The team from Chasetown Specialist Sports College won tonight’s (Friday
24th February) Michael Fabricant/Arthur Price of England Schools
Parliamentary Speaking Competition and the prize for Best overall
speaker went to Daniel Hewitt, a member of that team too. The other two
members of the winning team were Holly Everett and James Hill.

The team argued against the motion "That this House believes that NHS
treatment should be denied to patients whose illness is self inflicted
through unhealthy activities." Mr Speaker for the evening was the Right
Honourable Patrick McLoughlin MP, Opposition Chief Whip. The prizes
were awarded jointly by Mr McLoughlin and Michael Fabricant. In
addition to the cups awarded to the School and the debaters, Mrs
Priscilla E Slusar, headteacher, also accepted a winners certificate.

Michael Fabricant says: "Every year, the debating standard improves and
it was a tough call for the judges to decide the winning team. The
marking was very close. I hope that someday some of the competitors
might consider standing for Parliament; the House of Commons needs some
of the fresh ideas and the enthusiasm displayed tonight by these
debaters."