The motions to be debated in the first round of the annual Sutton Coldfield Inter- Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition have now been revealed.
Students from secondary schools across Sutton Coldfield are preparing for the competition which will take place on Thursday 28 February, and is hosted by last year’s winners, Arthur Terry School.
The first round motions will be debated with proposing and opposing schools as follows:
John Willmott School vs Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
“This house believes that Scotland is better off being independent from the UK.”
Plantsbrook School vs Bishop Walsh Catholic School
“This house believes that there needs to be more restrictions on guns in America.”
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School vs Birmingham Metropolitan College
“This house believes that statutory health care should only be available for those who make attempts to lead a healthy lifestyle.”
Fairfax School vs The Arthur Terry School
“This house believes that those with short-term success in sport should not automatically qualify for knighthoods.”
The first round will be followed by a second round of debates on unseen motions which teams will have to prepare for against the clock on the night.
The Judging Panel will be Gary Phelps (Chairman), Editor of the Sutton Coldfield Observer and Elizabeth Allison, former Chairman of Sutton Coldfield Civic Society and Ernie Murray, Clerk to the Trustees for Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust.
Andrew Mitchell MP, who will Chair the Debate, now in its eleventh year, said, “With these tough and topical motions, the competition will, yet again, be challenging and interesting for Sutton Coldfield’s talented young debaters.”
“I am very much looking forward to Chairing the debate next week and to hear our local students tackle these controversial issues.”