Dewar Debate final takes place tomorrow

Four teams will tomorrow evening (7 June) contest the final of this year’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament, run by the Law Society of Scotland.

The debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament will provide the setting as pupils from Peebles High School, Perth High School, Lenzie Academy and Strathallan School debate the motion: “This House believes that physician assisted suicide should be legalised.”

They are the last four of the 128 teams who entered the first round of the competition back in November, and have come through two further testing heats to reach the final, which will be chaired by Deputy Presiding Officer, Linda Fabiani MSP.

Pupils from seven other participating schools will take part in the floor debate.

Law firm TC Young and publishers Hodder Gibson are event sponsors, the Society provides the first prize of £1,000, and a runners-up prize of £250 is donated by the Glasgow Bar Association. The top two schools will share educational books to the value of £500 donated by Hodder Gibson and the winner of the best floor speech will receive a £50 book token.

Alison Atack, President of the Law Society of Scotland commented: “As we approach the 20th anniversary of the Donald Dewar Debate, this year has been yet another fantastic tournament.

“Each and every one of the 128 teams who have taken part are to be congratulated on their performances and the four schools in the final should be incredibly proud of themselves.

“The quality of the arguments showcased this year and the confidence and talent of these young debaters has been outstanding. I look forward to hearing what they have to say on this contentious subject, in the grand surroundings of the debating chamber on Thursday night and wish all four teams the very best of luck.”

Ms Fabiani added: “This Thursday’s debate on assisted suicide will require much thought and skill from the finalists. This is a complex, demanding topic that combines law, medicine and ethics. MSPs have debated the very same subject over the years.

“Young people often bring interesting perspectives to challenging areas, and I look forward to hearing the arguments they present to the chamber on Thursday.”