Next debate: Is it time to abolish GMT?

DATE: Thursday 07 April 2011
TIME: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
VENUE: The Harcourt, 32 Harcourt Street, London W1H 4HX
MOTION: This House Would abolish Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Background:

The end of March saw the clocks go forward once more. Should they ever be moved back again?

British Summer Time has been a part of British life since 1916 and was extended in 1960 from 4 months to 7 months. Only once, however, has any government tried to formally abolish GMT and keep the clocks set forward all year round. Harold Wilson's experimentation with British Standard Time ran for 3 years until 1971, before being abandoned. The campaign for lighter evenings (but darker mornings) has continued unabated, though, and the call for change is set to be debated in Parliament with the Daylight Savings Bill, known to have David Cameron's support, already before MPs.

Should GMT be abolished once and for all and how should it be done: in one fell swoop or incrementally month by month? Should the change apply to the entire of the UK or should the regions, such as Scotland, be granted an exemption if they oppose the plan? How should such a decision even be taken? Does the impact it would inevitably have on the day to day lives of people across the country merit a national referendum on the issue?

You decide.


Debate format:

There will be four speakers in this debate, each of whom will have five minutes to make their case. After that there will be an extensive Q&A session to allow the audience plenty of time to have their own say from the floor. The motion will then be put to a vote.

There's always plenty of time to grab a drink and get settled before the event starts too and we always stick around for a few more once it's over as inevitably that is always when the real debating begins.

If you have any questions or need any more information, do not hesitate to email us at central.debating@gmail.com.

Getting there:

If you would like to watch this debate, then simply come along on the night. You will find us in the upstairs dining room of the Harcourt Arms pub at 32, Harcourt Street W1H 4HX (a max 1o min walk from Baker St tube). For directions, see this map.

Admission:

Admission is, as ever, totally free of charge. All are welcome, so if you know anyone who might be interested in this debate, do feel free to bring them along.

Further reading:

Background:

1) Plan to bring clocks forward permanently (BBC)
2) The history of Daylight Saving Time (National Maritime Museum)
3) Public opinion poll on keeping British Summer Time all year (Pelican PR)
4) Russia abolishes Daylight Saving Time - RT News


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