Information for Speakers
Rundown of the Evening

As part of our longstanding tradition, the President, the speakers, and the rest of the UDS board will process into LPH and perform the traditional opening business. This consists of a series of fun greetings and a (hopefully) whitty impression before the Debate begins.
Every Debate follows the same format:
Every speaker is required to make an address to the chamber of up to 10 minutes outlining your position. Speakers are welcome to bring notes with them or can speak freely. Audio/ visual presentations are not required. We recommend outlining your definition of the Debate and explaining keywords before launching into your opening arguments.
The 1st speaker of the proposition will start, and the Debate will cross the table to the 1st opposition speaker. After that, the 2nd proposition speaker will make their address before the 2nd opposition speaker finalizes the 'Opening Arguments'.
After all guest speakers have addressed the chamber, the Debate is 'opened to the floor', and the President calls upon attendees to give a speech of up to two minutes. A prize is given for the best student speech.
Once this has concluded, the debate' returns to the dispatch boxes' and each side of the table has 10 minutes to answer questions or comments from the floor speeches given by students, and to make their final remarks. Speakers will usually split these 10 minutes equally between them.
Finally, the house votes, and the motion either passes or fails.
Further Information
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: publicdebates@st-andrews.ac.uk
We can arrange (and pay for) transportation and accommodation.
We can also reimburse speakers if they organise transportation or accommodation, but up to a specific limit. This has to be discussed with us before you travel.
