Denbigh School has been crowned winner of the MP's Parliamentary Debate Competition.
The local MPs, Ben Everitt and Iain Stewart, run the competition, giving students the opportunity to gain debating experience and to encourage engagement in politics from young people.
Following three rounds, Denbigh and the Radcliffe School finished top of the Milton Keynes South and Milton Keynes North constituency league tables.
The two schools then went head to head at a grand final hosted in the Grand Committee Room in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament.
The motion debated at the final was "Following the AI Safety Summit hosted at Bletchley Park, this House would like to move the motion that artificial intelligence is more of an opportunity than a threat to residents of the United Kingdom", with Denbigh selected to argue in favour and Radcliffe against.
All schools who had participated in this year's competition were invited to join the finalists in Westminster to watch the proceedings before being given a tour of Parliament by Ben Everitt MP and Iain Stewart MP.
The judging panel for the final included Julie Mills, Chair of Women Leaders UK and former CEO of MK College, Michelle Smyth, from the Open University, Sean Rose from the Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce, Cat Moore, from the Stables MK, Leon Whitting, the Member of Youth Parliament for Milton Keynes North and Prayksha Hegde, the Member of Youth Parliament for Milton Keynes South.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said: "The school debates competition is always one of the highlights of my year as the level of debating is always so impressive and respectful and I want to congratulate Denbigh School on winning this year's competition.
"It was fascinating watching the final and seeing just how much research had gone into the debate by both Radcliffe and Denbigh and I was really impressed by the interventions from either side and the confidence the showed when even MPs get nervous before a big speech.
"I also want to thank all of our judges from the Open University, the Stables, Women Leaders UK, the Chamber of Commerce and our Members of Youth Parliament for giving up so much of your time as we just wouldn't be able to give the students this fantastic opportunity without you.
Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, commented: “I always look forward to hosting the finalist schools with Ben Everitt MP in Parliament for the Grand Final of our School Debate Competition.
“It was a fascinating debate between Denbigh School and Radcliffe School about the opportunities and threats artificial intelligence brings to the UK, congratulations to Denbigh School for being crowned winners.
“I would like to thank all the judges who gave up their time to preside over the debates and well done to all the schools who participated in the competition.”
