The Cambridge Union Society (CUS) has witnessed an “unprecedented increase in membership”. Figures released on Monday showed that 1,800 new members joined this term, doubling last Michaelmas’s figure.

James Wakeley, Director of Recruitment, stated: “This year, the Union made a concerted effort to reach out to people”. “We held a stand at the Anglia Ruskin University Freshers’ Fair, hosted the 2009 Freshers’ Ball ... and also offered membership discounts to students in receipt of a full government maintenance grant.” The new design of the Term Card (pictured) and its comprehensive content have also unquestionably increased attendance. President Julian Domercq commented that he was “especially pleased” with the turnout for the Ball. “It drew a capacity crowd despite being right in the middle of Freshers’ Week”.

CUS is best known for its world-famous debates and this term has seen a number of fiercely-contested topics. The Feminism and Middle East debates proved especially controversial. Domercq notes that, “a memorable moment was a member standing up and taking Edwina Currie to task for her affair with John Major”. Unforgettably, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard elicited a response he had not bargained for when an Australian student threw a boot at him. The incident made headlines in national Australian newspapers.

The prestige of CUS speakers has always been one of the Society’s key selling points. Host of Mock the Week Dara O’Brien and comedienne Jo Brand drew huge crowds. One first-year admits she joined the Union simply to attend the pre-speech dinner with O’Brien. “I’m a little bit in love with him and it was worth the price,” she said.

CUS does not pay speakers’ fees, stating on its website that “the honour of the invitation is sufficient payment”. The Society does not receive funding from the University, despite the £1,000 per day running cost. Membership subscriptions therefore make up the greatest portion of its income, with students charged £74.50 for annual subscription or £144.50 for life membership.

Jonathan Laurence, Cambridge Union President-Elect is excited by prospects for next term: “Our line-up for Lent is already coming on very well indeed. Topics we’ll debate include press freedom – where a highly controversial newspaper victim will take on a national newspaper editor ... Other individual speakers include two former heads of government and two top comedians. The Michaelmas term has set the bar high indeed but my team have all worked hard to keep up their good work.”