A look inside the politics society's tipsy question time.

On Wednesday the 14th of May, Lancaster University Politics Society hosted the final tipsy question time of this academic year. Given how important this event was for those involved in university politics, all of us at The Bailrigg Times felt it was worth covering what occurred at this final question time.

For those unaware, tipsy question time is an event ran by the Lancaster University Politics Society. It involves all the major political party societies, those being the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and the Greens. Each of these societies nominate one of their members to speak on a certain topic, usually decided amongst themselves and the politics society. The topics that are looked at generally either relate to developments in the political world, or a more broad, philosophical issue. Typically, four motions are discussed. The event is held each term and is a great forum for bringing students of differing political persuasions together, while encouraging healthy debate.

The various speakers are given the opportunity to open with a defence of their position. Following this, the speakers then get the opportunity to cross-examine one another. This is then followed by an opportunity for members of the audience to ask questions to those on stage.

The first motion put to debate was one examining the record of the incumbent Labour Government. The motion aimed to determine whether the government's record has thus far been a success or a failure. Many topics were brought up, including the winter fuel payments and recent trade deals, as to name two examples. Debating such current events marked an appropriate opening to the evening.

The second motion concerned April's Supreme Court decision concerning the definition of sex under the Equality Act of 2010, and the consequences this ruling will have. The symbolic impact of the judgment versus the impact the ruling will have on the law was the overarching theme of this discussion.

The third topic that was discussed was concerning whether the Roman Catholic Pope should play a prominent role in the international political scene. This, of course, was inspired by the election of Leo XIV as Pope in the week prior to tipsy question time. Pope Leo is the first American to ascend to the papacy. With the current surge in the numbers of young people exploring Catholicism, this debate was especially fitting. While it was intense at times, especially as there was some heckling from a few members of the audience, it was still an engaging discussion to participate in.

Finally, the evening ended with a motion examining the rise of the Reform UK party, with the speakers analysing the reason for that party's surge in popularity, and what impact they will have on British politics going forward. The representatives pondered whether the rise of Reform demonstrates an end to the two-party system we are used to. This was a particularly pressing matter, given the recent local council election results.

To conclude, the event was tremendously fun as usual, and all of us at The Bailrigg Times are looking forward to attending future tipsy question times, in the coming academic year. We wish to convey many thanks to the politics society for making such an event possible, and we also want to thank all the speakers who contributed, as well as those who showed up and listened to what people had to say.