Structure of British Parliamentary Debating

There are four teams in this style debate, each team composed of two people, thus a total of 8 speakers. Two teams represent the Government, and two teams represent the Opposition. The Government supports the resolution, and the Opposition opposes the resolution. Each debater has 7 minutes to speak. The first and last minutes are protected time. (meaning no POI's are allowed). Here's how the structure goes, stating the roles of each speaker:

1. Prime Minister (Opening Government):
  • Defines the resolution
  • Introduces the Government case
  • 3-5 arguments
2. Leader of the Opposition (Opening Opposition):
  • Introduces Opening Opposition case
  • 3-5 arguments
  • Rebuts what PM said
  • If there's going to be a definitional challenge, the LO must mention it in their speech, otherwise all the other teams in the round must accept the original definition
3. Deputy Prime Minister (Opening Government):
  • Continues Opening Government case
  • 1-2 arguments
  • Rebuts what LO said
4. Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Opening Opposition):
  • Continues Opening Opposition case
  • 1-2 arguments
  • Rebuts what DPM said
5. Member of the Government (Closing Government):
  • Extends the Government case
  • 1-2 arguments
  • Rebuts what DLO said
6. Member of the Opposition (Closing Opposition):
  • Extends the Opposition case
  • 1-2 arguments
  • Rebuts what MG said
7. Government Whip (Closing Government):
  • May introduce new contentions, but it's not generally recommended
  • Rebuts what the MO said
  • Summarizes the debate
8. Opposition Whip (Closing Government):
  • Absolutely no new contentions may be introduced, but new evidence in support of existing contentions may be introduced
  • Rebuts what the GW said
  • Summarizes the debate


Structure of Canadian Parliamentary Debating

Here's how a debate round runs:

PMC --> MO --> MC --> LO --> PMR

What do all these abbreviations mean? They're simply the titles of the different speakers. Here's how it goes:

1. PMC - Prime Minister's Constructive

  • 7 minutes
  • Quick link from resolution to case
  • Case Statement - state case clearly in one sentence
  • Case Construction - give necessary background information
  • State four to five constructives with supporting examples, analogies, etc.
  • Summarize

2. MO - Member of Opposition

  • 7 minutes
  • Open with the key problem of the governments case (if there is one) or the general stance opposition is going to take.
  • State one to two constructive/s
  • Examine each of the points made by the PM and explain why they are flawed, inconsistent or irrelevant

3. MC - Minister of the Crown

  • 7 minutes
  • Reaffirm the Government case (especially if the MO misunderstood it)
  • Add one to two constructive argument(s)
  • Deconstruct the MO's point
  • Reconstruct the PM's points, refer back to your partners speech and what the MO said
  • Summarize

4. LO - Leader of the Opposition

  • 10 minutes
  • 3-5 constructive points
  • Deconstruct the MC's points, and state why the MO's deconstruction of the PM still stands
  • Reconstruct the MO's points
  • Address the underlying philosophy/theme/questions of the debate
  • Sum up the debate and explain why the opposition has won

5. PMR - Prime Minister's Rebuttal

  • 3 minutes
  • State the 2-3 main themes/questions of the round
  • State and deconstruct the opp's weakest and strongest point (one of each)
  • Explain why you should win the round
  • End strong

Overall be sure to remember: 'CDR' construct, deconstruct, reconstruct...

Construction: These are supportive points made for your case. State them in order and then develop them in order.
Deconstruction: This is the refutation of the opposing side's constructive points. Deal with them in the order they were given.
Reconstruction: Stand up and defend your partner. Explain why the other side failed to deconstruct his/her point.