THE OPENING heat of the first round of the Courier/CIOBS Junior Schools Debating Competition was held last night at Grove Academy, Dundee. The motion was that this house believes that nuclear power is a more sustainable form of power for the future than that provided by wind farms.

In proposition were Rona Leese and Liusaidh McClymont from Dundee High School, Ryan Kelly and Dexie Alexander of St Saviour’s High School, and Colin Jamieson and James Anthony of Grove Academy. For the opposition were Anna McDonald and Jihan Anderson of Lawside Academy, Stephanie Mellor and Faye Hill of Craigie High, and Rebecca Low and Olivia Walesby of Harris Academy.

The main proposition arguments focused on the sustainability of nuclear power and the weakness of wind power—summed up neatly by Colin Jamieson who said, “We cannot live under the hippy tree-loving false hope of wind power.”

The main arguments of the opposition were the dangers of nuclear waste, and the fact that wind is a renewable resource—as Jihan Anderson said, “What could be a better source of energy than one that never runs out!”

The motion fell by 36 votes to 12 with 11 in abstention. After a tortuous judging session the teams to go through were Dundee High School, St Saviour’s High and Grove Academy.

The judges were Mr Donald Gordon of Blackadders Solicitors, Dr Catherine Smith of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Miss Catriona MacInnes, features editor of The Courie, and Miss Kirsty Russell, school secretary of the University of St Andrews Union Debating Society.