After a break because of Covid, the Michael Fabricant–Arthur Price of England Schools Speaking Competition returns this coming Friday 11th March and is open to the public.

The motion to be debated this year will be:

“That this House believes the positive aspects of social media outweigh the negatives.”

“The public as well as friends and relatives of the speakers in the competition are welcome to attend and doors will open from around 7pm at the Guildhall in Lichfield next Friday” says Michael Fabricant. “The competition will begin around 7.30pm.”

Four schools, each with teams of three, will be competing this year: The Friary, King Edward VI, Lichfield Cathedral School, and Netherstowe.

The judges will be: The Mayor and the Sheriff of Lichfield, the President of Rotary Club Lichfield St Chad, and Mr Simon Price.

Michael adds: “The competition is run on Parliamentary lines with the opening commencing with the mace being brought in.  The audience is invited to cheer and wave Order Papers, but no clapping is allowed just as in the House of Commons – except in the case of the Ukrainian Ambassador who attended last Wednesday. I shall be acting as Mr Speaker.

“The Motion is very topical as social media can be used for both good and evil.  Many will be aware that Facebook was blocked in Russia a few days ago following reports of atrocities in Ukraine.”