Zoom Debating Competition & Certification - Saturday 5th September 2026

We were delighted to begin this Michaelmas term with a hugely impressive debating competition and grading. It was wonderful to bring together such excellent argumentation from so many from different time zones. Well done all!

With a new Prime Minister in the UK we asked each of the group to set out their top priority if they were in charge of their country. Healthcare, education, housing and defence all dominated discussion. In each case, the new speaker had to respond to the points made by the previous debater.

We then split into teams and turned to the motion of the day:

·       ‘This House would fly less in order to help the planet’

The summer of 2026 was the UK’s hottest on record, according to provisional date from the Met Office. Much of Europe has faced drought and extreme conditions. In a study on how this summer was impacted by human-induced climate change, the Met Office says the heat experienced this summer was made 130 times more likely. We therefore asked whether the group would be prepared to fly less to help the planet. Voting on each occasion remained divided, both before and after the debate.

We ended with brief reflections on the importance of historical objects inspired by the new exhibition and installation of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum.The judge was delighted with the tremendous contributions shown from the group, with rhetorical questions, Pathos and other debating skills expertly used.

We are very pleased to report on our members achieving distinctions and merits for their respective grades.

Very well done all!