Glasgow pupils win the debate on devolution babies in Law Society debating tournament final
Glasgow Academy pupils, Cosmo Grant and Allen Farrington, made a winning team when they triumphed at the national final of the Law Society of Scotland’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, June 11.
In addition to the tournament trophy, the pair won £1,000 for their school debating society, a commemorative quaich and £100 of book tokens each for their persuasive arguments in proposing the motion ‘This house believes that the babies of 1999 are reaping the benefits of devolution’ in the Parliament’s debating chamber last night.
Runners up Imogen Dewar and Georgina Barker from George Heriot 's School , Edinburgh, received £250 for their school, donated by the Glasgow Bar Association, a commemorative quaich and £75 of book tokens each. The two schools will also share £500 of educational books from Hodder Gibson. The two other teams were also presented with a quaich each and £50 of book tokens.
This year the Society teamed up with the Scottish Youth Parliament, with additional support from Young Scot, as part of its 60th year commemorations and the Scottish Parliament’s 10th anniversary.
Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Society, said: “I want to congratulate everyone who took part in the final tonight as well as our winners Cosmo and Allen. The judges had a very difficult job in choosing the winning team and it was wonderful to see the quality and passion of the debate – not only from the finalists but also those asking questions from the floor, including Campbell Wallace from Douglas Academy who was awarded for the ‘best contribution from the floor’. I have always thought that far more dangerous than unanswered questions, are unquestioned answers and so the spirit and skill of debate is something that we should nurture and value.
“Having witnessed the capabilities of these young people it’s also reassuring to know that the future of debate in Scotland is in very, very capable hands.
Ms Jack added: “I also want to thank our tournament partner, the Scottish Youth Parliament and the support we’ve had from Young Scot, for helping to make this year's debate, including the afternoon event held at the Parliament today so successful. The range of debates this year - all themed around issues of interest to young people – were inspired. Working with the Scottish Youth Parliament and Young Scot has brought a fabulous focus to our tournament, and one which has been well received by both pupils and their coaches.”
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP, who chaired the debate, said: “The voice of Scotland's young people is vitally important to us, and we aim to ensure that there are many relevant and innovative ways in which young people can engage with their Parliament . More than 130 teams from the Western Isles to the Scottish Borders entered the tournament this year, so I congratulate all four teams who made it to the final – each of the teams was exceptional, despite the judges having to choose just one winner. "
12 JUNE 2008
The four teams of finalists were:
Tahleel Lateef and Alasdair Clarkson, Mearns Castle High School, Newton Mearns
Imogen Dewar and Georgina Barker, George Heriots, Edinburgh
Michael Weir and Alice Minick, Madras College, St Andrews
Cosmo Grant and Allen Farrington, Glasgow Academy
The Law Society of Scotland’s debating tournament commemorating Donald Dewar, himself a former solicitor as well as esteemed politician and Scotland’s first First Minister, was launched to mark the Society’s 50th anniversary in 1999 and has since become the biggest schools’ debating tournament in the country.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Val McEwan or Suzy Powell at the Law Society of Scotland on 0131 226 8884 or 0131 476 8115. Email: valeriemcewan@lawscot.org.uk / suzypowell@lawscot.org.uk
