On October 21st, Balcarras History and Politics department took a group of 30 Year 13s for a day at Parliament, including a tour of the Palace of Westminster and a workshop in the afternoon.

We were treated to a near perfect Parliamentary experience; the day itself was Prime Minister‘s Questions and also coincided with the state visit of the Sultan of Oman (unfortunately, he insisted on taking all the tickets to PMQs…). As a result, Parliament was alive with activity, and we were privileged enough during our tour to have the chance to watch the Speaker’s Procession into the House of Commons, even receiving a wink and a nod from Sir Lindsey himself.

Having concluded our guided tour, we then undertook a workshop that had the students creating their own political campaign, allowing the Year 13s to showcase their excellent political knowledge and (wildly varying!) perspectives. As the prospective campaigners were concluding their pitches, we were joined by our sitting MP, Max Wilkinson, who I doubt has had a tougher grilling whilst in the Palace of Westminster. 

Questions to Max ranged from his relationship with outgoing Cheltenham MP, Alex Chalk; verbal jostling with Conservative defector Robert Jenrick; and how he balances expertise, conscience and personal opinion when voting on a range of issues in Parliament.

A quick lunch down Whitehall concluded our visit, and not even the torrential rain could put the dampeners on what had been a brilliant day in the historic seat of British democracy.