Rapid debate

On Monday, 27th April the Sylvans will hold a rapid debate session covering 2-3 short topics.

All are welcome to attend without pre-registration – we have new joiners all the time, and no experience is required.  Attendees are welcome to participate or simply observe.  The event will be held at Ye Olde Cock Tavern, 22 Fleet Street, simply turn up at 6:45 for a 7pm start.

We will take a vote at the beginning of the evening on which topics to debate from the following set:

1. tbc
2. the focus on elite women has slowed progress for most women
3. tbc
4. all utility companies should be re-nationalised
5. tbc

We will also offer impromptu debates at the end of the meeting with a humorous approach to this challenging public speaking technique!

Recent results

• the US is no longer a European ally: did not carry in a razor-thin vote
• AI will widen inequality more than it increases productivity: carried
• we would fight to ensure Greenland’s sovereignty: carried
• economic growth is incompatible with solving climate change: did not carry
• we can no longer afford the NHS: did not carry
• masculinity is not inherently toxic: carried
• digital IDs are an invasion of civil liberties: carried 
• the justice system should rely less on human judgement: carried in a close vote
• we should take much stronger action against antisocial ideologies: carried in a close vote
• showing emotion in itself is not a weakness: carried
• we should scrap the honours system: did not carry
• inheritance tax should be 100% above £1 million: did not carry in a razor-thin vote
• AI will require the UK to implement a universal basic income: did not carry
• investing in international aid will drive better returns than defence: carried
• protest is more effective than voting in achieving systemic change: carried in a razor-thin vote
• we should not try to extend human lifespans: carried in a close vote
• this house supports the Supreme Court’s definition of a woman: carried
• we should focus on producing butter, not guns: carried
• working from home has had its day: carried in a razor-thin vote
• we should prioritise equality of opportunity over equality of outcome: carried
• a child’s success depends more on family than schooling: carried
• the UK’s economy needs fundamental restructuring: carried
• Ukraine should give up territory to secure peace: carried in a razor thin vote
• those attacking wokeness simply fuel the fire of sexism and racism: carried
• this house believes Trump will support world peace: did not carry in a razor-thin vote
• the British Empire did more good than harm: did not carry
• Israel has no intention of making peace: carried in a razor-thin vote
• this house supports free speech on social media: carried
• the love of money is the root of all evil: did not carry
• MPs should be liable for prosecution for lying: carried in a very close vote
• the left are more fascist and bigoted than the right: did not carry
• smart phones have made us stupid: carried
• the Labour government is too conservative for its own good: did not carry in a very close vote
• we should push old men out of politics: did not carry
• this house welcomes Nigel Farage’s Reform party: did not carry in a close vote
• the UK should move to a war footing: carried in a very close vote
• the benefits of facial recognition outweigh their privacy implications: did not carry
• this house welcomes the government’s anti-smoking laws: carried
• the Israeli response in Gaza is proportionate to the existential threat it faces: did not carry
• protesting outside MPs’ homes is acceptable to effect change: did not carry
• countries not meeting their NATO budget commitment should immediately lose membership: did not carry
• capitalism represents one of human history’s great success stories: carried
• unis should prioritise degrees that lead to higher earnings: carried
• British journalism remains our best protection against the abuse of power: carried
• politicians should be required to pass a chartered qualification before becoming a minister: did not carry

(See results of past shorts below.)

Rapid debate format

The debates will explore each topic within 45 minutes, with a vote taken at the end to see which way the house stands.  All audience members will have the chance to speak ‘from the floor’ to contribute to the discussion.

We will take two volunteers on the night to speak for up to 5 minutes as first speakers, with those first speakers having the right to summarise the debate for 3 minutes at the conclusion, just before the final vote.  Floor speeches from the audience will last up to 3 minutes each.

Social ethos

More so than in normal Sylvan debates, this event aims to foster social interaction and informal discussion.  We will encourage participants to come in and out of the debates as much as they like – heading down to the bar to recharge glasses, or to have informal side conversations in the pub.

Joining the rapid debate

The debate will be held in person at our venue Ye Olde Cock Tavern, 22 Fleet Street.

To receive email updates about this event and other Sylvan happenings, please complete the ‘join our newsletter’ form at the bottom of this page (check your spam folder if you do not receive the note to confirm your email).  If you run into any issues, please contact us.

Earlier rapid debate results

• the UK should leave the ECHR: did not carry
• this house believes that multiculturalism works: carried
• the NHS should focus on prevention and well-being: carried
• this house believes Britain is broken: carried
• LGBTQ+ education should be taught in schools: carried
• assisted dying should be legalised: carried
• religion drives more division than unity: carried
• wars can never be justified: did not carry
• positive discrimination policies should be abolished: carried
• we should abolish inheritance tax: did not carry
• that devolution isn’t working for the UK: did not carry in a close vote
• Europe should seek strategic autonomy from the US and China: the motion carried
• public transport should be free for all: did not carry in a very close vote
• freedom of speech should not be limited by employment contracts: did not carry in a very close vote
• the BBC should provide balanced coverage, rather than constant impartiality: did not carry in a very close vote
• Western museums should repatriate cultural artifacts: the motion carried
• we should ban MPs from having second jobs: did not carry
• University should be free for everyone: did not carry
• wood burning should be banned in built-up areas: the motion carried
• all MPs should be required to use the NHS exclusively:  the motion carried in a very close vote
• Greta is right, COP is just greenwashing: the motion carried
• economic growth should be the government’s core objective: the motion carried
• we should boycott the Qatar world cup: the motion carried in a very close vote

Beyond the rapid debate meetings, see information on other Sylvan debates here.