Debate with Stirling University

ROTARY CLUB AND UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING DEBATES

There was a buzz of anticipation when, for the third successive year, members of the University of Stirling Debating Society joined with members of the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club in debate on Thursday 24 March. Teams were mixed to balance what was described as youth and maturity.

The first debate focused on the controversial topic of Trident, the motion being:  “This House believes that Trident no longer serves the UK’s best interests.” In the Chair, Beth Cairns established the time limits for the various speakers and encouraged those listening to participate when their opportunity came.

 Leading for the proposition, Jordan Gilmour (from the University) argued forcefully that Trident was morally wrong; that its cost was unsustainable; and that the UK could set an example by dispensing with nuclear weapons.  Opposing, Michael Craig (also from the University) held that the cost was sustainable; that dispensing with Trident would cost many jobs; and that national security required a nuclear capability to underwrite a deterrent capability and ensure continued international influence for the UK.  Opened to the other team member and then to the floor, the points raised tested the various arguments in favour of, and against, the proposition.  In the end, on a vote, the proposition lost, the majority regarding retention of Trident as in the national interest.

Following a welcome soup and sandwiches, Peter Holmes chaired the second debate, the motion being “This House believes that current health and safety legislation goes too far.” Leading for the proposition, Rod Jones (from the Rotary Club) raised laughter by emphasizing some extremes to which we have been driven by health and safety legislation.   He maintained that the 1974 legislation had resulted in a series of requirements, including risk assessments, that had become increasingly burdensome and were often irrelevant to real life situations.  In response, Matthew Donnelly (from the University) argued strongly that while there may have been some excesses, health and safety regulations had been responsible for saving thousands of lives.  There was, he said, a need to recognise the responsibility of employers to their employees when safety was being considered.  Joined by their team members, and those from the floor, there was a good deal of humorous banter, though behind this a recognition that deaths and injuries had been prevented.  Nonetheless, when put to the vote, the decision was clearly in favour of the motion by a substantial majority.

Thanking participants, President Mary Fraser said that she was delighted that this, the third annual debate, had been so successful. She particularly wanted to thank those from the University who had joined Rotary members.  She very much hopes that this event would remain an annual fixture.

The meeting of the Rotary Club on Thursday 31 March will be held at the Westlands Hotel, Doune Road, at 6.00 for 6-30pm. The speaker will be Lewis Faulds, from Dunblane High School, the Rotary Club’s Euroscola who has been to Strasbourg to join students from across the EU. Visitors are always very welcome.  Anyone interested in attending should contact the Club Secretary, Iain Fraser at secretary@dunblanerotary.org.  Tel: 01786 822751.  More information can be found on the Club website: www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or the Facebook site: www.facebook.com/dunblanerotary.