Professor Rebecca Robert | This House Believes Marriage is an Inherently Oppressive Institution

Video Description

Professor Rebecca Robert speaks as the second opposition for the motion in the Debating Chamber on Thursday 13th February 2025. We are delighted to announce our fourth debate of the term, on Feb 13th, 8pm: "This House Believes Marriage is an Inherently Oppressive Institution”, where we will be exploring whether the tradition of marriage has to be relinquished for feminism to continue to make progress. Ayes - 85 Abstain - 55 Noes - 163 ............................................................................................................................ Cambridge Union Society Debate Info: In The Chair: Sammy McDonald Taking the Minutes: Leonas Pausch - The Debate Motion title is always preceded in context by the phrase “This House Would”, “This Would Believes”, or simply “This House”. - The Debate motion is typically phrased in Proposition of the argument prior to any votes or speeches, regardless of controversial nature. - Six 10 minute speeches are given, alternating between each Proposition & Opposition speaker of the Debate Motion. - The Chair governs authority over interjections, time limits, and any discretions/arrangements agreed between speakers and/or CUS. - There are two ways interjections can be made by audience members; a Point of Information (upon acceptance from the speaker) or a Floor Speech. (Interjections are not to be interpreted as Audience Questions and can be denied or ignored at discretion of the Speaker or Chair) - Points of Interest cannot be made during the first & last minutes of any speech, they also must be under 30 seconds and maintain relevance. (As a result it is impractical to provide microphones for Points of Interest and apologise for any issues with audibility) - Floor speeches are made by audience members at intervals during the Debate discussing support for Proposition, Opposition or Abstention. (The Union rarely publishes Floor Speeches due to Release Form arrangements within membership contracts) - At the end of the Debate, all Speakers and audience members cast their vote as they leave the Debating Chamber through doors labelled “AYES” & “NOES”, with the central door exit representing Abstentions. - The Chair calls an announcement shortly after the Debate to confirm the votes. Full Debate: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYpyB-7KwFc7jD1LzsECFv0lcDThH_Tfx ............................................................................................................................ Thumbnail Photographer: William Blakesley-Herbert ............................................................................................................................ PROFESSOR REBECCA ROBERT A Professor of Law at the University of Exeter, Rebecca is one of the UK’s foremost experts on the history and regulation of marriage, bigamy, divorce, and cohabitation. She has authored several books, including Marriage Law and Practice in the Long Eighteenth Century and Tying the Knot: The Formation of Marriage, 1836-2020. ............................................................................................................................ SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg ............................................................................................................................ Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society