Sir Roger Moore to speak at Oxford Union on Thursday

Event: Sir Roger Moore address
Location: Oxford Union, Frewin Court, Oxford, UK
Date: 22nd Apr 2010
Time: 7:30pm

Sir Roger Moore, KBE, is arguably one of Britain's most recognised actors. Perhaps best known for his role as James Bond in seven films, in his twelve years as Bond he has served longer than any other actor in the role. In his post-acting career, he has become a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador (1991) and an animal rights campaigner, working for PETA.

Sir Roger was last in the city for a book signing in October 2008, when he said he enjoyed visiting the city.

Union president Laura Winwood said: “For the past few weeks, we have worked tirelessly to put together an inspiring, thought-provoking and fun programme at the Oxford Union.

“I would like to think we’ve succeeded since our members can look forward to a diverse set of debates, speakers and socials.

“I’m immensely excited about the coming term. The Oxford Union is an incredible society and I’m extremely honoured to be able to lead it this Trinity (term).”

Also this term, former F1 boss Max Mosley will take on one of the journalists who exposed the MPs’ expenses scandal in a debate over privacy at the Oxford Union later this term. Mr Mosley, who famously took on tabloid newspaper News of the World for claims over his private life, will face journalist Heather Brooke in June to battle it out on ‘This House Believes that a Public Person has No Right to a Private Life’ - reports the Oxford Times.

The pair are just two in a long list of big names who have been invited to the chambers by the Oxford University Debating Society.

Model Caprice and former Prime Minister Sir John Major are also scheduled to speak in the debating chamber, which has in the past welcomed the likes of Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson.

Oxford Union spokesman Marta Szczerba said the society was also particularly looking forward to welcoming Oxford East election candidates0 from the three main parties – Labour’s Andrew Smith, Conservative Ed Argar, and Liberal Democrat Steve Goddard – for a debate, the first of its kind in the society’s history, next Monday.

The society is holding seven debates on proposals as varied as ‘This House Believes Englishmen are Funnier than Americans’ to ‘This House Believes that the Gay Rights Movement has undermined family values’.

Ms Szczerba said: “There really will be something for everyone.”

She added: “With regards to Max Mosley and Heather Brooke, I think the debate will be incredibly interesting, especially as Mosley has an upcoming legal case being brought to the European Court of Human Rights.

“However, I don’t think the debate should trigger any protests. We welcome a whole range of views and we believe our members are able to make up their minds about each speaker.”

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