On Thursday 3 March a group of ten MUN students, with Mr Lewis, Mrs Stuart and Mrs Williamson, attended a stirring debate at the Cambridge Union. Mr Lewis, being the ex Vice-President of the Union had secured us a place with what he told us would be very good seats.

On the two-hour journey to Cambridge, Mr Lewis began to instruct us as to the procedure of the Union. To our surprise he revealed that we could speak, either in making a POI (point of information), or even making a short speech in open debate! This prospect simultaneously scared and excited the group, and we were in high spirits as we arrived in Cambridge.

After a brief tour around the city, involving Mr Lewis pointing out various colleges (including an extended description of his own college, Jesus) we finally arrived at the Union building. Upon arriving the architecture was likened to the Oxford Union, which triggered Mr Lewis to insist that although the same architect designed both, Cambridge’s union was built first!

After a quick tour around the Union, we were shown to our seats, on the second floor looking down on the debate – not quite the ‘very good seats’ Mr Lewis had promised us. The opening debate was done by the students and the motion was ‘This House would prefer a strong dictatorship rather than a weak democracy’. Arguments were presented well and the four speakers were of a high standard. However ultimately it seemed that the opposition had swayed the house more, and were proclaimed the winners.

Following this there was the debate proper – the debate we had all come to see – ‘This House would prefer a nuclear Iran to war’. After a few minutes waiting we finally saw the Vice-President enter ringing a bell, with the six speakers and their guests following behind. Watching the Vice-President carry out this tradition, we sensed that Mr Lewis missed the coveted job he once had held. When the President reached her chair, she announced the speakers and the debate began.

The first four speakers, two on each side, were of a good standard and made some very good points, with the speakers coming from a top university lecturer on war to a world-class journalist. However it was clear that the members of Sevenoaks School had their thoughts focussed on the upcoming open debate between the second and third speakers, where it would be possible for us to make a speech in favour, against or in abstention of the motion. However when the moment finally, only one of the ten of us felt brave enough to raise his hand – James Weber. Unfortunately the President did not see him, and thus he did not make any short speech.

After this disappointment, the third speakers quickly lifted our mood, as both were clearly veteran speakers, as were the best of the six speakers. The House was completely split as to how to vote, as were we! As we left the hall, we asked one another if we voted Aye (in favour) or No (against) or if we were abstaining. We could tell that the result would be close. We gathered outside the bar to hear the result – announced by the Vice-President after some more bell-ringing. The ‘Noes’ won by a very small majority, and although disappointed by the result, I acknowledged that it had been a very successful and strong debate.

The whole evening was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Our thanks go to Mrs Williamson and Mrs Stuart, who together endured four hours of driving a minibus, and of course to the resolute Mr Lewis, who made the experience possible.