"This House Believes that … Power Always Corrupts"

On Thursday 17th November 2007 St. Mary’s enjoyed her 3rd annual Guest Debate. We were very fortunate to have some very well known guests speaking in the debate both for and against the motion, as well as members of our own sixth form and staff. Poppy, chairwoman and member of the LVI Form, oversaw the debate along with her committee and a few staff behind the scenes.

Emily, member of the LVI Form and deputy chairwomen of last year’s debating committee, courageously stepping in at the last moment due to a cancellation, opened the debate as first speaker of the proposition with clarity, intelligence and natural talent. Her colleagues on the proposition included Sister Jane Livesey, who spoke with excellent skill and humour not only in her speech but throughout the debate. Col Steven Rowland-Jones, also speaking for the motion, gave a powerful and very intellectual speech defining the motion and putting across several hard challenges for the opposition to refute. We also were very pleased to welcome The Rt Hon Richard Onslow whose speech was very thought provoking as he opened our eyes to the versatile nature of Power. The proposition posited their points with excellent clarity and skill, giving the perfect set up for their last speaker at the end of the debate Sarah Burnford, Chairwomen of last year’s committee and a member of the UVI Form

Speaking second in the debate, we were very privileged to welcome Richard Lissack QC, who spoke first for the opposing team. His speech left a lot for the proposition to prove, as did his colleague on the opposition Dr. Andrew Murrison MP, whom many of the girls had met prior to the debate, thanks to what we hope will an annual trip to the House of Commons. Speaking, as third speaker of the opposition was Mr. Patrick Daley, Head of Classics at the school and who, earlier this year, took over from Mrs. Cali Norton as Head of Debating. Before the debate was opened to the floor St. Mary’s was very pleased to welcome back Annunziata Rees-Mogg who spoke at the schools prize giving earlier in the year. All the speeches against the motion were given with confidence and intelligence, giving their last speaker at the end of the debate, Catherine Dillon (also deputy Chairwomen of last year’s committee), a firm argument to summarise.

When the debate was opened to the floor it was Emily who took on Annuzita Rees-Mogg’s speech and the rebuttal was excellent from both sides as Catherine Dillon also backing her colleague took on Emily. As the debate developed both pupils and parents voiced some excellent points, special mentions must go to Hester (UV Form), Estelle (French assistant teacher), Leanor (English as a Foreign language student), Lucy (UV Form), Mrs. Lane (parent and teacher at St. Mary’s) and Mrs. Turton (parent) who all received small prizes for their well-delivered and confidently spoken points.
 
Although the teams and the floor were keen to carry the rebuttal on, time quickly passed and Poppy closed the floor and the last speakers rounded it up. Sarah, for the proposition, delivered a very strong powerful speech clearly demonstrating her rightful appointment last year as Chairwoman. Catherine showed her intellect and clarity of speech, not only presenting her own speech but also tackling points made in Sarah’s speech and clarifying points made throughout the debate, strengthening her argument further. However there must be a winner, and with many people abstaining due to the challenging choice there was only a few votes in it. However the proposition finished the triumphant ones, proving that Power Always Corrupts.

On behalf on the committee we would like to thank not only the speakers for the privilege of their company and for entertaining us, but to Mr. James for letting us arrange and put on the event once again, to Miss. J Walker for recording the event, to Mr P Daley for his excellent guidance and help and to many others to made the evening the success that it was. St. Mary’s is always very proud of its students and the debate was no exception, the Sixth form in the debate, although against Lawyers, MP’s, Journalists etc didn’t falter and showed intelligence beyond their years and not only argued extremely well but represented the school within the teams superbly. St. Mary’s debating committee gets ready after Christmas for its next event, the Balloon Debate, and looks forward to the Guest Debate 2008.