Last week Gagan Mohindra MP, alongside Dean Russell MP, hosted this year’s Watford and South West Hertfordshire Schools debating competition in Parliament. Gagan was very pleased with the success of the event and was delighted to hand the trophy to Watford Boys’ School, who won the Grand Final in a closely fought competition.
The schools were judged by a panel of speakers, led by Lord Gadhia. This panel included Cllr Caroline Clapper, Cllr Reena Ranger, Chief Inspector Andy Wiseman, and Richard Coles, a retired London solicitor.
All the judges applauded the exceptionally high standard of debate from all of the schools competing. The competitors represented a mix of state and independent schools, as well as boys’, girls’, and coeducational schools. The topics debated included education policy, the future of NATO, and lowering the voting age. Gagan himself noted the commendable degree of preparation and intellectual rigour displayed by the participants, as well the civil and productive tone of their speeches.
The event was held primarily in the Grand Committee Room in Westminster Hall, a room afforded the same legislative capacity as the Chamber in the House of Commons, which is usually used for smaller parliamentary debates. Over the course of the day several students told Gagan what a pleasure it was to be invited to Parliament and how exciting it was to be debating in such an important and historic building.
Gagan talked to the schoolchildren about the importance of public speaking and how he overcame the challenges of dyslexia to become a Member of Parliament.