On Monday 13 January, our Year 12 politics students visited Westminster to gain a valuable insight into how the British Parliament operates.
The day began with a guided tour around Parliament – starting with the Great Hall (which is the oldest part of the Palace, dating back to the 1300s) and ending with a visit to both chambers. From this, the students were able to appreciate the differences between the House of Lords and the House of Commons. They also witnessed the ennoblement of Baroness Nicky Morgan and Lord Zac Goldsmith in the House of Lords.
At midday, the students met their local Labour MP, Matt Western, for a lunchtime Q & A session and talked with Matt’s Parliamentary Assistant, Jamie Sweeney (an ex-Myton student) who described how he ended up working for Matt Western. They then moved to the Lords Lobby, where they observed the Lords Procession, and then into the spectators’ galleries to see the Lords and the Commons in debate.
Finally, they met up with Richard Keen (Myton 2010) who is now a senior researcher in the Commons Library. Richard shared his journey from Myton Sixth Form to the Palace of Westminster. He also told the students what his work involves and the thrills of working in such an important environment. There is no doubt that all the students gained an increased level of understanding and appreciation for the ‘Mother of all Parliaments’, with the added bonus of meeting two ‘old’ Mytonians whose place of work is now the Palace of Westminster!