Debating Society: President

Leveraging my experiences as a Convenor and competitive member, I believe I am uniquely positioned to serve as the next President of our society. My tenure as Convenor this past year has sufficiently prepared my skills in contributing and delegating within a team. Moreover, I’ve shown a commitment to excellence during this time, introducing and leading a new competition, UCL Winter Cup. This was the most profitable tournament in the history of the society and contributed significantly during a period of financial hardship. Because of this experience, should I become President, I believe I am able to provide meaningful insight towards both interpersonal and logistical issues within the society and proactively support other committee members like the Treasurer and Convenors.  Secondly, having competed at high levels in my first year, including reaching finals at prestigious competitions and representing our university at the World Universities Debating Championships, I also understand the importance of nurturing an environment where debaters can grow competitively. If I become President, I will work closely with our Training Officers to ensure the provision of quality training, whether that be helping develop training resources or inviting prominent external debaters to lead seminars. 

I have met some of my greatest friends and made some unforgettable memories through this society, and I hope to provide the same opportunities and experiences that I had to others as well.

I am standing to restore the traditions of the society and broaden its focus beyond competitive debating. The recent neglect of their constitutional duties by the committee, especially their disregard for public debates, is highlighted by the unilateral unconstitutional dissolution of the Officer of the Mace, a committee role that highlights the society's nearly 200 year old commitment to balancing competitive debating with public debates.

My decision is driven by a recognition of the importance of public debates expanding attendee's viewpoints on current and controversial issues, as well as the importance of the schools program. These aspects, once hallmarks of our society, have been sidelined in favor of a narrow focus on competition. This not only diminishes our society's role in the broader intellectual life of UCL.

My background as a former sous-chef in hospitality management, coupled with a deep passion to revive and uphold the society's traditions for future generations, positions me uniquely to ensure and aid all committee members in their duties. I aim to revive public debates, enhance social events (particularly after the Foundation Dinner has become a mere pub social), and expand competitive debating in a meaningful and inclusive way, as it has become is very cliquey and hard to join. 

Ultimately, I stand to restore inclusivity and tradition to the oldest UCL society in a way that serves not just its members, but the UCL community and beyond.