On regular Thursday evenings the Society has a public debate which is open for everyone to attend. Guests, such as MPs, MEPs, academics and journalists speak on topical motions and the audience has the chance to express their views.
Click on the titles for more information.
Our public debates are sponsored by Allen & Overy - An international law firm with 39 offices in 27 countries.
2011-2012
Public Debates currently planned for Academic Year 2011-2012
August Riots Public Debate – Thursday 6th October 2011
“THB the Government should share the blame for the August riots in English cities”
Proposition: Dr Peter Kerr, Chris Williamson MP
Opposition: Chris James, Andrew Bridgen MP
Prisoners Right to Vote Public Debate – Thursday 20th October 2011
“THB prisoners should have the right to vote”
Proposition: Juliet Lyon, Lorely Burt MP
Opposition: Dr Tim Black, Steve McCabe MP
Capitalism Public Debate (with Broad Left) – Friday 11th November 2011
“THB that this form of capitalism has failed and needs replacing”
Proposition: Dr. David Bailey, Leander Jones
Opposition: Professor Colin Thain, Matt Szeto
UK Economy Public Debate (with POLSOC)- Thursday 17th November 2011
“THB the Government imposed culture of fear damages the economy”
Proposition: Professor Somnath Sen, Rt Hon John Spellar MP
Opposition: Andrew Lilico, Dr Martin Jensen
Israel/Palestine Question Time Debate (with Jsoc and Fop) – Thursday 24th November 2011
“How might Israel and Palestine find a reasonable and sustainable solution? What do you suggest is the solution that is digestible by all?”
+ other questions
Panellists
Palestine – Ben White, Dr Victor Kattan, Jeremy Corbyn MP
Israel – Professor Alan Johnson, David Hirsh, Joseph Moses
Public Sector Strikes Public Debate – Friday 20th January 2012
“THB the public sector strikes on 30th November were justified”
Proposition: Rob Lyons, Susan Connolly
Opposition: Jordan Anderson, James Laurenson
Climate Change Public Debate – with People & Planet Society – Wednesday 1st February 2012
Proposition: Polly Higgins, Christopher Harris
Opposition: Adam Ramsay, Imogen Parkes
National Security Public Debate (with UB Lib Dems) – Thursday 9th February 2012
“THB Trident should be renewed”
Proposition: Mark Garnier, Nadhim Zahawi
Opposition: Kate Hudson, John Hemming
2009-2010
Time: 03 May, 18:30 – 20:30
Location: Arts main lecture theatre
Motion: “THW have an AV voting system for elections in the UK”
Proposition Speakers:
Charlotte Galpin [Chair of Take Back Parliament UoB, PHD student in European Politics]
Cory Hazlehurst [Take Back Parliament UoB]
Opposition Speakers:
Daniel Cowdrill [Volunteer at Mills & Reeves LLP, UoB Law Student, Member of UoB Conservative Future]
Dr Peter Kerr [Senior Lecturer in Politics]
Location: Arts Lecture Theatre One
Motion: “This house believes that the increasing standards of education has led to a decrease in the worth of qualifications”
Proposition Speakers:
Jason Arthur [Participant President for the charity Teach First]
Daniel Harrison [Chair of Birmingham University Labour Students]
Opposition Speakers:
Professor Peter Davies [Professor in Education Policy Research]
Professor Stephen Gorard [Professor in Education Research]
Time:17 March, 18:30 – 20:00
Location: Arts Lecture Room One
Motion: “This house would have an open borders policy for migrants entering the UK”
Proposition Speakers:
Helen Williams [PHD student completing a doctorate in immigration, specialising in UK and German citizenship and naturalisation policy]
Rob Hunter [Vice President for Educational Access, previous Lib Dems Chair for University of Birmingham]
Opposition Speakers:
James Laurenson [Law LLB graduate, Commercial Law postgraduate]
Alp Mehmet [Former Immigration Officer and Ambassador to Iceland; Current Member of the Advisory Council of Migration Watch UK]
Time: 10 March, 18:30 – 20:00
Location: Arts Lecture Room One
Motion: “This house would ban alcohol”
Proposition speaker – Dr Peter Kerr [Senior Birmingham University Lecturer in Political Science]
Opposition speaker – Bryn Gough [Former Debating Society President, Undergraduate in Political Science & International Relations]
Time: 10 February · 18:30 – 20:00
Location: Arts Lecture Room One
Motion: “This house would give fewer prison sentences to convicted criminals.
The Debating Society is pleased to announce the speakers taking part in this debate are as follows:”
Proposition Speakers:
1) Dr Juliet Lyon [Director of the Prison Reform Trust]
2) Professor Anthony Beech [Birmingham University Professor in Criminal Psychology]
Opposition Speakers:
1) Professor Ken Pease [University of Loughborough Professor in Criminal Justice and Media Broadcaster]
2) David Fraser [Author and Crime Studies Expert]
Tuition Fees Debate – 7th October 2010
Proposition: Professor Steven Gorard [Education Lecturer]; James Morris [Conservative MP for Halesowen]
Abolish the Monarchy Debate – 21st October 2010:
Proposition: Graham Smith – [Republic Campaign Officer and Executive Officer.]
Opposition: Dr. Barry Twig [Constitutional Monarchy Association]
Negotiate with the Taliban Debate – 18th November 2010
Proposition: Jonathan Steel [Guardian columnist foreign affairs]; Professor Scott Lucas [Lecturer]
Opposition:Gisela Stuart, Birmingham Edgbaston Labour MP ; Falcon SignalIs [International Relations Graduate]
God Debate – THB that God does exist – 2nd December:
Proposition: Rory Allen from Church Central Christian Society; Speaker from CCCS
Opposition: British Humanist Association Chief Executive Andrew Copson; Winner of the Freshers’ Cup
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