Opening teams

Summary

In this video, Tash explains the crucial role of the opening team in British Parliamentary (BP) debating. The opening team consists of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister from the government side, and the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Their primary task is to set up the debate by framing the context, introducing key principles, and offering substantive arguments. They must also engage in rebuttal and strategically use points of information (POIs) to maintain relevance as the debate progresses. The opening team's effectiveness is measured by their ability to control the debate and leave a lasting impact on the adjudicators.

Takeaways

• 😀 The British Parliamentary (BP) debate consists of two teams: Opening Government and Opening Opposition.
• 😀 Each team has two speakers: the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Opening Government, and the Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition for Opening Opposition.
• 😀 The Opening Team sets up the debate by characterizing the world, providing examples, and introducing key concepts to ensure clarity for the audience.
• 😀 The Opening Team should clearly define principles and present arguments that include names, places, and other relevant details to give context to the debate.
• 😀 A successful Opening Team demonstrates that it has framed the emotional and intellectual context in a way that all teams can engage with.
• 😀 Rebuttal is crucial for the Opening Team as they directly engage with the opposing team’s arguments and challenge their points.
• 😀 Points of Information (POIs) are vital for maintaining control of the debate, as the Opening Team does not have another opportunity to speak after their initial speeches.
• 😀 POIs allow the Opening Team to ensure that the adjudicator remembers their arguments throughout the debate, especially after the opening half.
• 😀 The Opening Government and Opposition must engage with each other throughout the debate by offering rebuttals and raising points of information.
• 😀 The role of the Opening Team is not just to present a case but also to ensure the debate remains relevant, strategic, and focused on critical arguments for the closing half.

Q & A

What are the two main teams in British Parliamentary (BP) debating?

The two main teams in British Parliamentary debating are the Opening Government and the Opening Opposition.

How many speakers are there in each team during a BP debate?

Each team has two speakers, making a total of four speakers in the opening half of the debate.

What are the roles of the speakers in the Opening Government?

In the Opening Government, the first speaker is the Prime Minister, followed by the Deputy Prime Minister.

What are the roles of the speakers in the Opening Opposition?

In the Opening Opposition, the first speaker is the Leader of the Opposition, followed by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

What is the primary role of the opening team in BP debating?

The primary role of the opening team is to set up the debate, establish the context, characterize the world of the debate, and provide arguments and rebuttals.

Why is it important for the opening team to characterize the world of the debate?

Characterizing the world of the debate helps the audience understand the examples, principles, and arguments being discussed, creating a foundation for all teams to engage with the topic effectively.

What is the significance of points of information (POIs) in BP debating?

Points of information are crucial because they allow the opening team to maintain relevance and influence the debate even after their speeches. They help ensure that the adjudicator and audience remember their material during the closing half.

How does the role of the opening team differ from the closing team in BP debating?

The opening team's role is to set up the debate, present arguments, and establish context, while the closing team focuses on further developing arguments and engaging in rebuttal without the opportunity for additional speeches.

What should the Deputy Prime Minister focus on during their speech?

The Deputy Prime Minister should introduce one or two new points of substance and engage in rebuttal of the opposition's arguments.

How can an opening team demonstrate control over the debate?

An opening team can demonstrate control by presenting clear and strategic arguments, rebutting opposition points effectively, and consistently using points of information to stay relevant throughout the debate.