Debate

 

The most important feature of our debates is what we debate. As a society built with our members at the centre, they are the ones to submit topics for debating and they are then chosen by which every speaker is moderating the debate session.

Members can submit topics through the society's discord or through a New Members Form which they can find through the discord or by contacting one of our committee members.

All members are free to submit topics on whatever they wish, and most of the topics put forward are protected by free speech laws which means that sometimes we may have to debate topics that are controversial or likely to cause emotionality. We are in the process of creating a free speech policy that will outline what debates we can, or cannot do, as well as approaches we can take to balance the right of expression with equality and wellbeing.

When it comes to picking motions, the Speaker of the debate is the only one that can choose debates (no other committee member or normal member can have a say due to free speech law and the constitution). When choosing motions, the Speaker has a few criteria under RODA that must be followed including:

  • That the chosen debates have not been debated in the last two months
  • That the debates are diverse in politics
  • That the topics are from different submitters, if possible
  • That once the topics have been chosen and debated, that they are then deleted from the submission channels

To find the timetable of when we will do debates, please click here. This will be updated with any changes.

Debates will normally be organised a week before the event, including picking the motions. This allows you to make time so you can attend whilst also doing some research on the topics, though you don't need to. 

When we have a debate, you will normally see two people at the front of the room (or if it's online, you'll notice two people will have priority speaking access). In most cases, the first person will be the President Speaker who chairs the debates, moves everything along and enforces the rules. The second person, normally the Vice President Speaker, will be sat to the side of the PS, and their job is to write summary notes of the debates and act as an advisor to the PS. When the Vice President Speaker is chairing the debate then it will normally just be themselves. 

When a motion has been debated, the members who attended will be able to vote on the topic. Most of the time, votes include three choices on a question put to you by the chairing Speaker:

  1. Yes or Agree: This is when you agree to the motion 
  2. No or Disagree: This is when you disagree with the motion
  3. Abstain or No Vote: This can be made for several reasons but is normally done when you cannot agree or disagree with a motion topic.

To ensure debates are carried out in a calm and effective manner, and not descend into an argument or chaos, the society can put in place temporary or permanent rules into place.

Temporary Rules
Temporary rules can be put in place by the chairing speaker for either the whole debate event or a specific topic in the event. The purpose for these allow for when controversial topics are being discussed and so some restrictions need to be put in place to balance speech and wellbeing. 

Temporary rules, however, can only last for one debate event, and if they repeat three times then they must be proposed as a permanent rule. Additionally, temporary rules must be in line with freedom of speech laws and not restrict topics, whilst also the rule must be for a good reason.

Permanent Rules
Permanent rules can be introduced by any of the Speakers, however, they must be approved by members by a simple present majority. These rules, once agreed, then apply to all debates including online chat debates. 

Permanent rules must also be in line with free speech laws, and cannot restrict topics or members from the Debate Society. 

Current Permenant Rules

  1. Ad Hominem: No member is allowed to attach the character of another member
  2. Emotional Debates: Members must refrain from becoming too emotional during debates, and if they feel they are, may request to adjourn the debate for a short while
  3. Respect: All members must show a high level of respect to each other and allow the free flow of ideas and debate without interrupting each other.
  4. Debate Motions: The Chairing Speaker must choose and release motions 72 hours before a debate takes place