Next debate: Question Time on the Strand - Plan B for the economy, Conference season review, and fixed term marriage contracts...

DATE: Thursday 13th October
TIME: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
VENUE: Ye Olde Cock Tavern, The Strand, EC4Y 2AA
MOTION: Question Time debate

We return to our popular Question Time format for this Thursday's debate on the Strand. We will have a panel of four speakers offering their views on three topical issues in the news this week, ranging from the headline issues to more lighthearted stories that might not have otherwise caught your attention.

You can find us in the upstairs function room of the Ye Olde Cock Tavern pub on the Strand, opposite the Old Bank of Engla...nd, which we will have to ourselves all night. Look forward to seeing you there.

This week's topics will be:

1) Plan B for the economy?

The coalition government is pursuing an economic agenda of austerity, with cuts to public sector spending and investment at the forefront of a package of measures intended to reduce our fiscal deficit. But with unemployment remaining high, private sector investment low, rising inflation and stagnant economic growth, is the time now right to consider less brutal economic medicine? What would Plan B look like, and should we stick with our current austere course, or embrace the alternatives?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9584000/9584021.stm

2) Who impressed you this year at conference?

In addition to an Indian summer and record-breaking September and October temperatures, recent weeks have offered us a veritable smörgåsbord of political debate and discourse, with all 3 of the most prominent political parties holding their annual conferences. But which parties and leaders gave the most impressive performance?

http://www.economist.com/blogs/blighty/2011/10/conference-round-up

3) Fixed term marriage contracts?

The local government of Mexico City recently decided that the best way to change their sky-rocketing divorce rate was to change the meaning of marriage. Their plan is to introduce fixed term marriage contracts, so that couples who find themselves regretting their decision simply allow their vows to expire instead of going through the acrimony of divorce. So, if marriage needn't be for life any more - just how long should it last?

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/03/world/americas/mexico-2-year-marriages/

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.

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