The Union Debating Society Guide to Speaking in Formal Debates
Please check the training section for information regarding our speaker training sessions.
Table Speeches
Those interested in offering a table speech in a formal debate on any particular motion should contact the Convenor to request a speaking placement and give their full name, appropriate prefix, and subject of study. As preparations for the speaking schedule are made well in advance of the actual date, candidates are advised to be prompt with their requests!
Obviously, all table speakers are expected to come having researched the motion thoroughly, but they are not required to simply read a pre-prepared speech. Many speakers find it helpful to leave time within their speeches for points of information, rebuttal, or bits of analysis that become more relevant as the debate progresses.
Speakers are, of course, reminded to keep their remarks relevant, topical, and, above all, worthy of the reputation of the chamber. Personal insults, gratuitously offensive remarks, foul language, and disparaging comments concerning Her Majesty are completely inappropriate and may result in expulsion from the chamber.
Within these parameters, the content of each speech is the decision of each individual speaker. Factual analysis, rhetorical devices, engagement with the audience, pertinent examples, and clean humour may help to enliven your speech and are strongly encouraged.
Timing
Speeches from the table are seven minutes in length. Speakers may wish to bring a stopwatch to keep track of their remaining time. However, the Clerk to House will help keep time by banging the gavel:
After One Minute: One bang, to signal the opening of the floor to points of information (POIs).
After Six Minutes: One bang, to signal the closing of the floor to points of information.
After Seven Minutes: Two bangs, to signal the end of time and remind the speaker to draw their remarks to a conclusion.
Points of Information (POIs)
POIs are questions or statements of fact offered by any table speaker to one of their opponents on the other side of the table. They may be offered after the first minute of the speaker's speech but not after the sixth minute.
A speaker wishing to raise a POI should rise from their chair, extending one arm and covering their head with the other, whilst exclaiming, 'On that point, madam!', 'A point of information, sir!', or something similar.
If offered a POI, a speaker may either accept or decline at their own pleasure. To accept a POI, the speaker should point to speaker whose point they wish to entertain saying, 'I take your point, sir!', 'Yes, madam!', or something broadly similar. To refuse a point the speaker should wave their hand vertically, indicated that members offering POIs should take their seats.
If declined, a speaker must return to their seat immediately. If accepted, the speaker should state their point promptly (no more than fifteen seconds) and politely before returning to their seat. A point of information might read something like,
'Will the gentlemen accept that this military action has only served to work as a recruiting sergeant for terrorist networks?'
Speakers are permitted to accept as many POIs as they please (or none at all), though it is customary to entertain one or two during each speech. Speakers are strongly discouraged from offering excessive POIs (also known as 'badgering') but are actively encouraged to offer points of information.
POIs are not permitted from non-table speakers.
Members of the House (Everyone in the chamber)
Public Debates have a proud tradition of involving members of the house. Laughter, applause; cries of 'Hear, hear!' and 'Shame!' regularly ring throughout the hall during formal debates. Nonetheless, house members are expected to remain polite and respectful, allowing the table speakers to proceed uninterrupted.
Furthermore, if a debater should mention a monetary sum during their speech, the floor is expected to enquire, 'How much?' and beg a reply from the speaker. If the speaker obliges and repeats the figure, they will be met with replies of 'That's cheap!' regardless of the stated sum!
Members of the house wishing to comment on the debate will be given such opportunity before a division is called. Members will indicate their desire to speak by raising their hand. If recognised by the Convenor, the member will rise, state their name, and offer no more than two or three minutes worth of additional argument or a question to the table speakers. Floor speeches may urge members to vote in proposition, opposition, or abstention (to cries of 'liberals!' from everyone else).