03/09/2025
Report Online Club Tuesday 2nd September 2025
25 people tuned into the Zoom room on Tuesday 25th September for improvised Mini-Debates and a prepared debate on world government – do we need it?
Online Club president Bill Moss welcomed those who dutifully kept their cameras on before he handed over to himself to chair the Mini-Debate session.
The topic was one that we are always told to avoid: religion! The debaters discussed the merits or otherwise of belief in God, the separation of Church and State, being a Christian, being a Druid, the war on Christianity, and the desirability of theocracy.
Our smooth talking prophet of the new age, Simon, won best Mini-Debate speech for his defence of theocracy.
After a short break President Bill handed over the virtual gavel to Saad to chair the prepared debate on the motion “This House Believes a World Government is Needed to Ensure World Peace”. This was Saad’s first chairing, and he made it look as easy as a real pro!
The opening vote was 4 in favour, 11 opposed and 4 abstaining (plus some not voting at all).
After a debate that became mostly about whether a world government is feasible and desirable, and that delved into how it might be done – kudos to the Proposition for having done such thorough work on that – the final vote gave a small swing to the Proposition, but the motion was rejected with 7 in favour, 13 opposed and 1 abstaining.
Both teams added to their tally, which is usually a sign of a good quality debate with strong arguments on either side.
We congratulate Poonam, who spoke for the Opposition, on winning the Audience Prize as Best Speaker.
We also congratulate new members Caitlin and Peter, who very sportingly took on the challenge and argued for the Proposition in what was the first debate for both of them.
Lucy, in her first outing as Evaluator, gave a most thorough feedback, pointing out that although there was a good clash, with much attack and defence, there could have been a bit more guiding of the audience – in other words, what was the warrant: if this is true, why does that mean we should vote this or that way? It was pointed out that the motion did not call for the Proposition to argue for a world government, only to prove it is necessary to ensure world peace, so the terms “need” and “ensure” could have been focussed more on, Lucy pointed out.
Lots of first times in yesterday’s meeting, and it should also be mentioned that Vicky, VPE in the London club, took on the role of Zoom Host for the first time, and kept the meeting running smoothly.
Thank you to all who took on roles: you make the meetings happen!
After the awards, President Bill reminded us that the next meeting is on Tuesday 7th October, and the motion is: “This House Believes AI is Making Us Lazy and Stupid”.
