Schools battled it out to win a debating competition organised by Watford’s MP at the Houses of Parliament.

Richard Harrington held the seventh Watford Inter-School Debating Cup on Friday February 23.

Teams of students from years 10 to 13 took part from Watford Boys Grammar, Parmiter’s, Bushey Meads, Watford UTC, Kings Langley, Rickmansworth School, St Clement Danes and Queens’ in Bushey.

Some of the debating topics included climate change, social media censorship, Donald Trump and whether the monarchy should be abolished.

In the final, students at Queens’ and Kings Langley debated the motion ‘This House believes that social media sites should be subject to censorship’, with Queens’ arguing for the proposition and Kings Langley opposing it.

Queens’ went on to win the trophy, along with tea in Parliament with the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow MP and £150 of amazon vouchers.

Speaking about the event Richard Harrington said: “I am always so impressed at the quality of these debates and the effort the students put into the competition, and this year was no exception.

“I know the judges found it so hard to choose between the finalists as both teams were fantastic. All eight schools did themselves proud today.

“This is a real highlight of my year and I’m already looking forward to next years. I think it’s so important to engage young people with politics and debating is a great way of gaining confidence and public speaking experience.”

Mr Harrington was joined by Oliver Dowden, the MP for Hertsmere, and Lord Maurice Glasman chaired the debates which were held in Parliament.

Other judges included Lord Daniel Finkelstein of The Times, Victoria Birch of the Watford Observer, Herts Education Cabinet Member cllr Terry Douris and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Hertfordshire County Council, Frances Button.

As runners-up, students at Kings Langley has also been invited to Parliament to meet the Speaker of the House of Commons, along with Queens’.