Heriott Watt Open, Edinburgh, Scotland, March 29 2014

Heriott Watt Open, Edinburgh, Scotland, March 29 2014

• R1: THBT the death of newspapers and print news media would be good for journalism
• R2: Info: "Hookup apps are smartphone (Android, iPhone, etc.) programs which match people to others seeking casual sex, and put them in contact. The two most popular apps are ‘Tinder’ which sees ten million matches per day, and ‘Grindr’ (which is designed for men meeting men), which has over a four million users, one million using it daily" Motion: TH regrets hookup apps
• R3: Info: Most votes in parliaments are 'whipped votes': in these cases MPs might be expelled from their party or denied promotion if they vote against the party. Occasionally a party will have a 'free vote' and MPs can vote as they like. Examples in the UK include the ban on fox hunting with dogs, votes on abortion, and the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Labour had a whipped vote in favour of same-sex marriage, whereas the Conservatives had a free vote. Motion: TH regrets free votes
• R4: Info: Of thirty-one University of Cambridge Colleges, there are three which are women-only: Murray Edwards, Newnham and Lucy Cavendish. 1,100 out of 17 000 students in women-only colleges (6%). In the university as a whole, the ratio of women to men is roughly 50:50.Motion: This house, as the University of Cambridge, would abolish women-only colleges
• Final: Info: Final info slide: The Conservative Party is the main centre-right party in the UK. The Conservative Party is wildly unpopular in Scotland with just one seat in Westminster Parliament, despite winning many seats in England. Polls of Scottish voters see them expressing economic and social views generally in line with the majority of UK voters. It has been proposed that the Conservative Party in Scotland split with UK Conservative Party. The new party would have an independent policy platform. Motion: In the event of a 'no' vote in the independence referendum, THBT the Scottish Conservative Party should split from the UK Conservative Party