Politics students voice their opinions at Westminster Committee inquiry

This week saw our Politics students travel to the capital to visit to Westminster.

The trip coincided with the House of Lords Built Environment Committee’s inquiry on high streets in towns and cities, for which our pupils were invited to join a workshops so that they could voice their opinions on how our local high street could be improved.

Two pupils that attended, Dickie T (O, LVI) and Freddie A (O, LVI) have written about their trip to Westminster.

“On a brisk morning at 7:20am, we set off for London-town from behind KH.

“To begin with, after our first brush of many with airport-style security, we visited the UK Supreme Court. We were shown around Court Room 2 and enjoyed putting a physical place to the name we have studied so much. After being ushered around the aggressive St George’s Day marches, we went to see No. 10 Downing Street. We peered through the gates and got a glimpse of the famous No. 10 Downing Street door but alas no sight of the PM.

“After our next experience of airport-like security we donned our headphones from the Education Centre for Parliament and received a tour of the Houses. This included the great Westminster Hall where the Queen lay in state for the public to view after her death, where Henry VIII played tennis, where King Charles I faced charges of high treason and where Nelson Mandela addressed the House of Commons.

“During this tour, we spent some time in the public gallery of the House of Commons, where Matt Hancock delivered a 10 Minute Rule Motion on neurodivergent conditions. He was then fortunate to meet some of us afterwards in the Central Lobby for a brief chat. Continuing with the tour, we saw where the Suffragettes fought for Women’s Rights which made the following workshop on the extremities we would go to protect our rights seem particularly pertinent.

“With our local MP, Daniel Kawczynski, for the school’s constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham unable to join us we were grateful to one his staff for meeting with us. As a group, we offered some tough scrutiny and insightful advice which he responded to ably.

“Finally we moved on, via our final brush with security to the House of Lords Select Committee.  We had been invited to offer oral evidence to the House of Lords Built Environment Committee on, ‘High streets in towns and small cities.’ We answered questions on how to improve our high streets and got an insight into the political process of a Select Committee and the job of Lords on said Committees.

“Overall, it was an excellent day of fascinating politics and we would recommend it to anyone interested in Government and Politics.”