Debating with David Starkey CBE at The Durham Union Society

Old Waconian, Lily-Ella, was selected as one of 6 speakers to take part in this well-respected event at The Durham Union Society. Each person spoke for 10 minutes in front of a crowd of 400 spectators. Lily-Ella shares more:

"It was an absolute honour to have been invited to speak in The Durham Union Society's opening Michaelmas term debate, delivering a ten minute speech on the proposition bench, in favour of the motion: 'This House Believes Britain is a Villain of History.' In a room of near 400 spectators, I spoke alongside Professor Timothy Luckhurst and Tim Moller against historian, David Starkey CBE.

I am so honoured to have been given the opportunity to engage in this debate and deliver a speech touching on a historical topic I find so close to my heart, encouraging thought and debate surrounding the legacy of the British Empire and the memorialisation of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade.

I would like to thank The Durham Union Society for inviting me to speak, and in the wise words of my Grandfather who engaged in a life-long career in politics, this debate hopefully marks only the beginning of many more to come in courtrooms and Westminster!

As an Old Waconian, I credit all my history knowledge with the CHS History & Politics department!"