British Parliamentary

British parliamentary
The British Parliamentary Debate Format
Robert Trapp, Willamette University
Yang Ge, Dalian Nationalities University

A debate format consists of a description of the teams in the debate and the order and times for the speeches that make up that debate. The British Parliamentary debate format[1] differs from many other formats because it involves four teams rather than two. Two teams, called the “First Proposition” and the “Second Proposition” teams, are charged with the responsibility of supporting the proposition while two other teams, “First Opposition” and “Second Opposition,” are charged with opposing it.

Two speakers represent each of the four teams and each speaker gives a speech of seven minutes. The following chart describes the basic format and time limits. As you will see from the chart, each speaker is given a unique title.

British Parliamentary Debate Format

|Speaker |Time |
|Prime Minister |7 minutes |
|1st speaker for 1st proposition: | |
|Leader of Opposition |7 minutes |
|1st speaker for 1st opposition: | |
|Deputy Prime Minister |7 minutes |
|2nd speaker for 1st proposition: | |
|Deputy Leader of Opposition |7 minutes |
|2nd speaker for 1st opposition: | |
|Member of Government |7 minutes |
|1st speaker for 2nd proposition: | |
|Member of Opposition |7 minutes |
|1st speaker for 2nd opposition: |