Two visiting Old Elizabethans narrowly defeated the Sixth Form pair who proposed the motion, This House would rejoin the European Single Market, at The 59th Annual Elizabethan Union Dinner Debate.
The OE debating duo, Anish Kumar and Shubh Rathod (both 2017–2024), argued that the point was not to relitigate the 2016 referendum, but to recognise that the world has moved on, with Europe left behind, and that, therefore, there could be no going back.
In an evening packed with tradition, Year 13’s Sejal Bobba and Shreyas Chandrasekar proposed the motion. The 2025 School Captain, Simardeep Sahota, toasted the visitors, while Shubh gave the toast to the Elizabethan Union – QE’s debating society. There were also the customary toasts to His Majesty, The King and to The Pious Memory of Queen Elizabeth I.
The Dinner Debates began in the early 1950s. After not being held for around ten years, they were revived in 1985. Further cancellations were occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sejal began this year’s debate by noting that the Single Market is not the same as the European Union, since a participating country is not required to be in the customs union. Rejoining the single market would benefit the economy to the tune of £80–£90bn.
Anish, however, stated that having another referendum would reopen old problems, not least in Northern Ireland. The world is not moving towards Europe, but away from it, with other European countries and their economies struggling.
Shreyas urged looking to the future, not the past. Free movement would deal with labour shortages in the UK, and would help Europe, too. Since allies beyond Europe have become less reliable, we should stand with the European countries, he said.
Shubh, however, countered that leaving was difficult enough, so rejoining would be on unfavourable terms. He cited the significant amount the UK had to pay to rejoin the Erasmus scheme as a cautionary example. Our independence is helpful in giving the UK a measure of freedom in geopolitics and defence, and he noted the downsides of free movement in the context of refugee crises and instability.
A lively floor debate followed, during the course of which the proposers noted that net migration increased substantially after Brexit.
With an AI revolution looming, some of the sixth-formers present pointed to the way in which Britain leveraged its independence during the Industrial Revolution to its huge advantage, warning that making an economic commitment to Europe would compromise its ability to work effectively with economic giants including the US, China and India.
Others, however, stated that it is not possible to negotiate in good faith with the current leadership of the USA, or pointed to the ineluctable fact of continental Europe’s geographic proximity, with well over 40% of the UK’s import and exports still taking place with Europe.
The vote came down to a wafer-thin margin, with the motion defeated.
The pupils and OEs enjoyed a three-course dinner with a vegetarian option for the main course and sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel for dessert.
Yash was named Laureate after his speech on Education for all impressed judges at the inaugural Sovereign Minds SPEAR Oratory Prize Grand Final held at Church House in Westminster.
Headmaster Neil Enright said: “My hearty congratulations go to Yash on this very notable success. At QE, we are committed to promoting oracy and to nurturing deep thinkers and compelling communicators. Public-speaking competitions provide an excellent opportunity to develop such qualities, and Yash, Laksh and Vyom are to be commended on taking full advantage of this one.”
Laksh, also speaking on Education for All, considered how education can tackle issues such as health and climate change. Laksh explained why he entered the competition: “Firstly to improve my own confidence in writing and giving a speech – and it’s an opportunity to learn more about the topic.”
The other SPEAR targets are: