The Debating Group will mark half a century of debates in the House of Commons with a reception this evening (24 June) in the Palace of Westminster.

The group was set up in 1974 to discuss “contentious political issues in the media and marketing fields,” and the inaugural debate took place on 16 June 1975.

Since then, 211 debates have taken place, drawing 844 speakers from multiple sectors including politics, media, marketing, law, the church and the US Embassy in London.

One notable speaker was former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who took part in a debate in 1987. Other speakers include Sir Alistair Burnett, Mary Whitehouse and Formula 1 World Champion Graham Hill. Theresa May and Jeremy Hunt are amongst those who have chaired the committee.

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Stephen Woodford, chair of The Debating Group said: “The Debating Group is a truly unique institution that is ultimately predicated on the goodwill of Parliamentarians – not least our President and Vice-Presidents, the eloquence of the speakers we attract and the dedication of its sponsoring organisations to the cause and, in particular, those who represent them on its Executive Committee.

“I would like to pay tribute to all those who have made The Debating Group the success it has been these past fifty years, not least those who founded it. I am sure they would be proud of the wide range of debates – some light-hearted, others really quite profound and important, that the Group has held in this time.

He added: “I like to think that the involvement of MPs and peers in such events are useful in alerting them to emergent issues in the media and marketing landscape. Whilst some of the debate motions are very much of their era, others have aged rather better and would not look out of place if they were debated tomorrow. I am hopeful that one of my successors as chair will be in a position to say something similar come 2075.”