Split verdict secures first O’Connell Debating Cup for Edinburgh House

16 March 2026

Last week, Year 10 and 11 debaters contested a vote of no confidence in His Majesty’s Government in a motion proposed by Edinburgh and opposed by the government, represented by Tallis, in the Final of the Inter-House competition.

Two talented teams clashed in an outstanding debate. Although the Government survived the confidence motion in the division of the House, the three adjudicators, on a split vote 2-1, awarded the tie to Edinburgh, who lifted the O’Connell Debating Cup for the first time.

On Thursday, Jemima, Grace and Lewis took part in the Regional Final of the ESU Public Speaking competition at the Thomas Gainsborough School in Great Cornard. Our young team performed really well in the roles of Chair, Speaker and Questioner but it was our hosts who qualified as the only team selected to take part in the national final.