The British Parliamentary
Debate Format
Depending on your experiences, what should be the rules of
a proper debate?
What should/shouldn’t be done?
Team 1 ->
<- Team 3
Team 2 ->
<- Team 4
Only one team wins the debate.
1st half ->
Teams are randomly
assigned before
the motion is announced.
2nd half ->
A motion is a proposal that is
put forward for debate.
The proposition (Government) supports the topic given and
the opposition is against it. The topic will always request
government to argue for a change (argue to change
something that currently exists), while opposition will argue
against the change. This motion will have the word "believe"
in it.
«This house believes that the government should not ban
animal testing.»
Here, the government (proposition) defends a view or belief
while the opposition opposes (is against) it.
You and a partner receive your topic around 10 minutes before
the debate begins. You have 10-15 minutes to prepare your
speeches with your pair. You do not get prepared as a group of 4
debaters, you work just with your pair. This is often very nervewracking. So, it is important to remain cool, calm and collected
during this time in order to put together the best case possible.
You cannot use phones, the internet or smartwatches. You can
have papers and pens only.
POI (Point of Information)
POIs, Points of Information, are questions that anyone on the opposite side of the
debater speaking on the podium can raise to the debater.
If you want to give your POI, you raise your hand as the debater speaks. The
debater might accept your POI and you may ask your question, or s/he
might choose not to hear your question by simply saying ‘Thank you’ and
you lower your hand and the debater moves on.
This form of question cannot last more than 15 seconds. Be careful not to
offer them more than 15 seconds as this is called "barracking" and is
perceived as extremely rude.
In a 7-minute-speech, it’s generally recommended
that the debaters accept at least 2 POI requests
during their speeches and also offer 2 POIs to all
speeches on the side opposite to them.
1st Half
The Prime Minister speaks first. They must define every
important term in the topic. They must define them
carefully. They must define the motion, general arguments,
define the meaning of the resolution, etc.
Next, the Prime Minister will introduce any points they wish
to use to prove the case.
It is significant that the Prime Minister sets a clear and
narrow resolution so that the debate is focused and not too
broad.
The prime minister must mention these points very clearly.
The time limit is generally 7 minutes for each speaker.
The Leader of Opposition should oppose the motion
and the case presented by the Prime Minister.
They must refute the PM’s case. (prove it incorrect)
Be specific.
Criticize the case you’ve just heard.
Oppose.
Why is the motion itself problematic? State your
team’s position and provide reasoning to support it.
As you prepare for this speech, consider that the
motion might possibly do more harm than good,
prevent better alternatives, or result in a destructive
worldview.
The Deputy Prime Minister speaks next.
You must refute every point the member of the
opposition just introduced, rebuild (re-prove) the Prime
Minister's arguments and introduce any additional
points you wish to introduce.
Be specific.
Criticize what you’ve just heard.
Compare it to your team’s position.
At the very least, add depth to the original case and
arguments by providing additional details, examples,
or explanation.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition speaks next.
Defend your partner’s case from the DPM’s
refutation. Reiterate the key elements of your
team’s position.
Address new, relevant material presented by the
Deputy Prime Minister. Illustrate any important
tension(s) between the PM & DPM speeches.
Add something to your team’s case. You can provide
additional examples, explanation, or analysis to
support a previous claim. You can present a new
argument.
2nd Half - The closing sides now debate.
The Member of Government now speaks.
You must present an extension to the debate
that was done by the opening sides. That is to
say, you must open a new side about the issue.
You might choose to present an entirely new
argument, or you might develop an important
argument that the Opening Proposition could
not develop.
Do not state anything that is against the
Opening Proposition.
Explain why what you’re adding is important in
relation to the arguments given by the Prime
Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
Answer the new material presented by the Member of
Government and refute them (prove them incorrect).
Add something new. You might choose to present a
new argument or develop a previous one. (Do not just
repeat it.)
Do not state anything that is against the Opening
Opposition as you support the same opinion.
Explain why what you’re adding is important in relation
to the arguments given by the Leader of the
Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Identify the 2-3 most powerful concepts and
arguments in the debate.
Express why your position defeats the most
important arguments presented by the
Opposition.
Answer the contribution made by the Member
of Opposition.
Avoid making new arguments. You may,
however, add details or examples in support of
previous claims.
Summarize! (Do not just repeat!)
The whip speeches are very important,
you should always be thinking about the case
as a whole.
Identify the 2-3 most relevant concepts in the debate.
The previous debater has just done this. Identify
different concepts. (Do not just repeat the things
mentioned by the Government Whip.) The concepts
you identify should then serve as the main points of
your speech.
Sell your contribution. Explain how your team’s position
relates to other important arguments in the debate.
Avoid making new arguments. You may, however, add
details or examples in support of previous claims.
Whip speeches are like a newspaper report; they lay
out their arguments in a way that makes it look like
your team has won the whole debate.
The chair (judge) moderates the debate.
The judge take notes about the performances of the debaters.
The judge reminds the debaters as they give their speeches that they have ONE minute left.
When the time is over, the judge interrupts and ends the speech.
As each speech is over, the judge invites the following debater to the podium calling them by their role.
«Thank you for your speech Prime Minister. Now we can move on with the speech of the leader of the
opposition. Please come to the podium. Your time starts now.»
The panelists do not interfere during the speeches. They observe and take notes about the performances so
as to decide on the rank together with the judge.
After the conclusion of all speeches, the chair asks all participants to leave the room.
The chair and panelists (other judges) then spend a few minutes deciding on the rank.
Each team is given a ranking (first place, second place, third place, fourth place). Each
speaker is assigned a speaker score on a 0-100 scale.
When the decision is finalized, the judges invite the debaters back into the room.
The decision is announced, and the chair provides some reasoning to support the
rankings.
Always show respect toward the decision and the judging panel.
Which roles do you think are the most and least challenging ones?
Why?