The King’s Union is set to use the College Chapel on the Strand campus for weekly debates involving high-profile speakers, including senior members of Parliament, from September 2026.
According to the society’s planned term card, seen by Roar, forthcoming debates are intended to include members of Parliament, journalists and members of national think tanks, amongst others.
What is the King’s Union?
The King’s Union is a “free speech” debating society and newly-ratified student group. Describing itself as adhering to “the principles of freedom of speech and expression, as well as mutual respect in debate”, the society held weekly debates last year on a variety of subjects, including the American intervention in Venezuela, a Left vs Right debate and a debate over whether Britain should rejoin the European Union.
The society traces its roots back to 1878, when the King’s College Union Society was initially established. Until its dissolution in 1882, the society existed to “hold debates” with both students and faculty on “literary, political, and historical subjects”. Restored in November 2025, the society now aims to continue its weekly schedule while hosting multiple visiting speakers to debate their motions.
Having been granted exclusive access to the King’s Union’s planned term card, Roar can further reveal that the society is planning to host multiple members of Parliament at their debates, including senior figures from national political parties, as well as experts from leading think-tanks and journalists. The society closely guards the identities of their visiting speakers, but is expected to publish their full autumn term card sometime in the next month. Roar understands that the debates are set to mostly be held on Tuesday evenings.
A spokesperson for the King’s Union said:
“We are delighted and grateful to confirm that the College Chapel will host Union debates next term, in which students will have the rare opportunity to debate members of Parliament. As one of London’s most historic spaces, the Chapel is a fitting venue for the crucial discourse that the Union was founded to protect. More information on our term card can be expected in the coming weeks.”
The College Chapel itself is a Grade I listed building initially constructed in 1831. It was later redesigned in 1864 by Victorian architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in a Renaissance Revival architectural style. Located in the King’s Building, the Chapel has also recently become the temporary site of the world-famous choir the BBC Singers.
“Union debates are the highlight of my week. On top of all of the amazing speakers on offer, I think the whole community is one of the most inclusive in the whole of King’s. It’s also great for any fresher who wants to get involved in an ever-changing political landscape.”
A King’s Union regular attendee, Second Year
A spokesperson for King’s College London said:
“King’s Union have a long tradition of hosting debates across campus, and this year there is a decision in principle for some of these events to be hosted in the Strand Chapel during the Autumn term. Details are yet to be finalised, and all booking requests will be subject to chapel availability and determined on a case-by-case basis by the College Chaplain.”
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