Summary: The panel debate the motion: Putin is the best hope for Russian liberalism. Chaired by Edward Lucas. Arguing for the motion are Michael Binyon, Christopher Granville and Mary Dejevsky. Michael Binyon states that liberalism is not something bestowed by a government on a people, but a much more organic process. He believes that Putin's enemies are nationalists crying out for a stronger state and that there are no opposition liberals waiting in the wings. Christopher Granville believes that legitimacy and the oligarch system are incompatible. He suggests that an individual occupying a majority position as president is by definition the best hope for Russian liberalism. Elections in Russia, he argues, are much fairer today than they were in Yeltsin's day. Mary Dejevsky suggests that elections have been free, fair and democratic under Putin. She claims that it’s the presence of the opposition which places constraints on Putin's ability to plough a reformist furrow, because this opposition comes from conservative and nationalist forces. Arguing against the motion are Dr Boris Berezovsky, Andrew Jack and Dr Alex Pravda. Dr Boris Berezovsky declares that Putin destroyed independent parliament, media and business. While he promised reform, he did not deliver it, and the people are not prepared to fight for freedom as in the UK. For Berezovsky therefore, Putin put an end to the fight for democracy in Russia. Andrew Jack believes that Putin should have stood down after his first term; now in his sixth year of rule, Putin's excuse that he has inherited such a long and difficult history is no longer viable. Though he concedes it is difficult to replace Putin, Jack feels that media centralisation has now gone too far and that parliament has become captive. Dr Alex Pravda says that while Putin is committed to modernising Russia, his attachment to liberal economic ideas is highly pragmatic. He suggests that Putin is not just illiberal and creating an authoritarian culture, but that he is also not performing well as measured by his own criteria. First Vote: 168 For, 299 Against, 265 Don't know Final Vote: 277 For, 377 Against, 98 Don't know The motion is defeated by 100 votes
