BSED Major in Social Studies 2

British Parliamentary Debate

The British Parliamentary (BP) debate format is widely used in universities and international debating competitions. It involves four teams, each with two speakers, and is designed to simulate a parliamentary debate with structured rules. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

1. Structure and Teams

There are four teams in a BP debate, each with two speakers:

Opening Government (OG): Supports the motion.

Opening Opposition (OO): Opposes the motion.

Closing Government (CG): Also supports the motion but builds on OG’s arguments.

Closing Opposition (CO): Opposes the motion and expands on OO’s case.

Each team works separately, with OG and OO as the opening half and CG and CO as the closing half.

2. Role of Each Team

Opening Government (OG): The Prime Minister (first speaker) defines the motion, sets up the framework for the debate, and presents the main arguments supporting it. The Deputy Prime Minister (second speaker) further develops OG’s case and responds to OO’s points.

Opening Opposition (OO): The Leader of Opposition (first speaker) responds to OG, opposing the motion by presenting counterarguments. The Deputy Leader of Opposition (second speaker) further develops these points and responds to OG’s arguments.

Closing Government (CG): The Member of Government (first speaker) introduces new points in support of the motion (known as the “extension”). The Government Whip (second speaker) sums up OG and CG arguments and counters opposition arguments.

Closing Opposition (CO): The Member of Opposition presents a new extension that strengthens OO’s case against the motion. The Opposition Whip wraps up the OO and CO arguments and reinforces their case.

3. Roles of Speakers

Each speaker has specific tasks in presenting their side, expanding on ideas, and rebutting opponents.

Whips (the last speaker on each side) summarize the debate, highlight the strengths of their team’s arguments, and rebut opposing arguments. They do not introduce new material.

4. Timing

Each speaker is usually given 5 to 7 minutes to present their arguments, depending on the competition rules.

Points of Information (POIs) can be offered by opposing teams between the 1st and 6th minutes. POIs are brief interruptions where an opposing speaker can ask a question or make a quick rebuttal to challenge the speaker’s argument.

5. Scoring and Adjudication

BP debates are judged by a panel, with speakers and teams scored based on Content (argument quality), Style (delivery), and Strategy (structure and prioritization).

Each team is ranked from 1st to 4th place based on their performance, with the first-place team earning the most points.

Judges consider each team’s contributions independently, even if they’re on the same side (government or opposition), so it’s possible for the Opening Opposition to rank higher than the Closing Opposition, and vice versa.

6. Extensions

Teams in the second half (Closing Government and Closing Opposition) need to provide an extension—new arguments or perspectives that build on, but are distinct from, the points presented by the Opening teams.

Extensions are crucial for the closing teams to avoid merely repeating earlier points, as they must show a unique contribution to their side.

7. Adjudication Criteria