In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the first British intercollegiate debating tour of the United States when three members of the Oxford Union launched their expedition at Bates College, the British national team will return to compete against Bates, kicking off a nationwide tour.

Beginning in the 1960's, according to Robert Branham, associate professor of rhetoric and debate coach at Bates, Americans began to participate in free, extemporaneous debate, and within the last five years, the British style of parliamentary debate has become the most popular form in the United States. "They're truly public debates rather than technical ones," Branham said. "They tend to be more lively, with heckling from the audience."

Speaker of the House for this year's contest will be Charles Radcliff, Bates class of 1950, was a member of the first U.S. National debating team. Representative Assembly president Liam D. Clar '98 will debate for Bates with senior Jennifer V. Clark, vice president of the debate council.

Following the Bates debate, the British team, represented by Dan Neidle, 24, and Andrea Sloan, 22, will continue their two-month tour throughout the United States, including stops in Boston, New York, and California.