The Great Debate 2023: Speeches
Published: 15th May 2023
The 2023 Great Debate final was held on 25 March at the Vicars' Hall, Windsor Castle. The question for young people to address was:
“Why does history matter to me?”
Across the course of the day the judges and audience listened to talks on the personal experiences of finalists’ relatives in the past; important social movements such as Women’s rights and battles against racism; the impact of empire and colonialism; key figures from history, including scientists and social campaigners; key events from across the globe such as the Algerian war of independence, the recent World Cup final, the war in the Ukraine and the Spanish Civil War.
Watch all the finalists' speeches on these pages.
- Winner - Lucy Williams - Cheadle
- Xandriana Watson - Runner Up - East London
- Ella Saxton - Runner Up - Chichester
- William Wale - Runner Up - Leicester
- Catherine Saunders - Highly Commended - Bristol
- Blake Low - Highly Commended - Bloxham
- Rowan Ross - Highly Commended - Belfast
- Emma Bell - Broxburn
- Evie Smith - Lincoln
- Eleanor Southern - Bolton
- Jamie Bernard - Sheffield
- Arthi Vijjayamurgan - Colchester
- Katie Pangratiou - North London
- Martha Hyde - Gravesend
- Hattie Simpson - Rickmansworth
- Adam Matthews - Nantwich
- Izzy Cortizo - Exeter
- Khadija Kessaci
- Elizabeth Berg - Truro
- Yulia Kushnir - Northampton
- Sophie Collins - Shrewsbury
- Stephanie Auterson - Derby
- Alex Defterios - South West London
- Matthew Lount - Cobham
- Cianna Webley - High Wycombe
- Niamh Maloney - Gravesend
- Diya Maharaj - Esher