27/11/2008
Students from six of Scotland’s universities and a team of Scots studying at Oxford University will battle it out at Holyrood today to win the coveted St Andrew’s Day debating prize.
The teams will participate in heats throughout the day at the Scottish Parliament with the four top teams competing in the Debating Chamber from 7pm to 8.15pm for the final.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP said: “This year’s St Andrew’s day celebrations are particularly special, as we approach 2009 – a year of homecoming and a year when the Parliament marks its own decade of devolution. I look forward to welcoming these young debaters to Holyrood and can think of no better place than Scotland’s own parliamentary chamber to showcase their talents.”
As with all debating competitions, the motions for debate are confidential, with the debaters being informed of them just before the competition starts. Members of the public are invited to watch the competition from the public gallery of the Debating Chamber or online at holyrood.tv.
The event is hosted by the Scottish Parliament, in partnership with the Scottish Government, and will be chaired by the Presiding Officer. The hour-long debate between the four teams will be followed by 15 minutes of open discussion from the floor of the Chamber allowing as many attendees as possible to participate.
The panel of judges are: John Duncan, director of the English Speaking Union in Scotland (Chair); Trish Godman MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer; Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice; Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland's political editor; and Kenny Fleming, 2005 Scottish Debating Champion.
The participating Scottish universities are Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and Strathclyde.
Following the debate there will be a reception in the Garden Lobby during which the prize giving will take place. Prizes will be presented by Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill MSP for:
- Winner of St Andrew’s Day Debating Championship 2008
- Runner-up St Andrew’s Day Debating Championship 2008
- Best Contribution from the Floor