TBSHS Debaters Bounce Back In Style

After narrowly missing out in the Stortford public speaking competitions, TBSHS speakers turned their attention to the English Speaking Union Mace, the oldest and most prestigious national debating event in the country. We hosted a first-round heat, welcoming teams from two independent schools from St Albans. Less than three weeks before the event, another school had to withdraw, so we fielded a ‘swing’ team, as well as our official team.

This swing team, comprising three Year 12 students all making their interschool debuts, opened the first of the night’s two debates, proposing that “This House Would impose a tourism tax in major cities facing overtourism” against St Albans School. In a well-ordered speech, Harrison pointed out that high visitor numbers can strain local resources and infrastructure, impacting the quality of life for residents and argued that this could be mitigated by using the funds raised by a tourist tax to improve infrastructure and help to maintain facilities to the benefit of residents and tourists. Jack, a last-minute substitute for an unwell student, countered several Opposition points effectively and suggested that, in imposing a tourist tax, UK cities would be both following a trend set by others in Europe and treating their own citizens more fairly. The team’s case was very well summarised by Matthew, who spoke with great confidence. In response to his opponents claims that tourist taxes would deter too many tourists, he argued that the funds raised would be used to improve tourist experiences as well as controlling their numbers.

Harrison, Jack & Matthew 

TBSHS speakers also had to propose the second motion “This House Would ban short-haul domestic flights where transport alternatives exist”, this time against St Albans High School for Girls. Robert gave a most impressive opening speech, making little references to his notes, and engaging very well with the audience as he laid out very clear conditions for such a ban. He described climate change as the greatest threat to the existence of the human race and whilst accepting that the proposed ban, would not prevent global warming on its own, pointed out the reduction in aircraft emissions in France when a similar measure was introduced. After refuting a couple of Opposition points, Evie supplemented Robert’s practical case for the motion with a moral justification of the ban. She advocated a social connection model of responsibility, in which people t not because they are individually to blame, but because they are all connected to the structures that cause harm. Quoting the statistic that 90% of UK short-haul flights are taken by just 2% of the population, she argued that the convenience of a few should not outweigh the environmental cost to everyone else. This was a measured, well-argued speech, delivered with calm authority. Emaelia rounded off the evening’s debating with a full-blooded summary speech. She attacked the inconsistencies in her opponents’ case and answered questions posed by the audience, reminding them that several examples of long journeys by alternative means fell outside the conditions defined in the opening speech. Emaelia went on to reiterate the importance of combatting climate change and argued that the proposed ban would serve to kickstart other measures, as well as improving transport alternatives to short-haul flights.

Robert, Evie & Emaelia 

After a short break, the ESU judges declared that the two teams from the second debate would proceed to the next round. It was clear from the very positive feedback that our team received afterwards that they were regarded as the best team of the evening, with particular praise being given for the clarity and structure of their arguments, the high standards of presentation of speeches and the excellent teamwork that they displayed.

Their coach, retired teacher Tony Fraser commented “This was a very pleasing performance from the team, who had worked hard to prepare an excellent case. Thanks are also due to the members of the swing team, who made promising interschool debuts at comparatively short notice. Our visitors were very impressed by the number of Sixth Formers who gave up their time to support the team, some of them coming straight on from a full day’s rehearsal for the school production”.