Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate

China Debate Education Network: Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate

British Parliamentary Debate Format • I. Motions • II. Procedures • III. Order of Speeches & Speaker Titles • IV. Speaker Roles & Responsibilities • V. Points of Information • VI. How your debate will be evaluated

Motions • -- Motions: For & Against A motion is a statement provided by the Tournament Director that will become the subject of the debate. A motion is sometimes called a debate topic, a resolution, or a proposition. • -- Examples

Examples of Motions • 1. This House believes that College students should have part-time jobs. • 2. The Younger Generation Knows Best. • 3. China should ban tobacco products. • 4. Money is the Most Important Thing in Life. • 5. This House believes thatWomen should earn equal pay for equal work. • 6. It is a Good Thing to Live in a Modern City. • 7. China should institute real estate price tighening in second-tier cities. • 8. Cars do more Harm than Good.

Procedure for Each Debate • Positions of teams are posted on the “draw.” • Motions announcement to all teams • 15-30 minutes preparation • Teams of the same side do not prepare with one another, nor can they consult their teammates or teachers • Debate begins • Timing

Timing • 7 minutes for each speech • Protected Time: First and last minute • A single knock on table or sounding of a bell announces protected time • double knock or bell signals the end of your speech. • Your speeches will be timed by a timekeeper or by the judge

Four Teams • Teams Members: 4 Teams --- 8 Debaters Upper House --- Lower House • Government: • Supporting Motion 2 upper Government Speakers 2 lower Government Speakers • Opposition: • Arguing against Motion 2 upper opposition Speakers 2 lower opposition Speakers • Upper House Government Opposition For MotionAgainst • Lower House

Names of Speakers Upper House (Opening) • Prime Minister • Leader of the Opposition • Deputy Prime Minister • Deputy Leader of the Opposition Lower House (Closing) • Member of Government • Member of Opposition • Government Whip • Opposition Whip • Upper House (Opening) • PM LO • DPM DLO • MG MO • GW OW Lower House (Closing)

Order of Speakers Upper House (Opening) • Prime Minister, 1stGovernment Team • Leader of the Opposition, 1st Opposition Team • Deputy Prime Minister, 1st Government Team • Deputy Leader of the Opposition, 1st Opposition Team Lower House (Closing) • Member of Government, 2nd Government Team • Member of Opposition, 2nd Opposition Team • Government Whip, 2nd Government Team • Opposition Whip, 2nd Opposition Team • Upper House (Opening) • PM LO • DPM DLO • MG MO • GW OW Lower House (Closing)

Points of Information • POI --- Point of Information Who --- a member of an opposing team; What --- comments, statement, question…; How to offer --- by rising and extending hand or by saying “on that point, Sir/Madam” • NOPOI --- protected time (the first and the last minute); • Time --- 15 seconds or less

Speaker Roles and Responsibilities

1st Speaker -- Prime Minister --- Defines and interprets the motion Defining ambiguous terms Interpreting focuses the motion so it is clear and debatable --- Develops a case for the proposition in support of the motion --- Case should consist of one or more arguments supporting the PM’s interpretation of the motion --- Case must be prima facie—strong enough to be accepted on “its first face.” Upper House

2nd Speaker: Leader of Opposition • -- Accepts the definition of the motion • -- Refutes the case of the first Government • -- Construct one or more arguments against the Prime Minister's interpretation of the motion Upper House

3rd Speaker -- Deputy Prime Minister • -- Refutes the case of the first opposition • -- Rebuilds the case of the first Government • -- Adds one or more new arguments to the case of the first Government Upper House

4th Speaker – Deputy Leader of Opposition • -- Continues refutation of case of 1stGovernment with emphasis on any new arguments introduced by the DPM • -- Rebuilds arguments of the 1st opposition. • -- Adds new arguments to the case of the 1st opposition. Upper House

5th Speaker – Member of Government • --Defends the general direction and case of the 1st Government • -- Continues refutation of 1st opposition arguments • -- Develops a new argument that is different from but consitent with the case of the 1st Government (frequently called an extension) Lower House

6th Speaker – Member of Opposition • -- Very briefly defends the general direction taken by the 1st opposition • -- Very briefly continues general refutation of 1st proposition case • -- Provides more specific refutation of the MG extension. • -- Develops an opposition extension. Lower House

7th Speaker – Government Whip • --- Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of theproposition • --- Defends the general view point of both proposition teams with a special eye toward the case of the 2nd proposition. • --- Does not provide new arguments. Lower House

8th Speaker – Opposition Whip • --- Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of theopposition • --- Defends the general view point of both opposition teams with a special eye toward the argument of the MO. • --- Does not provide new arguments. Lower House

How You Will Be Evaluated and Adjudicated • In general, you will be evaluated on the strength of your arguments. • Although your speaking ability influences how adjudicators respond to your arguments, they still will focus on the • Usually a panel of adjudicators although sometimes a single one • An odd number of panel, usually 3 members • One Chairperson/Speaker (designated by the organizers) --- This person will introduce and manage the debate --- This person also announce the result & comment on the whole debate

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Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate