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Description

Scouts understand how debate, persuasion, voting and parliamentary procedure work – using biscuits as the subject matter.

Resources

• Biscuits:
Bourbon, Custard Cream, Chocolate Hobnob, Shortbread, Ginger Nut, Garibaldi, Jaffa Cakes (not a biscuit!), plus any extras.
• Plates or tasting trays
• Scorecards + pens/pencils
• A “Talking Object” (ceremonial spoon / scout staff / toy mace)
• Flipchart or whiteboard
• Optional: printed article on the famous Jaffa Cake tax ruling (1991)

Instructions

1️⃣ Opening & Briefing (10 mins)
• Quick explanation of Parliament Week
• Introduce tonight’s core question:
“What is the best biscuit in the UK?”
• Explain that we will:
1. Taste test
2. Judge on criteria they choose
3. Debate in a parliamentary style
4. Vote on motions

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2️⃣ Biscuit Criteria Workshop (10 mins)

Ask Scouts (in patrols or as one group):
? “What makes a biscuit great?”

Possible criteria they might suggest:
• Flavour
• Texture / crunch
• Dunkability
• Crumb control
• Value for money
• Aesthetic
• Nostalgia/heritage
• “Goes well with tea”

Write all criteria up on the board.

Each Scout picks their own top 5 criteria and builds their judging sheet.

⸻

3️⃣ Tasting & Scoring Session (15 mins)
• Scouts try small samples of each biscuit
• They score each biscuit 1–10 per criterion
• On completion, they choose their personal favourite
• Leaders circulate and ask probing questions like:
“Why did the ginger nut lose points?”
“Does dunkability outweigh flavour?”

This builds the foundation for their arguments later.

⸻

4️⃣ Prepare Parliamentary Arguments (10 mins)

Each Scout makes a short argument (20–30 seconds) supporting their chosen biscuit.

Prompts:
• “Why should your biscuit be crowned the best?”
• “What makes it superior based on evidence from scoring?”
• “What do the other biscuits get wrong?”

They can appoint:
• Spokesperson
• Backbench support
• Minister for Biscuits

(Optional for fun: Give each patrol a party name e.g., Crunch Party, United Dunkers, Biscuit Reform Movement.)

⸻

5️⃣ The Great Biscuit Debate – Parliament in Session (25 mins)

Set up the room vaguely like the House of Commons:
• Two sides facing each other
• A “Speaker” (Leader) sits at the front
• Only the person holding the Talking Object (your “Ceremonial Mace”) may speak

Rules
• Scouts must stand to speak
• Address the Speaker, not each other
• Use persuasive rather than shouty arguments
• Speaker keeps order:
“Order! Order! The Honourable Scout for Shortbread will be heard.”

Debate Structure
1. Opening Statement from a volunteer
2. Responses from supporters of other biscuits
3. Presentation of Evidence (their tasting results)
4. Cross-Examination
• Ask questions via the Speaker
5. Leader Insert – Jaffa Cake Case
Share the real case:
• 1991 VAT tribunal ruled Jaffa Cakes are cakes, not biscuits
• Scouts may now argue whether they should be disqualified
• Optional motion:
“This House believes that Jaffa Cakes should be eligible for the Best Biscuit Award.”
6. Final Statements
7. Vote on the Motion:
“This House believes that the finest biscuit in the United Kingdom is…”

Scouts stand to vote or place tokens in boxes.

⸻

6️⃣ Results & Wrap Up (10 mins)
• Announce winning biscuit
• Quick reflection:
• Did their personal favourite win?
• Did the debate change anyone’s mind?
• How does this relate to parliament, evidence and persuasion?

Close with a “Hear hear!” and some remaining biscuit treats.

⸻

Leader Notes / Optional Extras

✔ Run a whip system: some Scouts must persuade others to vote their way
✔ Introduce amendments:
“Replace ‘Chocolate Hobnob’ with ‘Shortbread’ ”
✔ Create mini committees (Dunking Standards Committee)
✔ Have an MP get “kicked out” for disorderly conduct (humorous, not harsh)

⸻

Badges This Supports
• Skills Challenge Award (reasoning, presentations, teamwork)
• World Challenge Award (understanding UK society)
• Public Speaking / Debating skill sessions

⸻

If you’d like, I can produce:
?

Tags

• biscuit
• Debate
• Parliament Week

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