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Jack Peters (HSPS) has been named as President-elect of the Cambridge Union, becoming the first Gonville & 91ֱ�� College student to hold the role in over 40 years.

Jack, who is also the Cambridge University Liberal Association Chair, was elected as President for Easter Term 2026, coinciding with his finals exams. It was his second and final attempt to run for the role, after being narrowly beaten in the elections for Lent Term 2026.

The first Caian to hold the role since Clive Blackwood (Law 1982) in 1985, Jack is determined to uphold the Union’s core principles, with his primary role executive responsibility for the world-renowned institution, including its term card of events.

“I’m truly honoured to have been elected President of the Cambridge Union with such a strong mandate from members,” Jack says. 

“I’m humbled by the trust placed in me and excited to get to work.

“The Union’s free speech mission, our broad purpose as the world’s oldest debating and free speech society, to encourage discourse which is civil, where disagreement is dealt with through words, not violence, is particularly integral. Especially at an academic institution, but in the world today when we look at clampdowns on free speech, the state of our democracy and our inability to talk to people, a place like the Union where our first and foremost value is that is particularly important.”

Speakers in recent years include Mike Pence, Peter Thiel, Charlie Kirk, Hassan Piker and Bernie Sanders.

Jack adds: “I would argue that using our free speech platform and giving our member students a voice – not just to ask a question, but to debate – showed the power of what we do. Free speech isn’t about giving someone a microphone, it’s about giving our members a microphone to hold that person to account.”

Jack, who is from near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, will continue as CULA Chair until March, and will balance his presidency with his University of Cambridge final exams.

“PolSoc chairs have often been Union presidents,” he adds. “It requires a level of impartiality. But fundamentally free speech is a liberal value and it’s an extension of my broader liberal principles. Of course I’m going to hear some views I disagree with, but it’s precisely because I am a liberal and believe in free speech so strongly that I believe that people have the right to make their arguments in the chamber.

“I think it will be manageable to balance my finals with the role. I like doing quite a lot and have done throughout my degree.”

Photo: Jack Peters speaking in Cambridge Union (Florence Tawns/Cambridge Union)