Local MP judges debating final

Taunton MP Jeremy Browne was at King's last week, looking out for the next generation of would-be parliamentary debaters. He was judging the highly competitive final of the house debating competition, and commented how impressed he was not only by the main speakers, but by the quality of the floor debate too.

The final was between Taylor House and King Alfred, who were debating the motion "This House has had enough of celebrity". The main speakers 16-year old Caroline Tecks and 18-year old James Walker are normally to be found on the same side of the despatch box. They form the school debating team, who are through to the district final of the ESU Schools' Mace Debating Competition, which takes place later this month.

"It was good to cross swords with James for once" said Caroline, "though we know each other so well I almost knew what he was going to say before he said it."

After a vigorous floor debate, it was the girls who had the last word, winning the competition by the narrowest of margins. Housemistress Gerri Fagan who runs the debating at King's said "It was one of the best finals we've had in recent years, and we're really grateful to Jeremy Browne for giving up his time to pass on his expert tips."