British Parliamentary (BP) debate is unique because it involves four teams in each debate. Each team has two speakers who each delivers a seven minute speech. Like other parliamentary debate styles (AP and World Schools) the interactive element of the debate is Points of Information (POIs). Each team is competing for a ranking from one to four, as opposed to a simple win against the opponent. All topics are impromptu topics and the students only have 15 minutes to prepare for the debates after hearing the topic, so it values quick thinking and breadth of knowledge instead of in-depth research and preparation like Public Forum (PF).
Format Description:
British Parliamentary (BP) debate is unique because it involves four teams in each debate. Each team is competing for a ranking from one to four, as opposed to a simple win against the opponent. In BP debate there are two people on each team. All topics are impromptu topics and the students only have 15 minutes to prepare for the debates after hearing the topic. There are a total of eight speakers in the debate and each speaker delivers a seven- minute speech. Like other parliamentary debate styles (AP and World Schools) the interactive element of the debate is Points of Information (POIs).
Sample Topics:
This house would allow members of the armed forces to form labour unions. This house believes that sports leagues should significantly tax and redistribute from wealthier teams to poorer teams.
In areas with rapidly rising property prices, this house would suspend all restrictions on property development that are not health and safety requirements (for example, environmental zoning regulations, building height restrictions, and regulations on the appearance of buildings).
Key Competitions:
There are several BP competitions around the world but there a few that are particularly relevant to the LearningLeaders community. These include: China BP, Asian BP, Hong Kong Debate Open (HKDO), Shanghai International Debate Open (SIDO), and Beijing Debate Challenge (BDC). Please see the LearningLeaders competition schedule for more details about these events.
Eligibility:
Participation in BP events is mostly reserved for students in Advanced and Elite debate. There are some events that are open to middle school students but most BP events are most suitable to high school students as more complicated topics are often debated.
Competitor Characteristics & Difficulty Level:
British Parliamentary (BP) is the most widely utilized format at the university- level in the world. It is widely considered the most sophisticated and strategic debate format with four teams in each debate. Participants at local competitions are top college students from Asia as well as students from top universities around the world. Most events are “Open,” which means anyone can enter. Participants may also be seasoned debate coaches or debate professionals. For these reasons the difficulty level varies greatly. Thus, BP events provide an outstanding learning experience.
Key Advantages of Participation:
British Parliamentary (BP) debate is a great way for high school students to sharpen their skills for participation in WSDC competitions. Debaters will gain the benefits of other parliamentary formats as well as learn advanced strategic techniques. Students are required to distinguish themselves not simply from an opposing side taking the opposite position; they must also distinguish themselves from a team taking the same position. Students will learn about a wide range of current events and contemporary controversies.
Training Opportunities:
Distinguished Debate: BP.