L6th Politics Trip to Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament

On Tuesday January 9, a group of Lower Sixth Politics students visited Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament to learn more about the United Kingdom executive and legislature. The day started with a walking tour, guided by Mr Clark, of Parliament Square and Whitehall, where the boys learned more about the history and on-going activities of the UK government.

The boys received a tour of the Houses of Parliament from the Parliamentary Education Unit, including Westminster Hall, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. They also took part in a workshop on Debating and Laws, learning more about how laws are passed in the UK and what influences their drafting and amendment. Jack Lewy (OH 2014) and Christopher Howarth (OH 2011), both of whom are researchers for MPs, kindly gave of their time to tell the boys about the nature of their work.

In the afternoon, the group saw an urgent statement by the Secretary of State for Justice from the Commons Gallery, followed by questions, and watched the Commons Backbench Business Committee.  We would like to thank the Houses of Parliament for allowing us to see the work of UK democracy up close.