Matt Warman (OH 1999) speaks to Politics Soc

The Politics Society at Habs, one of the most vibrant school politics societies in the country, was delighted to welcome back to Elstree on Friday 23 September Mr Matt Warman (OH 1999) to study English at Durham University, has been Member of Parliament  for Boston and Skegness since 2015. For a number of years, he worked for The Daily Telegraph as their Technology Editor. Mr Warman is a member of the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. He chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Broadband and Digital Communication and The Parliamentary Internet, Communications and Technology Forum.

During his visit his first time back to the school in 16 years, Matt Warman caught up with a number of his former teachers including Mr Cook, Mr Hardman and Mr Bass, as well as Mr Stiff who studied at Habs in the same year as Mr Warman MP. Mr Warman stated: “Most of my memories of this place are of the games field”. Mr Ward, the Head of Mathematics was able to show the Member of Parliament, one of his Mathematics reports and Mr Judd, Second Master and Executive Head of the Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory Schools, reminisced with Mr Warman about his experiences teaching him Geography with Sixth Form.

Mr Warman’s talk to a number of students from the Boys’ and Girls’ school was entitled “After the Brexit vote, after David Cameron what’s next?” He spoke about the need for politicians to reach out beyond those normally interested in current affairs and to find ways to engage with those who are naturally disenchanted with the Westminster elite. He explained how the use of Facebook, open political meetings in pubs and arranging for speakers to visit local schools were all ways he was trying to promote political dialogue in the constituency he represents.  Arguing against a second EU Referendum, he said that while there had not been many immediate benefits from the Brexit vote, he was optimistic about the long-term direction of the UK economy and that Britain would remain a friendly, internationalist country.

Mr Warman openly expressed his warmth and admiration for the education offered at Habs Boys and the Girls’ School. His wife, Rachel, was a student at Haberdashers Aske’s School for Girls. “I would not have had either of the jobs I have had without the superb education here.” He eloquently answered for half an hour a number of questions from students about a range of technology and political issues.

The Politics Society would like to thank Matt Warman MP for returning to his former school and for giving of his time so generously.