Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate
China Debate Education Network:
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 Motion
Against
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, 1st Government 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”
NO POI --- 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 termsInterpreting 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 1st Government 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 the proposition
--- 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 the opposition
--- 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