St Edmund's

Inter-House Debating Heats Up

On Tuesday evening, Houses met to determine which two teams should progress to the final of the St Edmund’s Inter-House Debating Competition.

In the first rhetorical clash, Wagner (arguing for the proposition) and Baker debated the proposition ‘This House believes that Government should prioritise data privacy over technological innovation.’ Following clearly defined positions, expressed by first speakers Olivia (WGR) and John , and developments through the second speakers – Alexander  (BKR) and Charlie  – and their rebuttals, concrete examples and logical exposition, summarisers Felix (BKR) and Joseph  stood to address questions from the floor before reviewing their team’s respective positions, stating their cases with passion and conviction.

In the second event of the evening, Watson (arguing for the proposition) and Warneford debated the proposition ‘This House believes that Government should prioritise funding for deep-sea exploration over space exploration.’ Jay  (WTN) and Elizabeth  proposed, defined and presented the arguments that were then taken up and unfolded by Finley  (WTN) and Lottie, following their rebuttals. Peter  (WFD) and Daniel closed by responding to questions from the floor that touched on the dangers and morality of exploration and restating vigorously and forcefully the positions. Debates were lively, well-researched and very, very thought-provoking.

All are to be commended for their verbal fervour, Wagner and Warneford for progressing to the final and Alexander  and Daniel for the standout speeches for the Houses that couldn’t quite talk their way into the final. The final takes place in the Library at 4.30 p.m. on Thursday, 12th February. All are warmly invited and encouraged to atte