Brighton Cardinal Newman students in House of Lords debate

Pupils from Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove were invited to Parliament for the Debating Matters event against schools from across the country.

In the semi final Otega Hugbo and Joseph Burman were victorious over Gillingham School's team as they argued in favour of the motion that cancel culture is a threat to freedom of speech.

Samuele Salvatore and Savannah Dorjee speaking to the group (Image: UK Parliament)

The Hove school then progressed to the final where they narrowly lost to The Ecclesbourne School in Derbyshire, after proposing the motion that western museums should repatriate cultural artefacts. In this debate, Samuele Salvatore and Savannah Dorjee spoke for Newman.

Baroness Smith of Newnham, on the judging panel for the semi final, said:  “I was judging a fascinating debate about cancel culture and freedom of speech. The four debaters all arrived prepared and were keen to make their points and try and persuade the audience. 

“What was interesting was that we got into discussion about democracy and the audience really participated as well.

"This was a great opportunity for students, whether audience or debaters, to get a real understanding of how you make your argument, how you make your case and that debate matters.” 

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Sixth form student Otega said: "I’m very pleased with how the debate went. I think me and my partner made some very good points and we were able to speak and make our arguments well. And of course the opposition made some very valid points too. 

“As a member of a debate club that we run at school, the most beneficial part of coming to the House of Lords debate today is the feedback we were able to get from these experts and to get challenged.”