Debate result - Thursday 07 July - This House Would make it harder to go on strike - Motion passes

Debate result - This House Would make it harder to go on strike - Thursday 07/07/11 -Motion passed by 11 votes to 7

*If you liked this, you should definitely try the City of London Cogers on Monday 11th July at the Old Bank of England pub on Fleet Street from 7pm. Their free flowing format is perfectly suited for anyone looking for an alternative to conventional adversarial debating. Several of us from CLDS will definitely be there, so friendly faces are guaranteed :)*

CLDS news roundup:

Thank you to all our speakers in Thursday's heated debate on imposing a minimum turnout requirement for strike ballots held by trade unions. The honours went to Shaughan Dolan and Olly Glover, arguing for a minimum turnout requirement for all strike ballots held by trade unions. They narrowly pipped Babs Williams and Bill Moss, whose passionate debating style won many supporters in the audience, as the motion was passed with a margin of just four votes. See below for a full summary.

Thank you also to everyone who turned up early for our AGM. A copy of the annual report is available on request, outlining our progress over the last year and our ambitions for the one ahead. Most important of all was the election of our two newest committee members, Olly Glover and Michael Worthington. Welcome to you both!

Many of you will have noticed that we have held our last three debates in as many different locations as we continued our search for a venue that could adequately accommodate our growing attendances, while remaining pleasant and easy to reach. I can confirm that following Thursday's very successful debate, our search is over and we will be holding all our forthcoming debates, for the remainder of this summer at least, in the George Pub on Fleet Street, directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice.

Best quote form this week's debate:
"Sir, you are comparing apples with pears....or cumquats with starfruits" (You know who you are)

Motion:
This House Would Make it Harder to go on Strike

Preliminary Vote:
For 9, Against 8, Abstentions 1

Policy:
There should be a 50% minimum turnout in strike ballots in order for the ballot to be considered valid.

Key arguments:

Proposition: Having strikes determined by such a small proportion of the total union membership is undemocratic, especially when it has such a big effect on ordinary people.
Opposition: In a democracy decisions are made by those who turn up. This is the case in all political elections and referenda so why shouldn't it be the case in union votes?

Proposition: Public sector workers receive very good pensions compared to private sector workers. These pensions are subsidised by the tax payer. As people are living longer these pensions will need to be reformed.
Opposition: Public sector pensions aren't as good as the proposition is making out. Even if they are that good that is the way it should be. Private sector pensions are too small.

Proposition: Strikes are a huge problem which undermine government policy and the lives of the public. This is a problem which needs to be corrected.
Opposition: We already have some of the toughest strike laws in the world. There is no need to neuter the unions any more than has already been done.

Proposition: If the public sector go on strike the public have no alternatives to switch to.
Opposition: That is one of the prices you pay to have public sector employment.

Final Vote: For 11, Against 7, Abstentions: 3

Next debate:
Our next debate will be held on Thursday 21st July at the George Pub from 7.30pm. The motion will be announced next weekend.


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