President of the Cambridge Union Society for Easter 2025 and grateful for the membership’s support,” said Kale after her victory. “During my term, I aim to expand diversity and accessibility at the Union by collaborating more with cultural groups like the India Society. I’m also passionate about continuing to host international speakers and global debate motions, as I did as Debates Officer,” she added.
The Cambridge Union Society has a distinguished history, with former presidents and officers including renowned economist and philosopher John Maynard Keynes, novelist Robert Harris, and in recent years, British Indian peer and Cobra Beer founder Karan Bilimoria. Like its counterpart at Oxford University, the Cambridge Union has hosted notable figures from all walks of life, including US Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, UK Prime Ministers Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, and John Major, as well as Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates, and the Dalai Lama.
Kale, a 20-year-old English Literature student at Sidney Sussex College, is one of the few South Asian heritage women to hold this prestigious role. “I’m looking forward to fulfilling my manifesto promises, especially expanding diversity through collaborations and offering reduced access tickets for the summer garden party,” she said. Her election comes after the Cambridge Union’s decision to increase prices due to financial pressures and the rising maintenance costs of its Grade-II listed heritage building.
