I wouldn’t normally post after a trip but we all had such a good time last week that I thought I’d share the day with those of you who couldn’t attend.

Some years ago my mother-in-law did a tour of the Houses of Parliament and raved about how wonderful it was. She went as a paying member of the public, during the summer when MPs were as rare as hen’ s teeth.So when I discovered that if you booked as an educational group, you could attend a workshop AND have a tour for free, it seemed too good to pass up.

The Houses of Parliament are familiar to everyone. We see them on the news all the time. I have often wondered exactly what is is that politicians do in those hallowed chambers, apart from filling expenses claims so visiting during term time was a good way to learn more.

We met at Portcullis House which is the newsest part of the Palace of Westminster. A modern glass and steel edifice with trees planted in the central atrium( see the government are green really) opened at the turn of the century for many zillions of pounds. After passing through the revolving doors and going through airport type security. You know, having your bags scanned, photos taken and ID pass produced.They did stop short of actually micro-chipping us. There was , as you might expect, a heavy armed police presence.Last time I saw that many armed police was over 20 years ago at Munich airport !

We were collected by a couple of members of staff and escorted to the room where our workshop was going to take place. We were booked to attend’Parliament Explained’ which showed how the three parts, Monarchy, Lords and Commons worked together to produce laws for the government of the land.Thankfully it was air-conditioned as Portcullis House acts in the same way as a greenhouse…

The lady leading the workshop gave us a power-point presentation then said that we were going to propose a new law and debate it. The room was set up in a similar fashion to the Chambers with rows of seating facing each other.The children decided to debate-’Should capitol punishment be re-instated for murder?’ ( so nothing controversial then !) They enjoyed standing up to adddress the speaker and calling upon their ‘Right Honourable Friends’. At the end we voted on the motion then pased it to the House of Lords where we debated it further and voted once more. It wasn’t carried !

I think the parents were probably more militant than the children !!   At the end of the session our MP Anne Milton came in for a Q&A session. We were lucky as MPs are often not in Westminster during workshops.Anne had to be because she was taking part in a debate later. The children were not at all phased by speaking with a politician ! One lad asked her what her greatest chievement, to date, was. She replied ‘Saving the RSCH from closure’. Then, in a very sweet moment, one of our younger members turned to her and said.’So Mrs Milton what do YOU think about Home Education ? Do you think it is a good idea ? Because sometimes in school the teacher’s don’t understand you’

The reply was very slick-’I think that children should be educated where they learn best’. A typical politician’s answer.She then went on to add that her sister, whilst in Niger, had taught her three children at home and that the youngest had pased 4 A levels at the age of 15years. I rest my case.

After that we went on our tour of the Houses of Parliament. Be prepared to run as the guides keep to a strict timetable and th Palace is vast. We went underneath the road, through a tunnel, pausing briefly at the door to Big Ben’s tower before rushing on, up countless flights of stairs to the House of Commons chamber. Here you have to hand all your possessions over. We crept in and sat ( behind bullet -proof glass) in the public gallery.They were debating Swine Flu-topical and actually quite interesting, although the chamber was sparsely populated. After that we were whisked off to the Central Lobby, the bit where TV journalists always film. You would come here if you wanted to ‘lobby’ your MP about something ( or indeed lob something at your MP). It is mid-way between the House of Commons and House of Lords and rather like the interior of a church.

It was here that we saw Lord Seb Coe much to the delight of one of our party !!   He kindly held the door open for her-a never to be forgotten moment. Then it was off to the House of Lords. The House of Commons was rebuilt during the 1950s whereas the Lords is far older and grander. We went in and watched their debate for a while. It was something to do with tourism in rural areas and deadly boring. I am sure I saw someone nodding off on the benches. Then it was off to St Stephens Hall which used to be a chapel during the time of Henry VIII, then we finished up in Westminster Hall. Famous for being the place for lying-in-state of deceased monarchs. Westminster Hall is the only part of the HoP where photography is permitted and it is the oldest part. Built by William Rufus, the conquor’s son, although the roof is more recent !

So there you have it, footsore and weary we made our way back home. It had been a fabulous trip, too much to take in on one visit so we will definitely be going back in the future. The Palace of Westminster is an amazing place.The history seeps out from the walls and envelopes you.

Last Modified: Monday, May 18th, 2009 @ 08:47

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