Oundle debates at Oxford
The ICYD - the The International Competition for Young Debaters - organised and run by the Oxford University Union Society, is the world’s largest and doubtless most competitive British Parliamentary debating event for young debaters aged under 15.
Oundle School’s A team, consisting of Alastair Russell (Ldr) and Olivia Kirkbride (Sn), had distinguished itself in the Regional Round playoffs held in January at the Cambridge Union Society, finishing in 5th place in the Eastern region which qualified them for a well-earned place in the finals at Oxford.
Of the 278 teams originally entered, the finals saw the top 64 competing for the title at the end of April, debating provocative motions (with a mere 15 minutes’ preparation time) relating to negotiating with terrorists, banning manned space exploration, the funding of elite athletes and compulsory ‘fat camps’ for clinically obese children.
Though their performance was not quite strong enough to gain them a place in the Grand Final, Olivia and Alastair both displayed impressive mental dexterity and significant talent with their rhetorical skills, finishing in the middle of the final field. By any reckoning their first foray into the world of competitive parliamentary debating augurs well for their future successes on the chamber floor.
Tim Watson