Private School News

PUPILS GET AN INSIDE VIEW OF PARLIAMENT

PUPILS studying A Level Politics at Stonyhurst College travelled to London recently to experience first hand what life is like inside the Palace of Westminster.

The pupils were greeted by Nigel Evan’s researcher (MP for Ribble Valley) who took them to a private room to observe Prime Minister’s Questions, in the House of Commons.

Afterwards, they were joined for lunch by Nigel Evens MP, in a restaurant near Westminster Hall.

During a guided tour of parliament the pupils were in awe of the magnificent architecture and richly decorated corridors, where great English monarchs from the past such as Richard I and Henry VIII, are depicted in huge portraits. This gave them a real sense of English history, as did standing in the place where Anne Boleyn and Charles I were condemned to death.

Sitting in the public galleries of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, they were again overwhelmed by the stunning opulence of the architecture and the huge amount of gold used on the ceiling and throne where the Queen sits during the state opening of parliament.

They were given a unique experience of observing the Public Accounts Select Committee, chaired by Edward Leigh MP. The pupils were fascinated to watch one civil servant being questioned about statistics. The pupils commented that as they were leaving they could still hear the shouting down the corridor!

Upon leaving the Palace of Westminster, one pupil John Messent aged 17 from Amersham was lucky enough to meet his local constituency MP. Cheryl Gillan, MP for Amersham and Chesham, is also the shadow secretary of state for Wales.

They chatted briefly before she happily agreed to pose with the pupils for photographs. Mrs. Gillan was with Nigel Evans and other MPs looking at the ‘Lightening’, a new electric car with ultra low carbon emissions. One pupil, Joey Barnett aged 17 from Blackpool, was tapped on the shoulder an asked if he wanted his photograph taken with the car. The volunteer photographer turned out to be Lord Peter Mandelson, secretary of state for business, innovation and skills!

John Messent said: “It was an unforgettable day and thanks must be given to Mr Ridout who is Head of Politics at Stonyhurst, for arranging it. Stonyhurst politics students have the opportunity of a Parliamentary ‘placement’ during their sixth form study. So perhaps some of us may be working there one day.”

CAPTION: David Ridout (left) Head of Politics at Stonyhurst and John Messent aged 17 from Amersham, present Nigel Evans MP (right) and Cheryl Gillan MP, with the Stonyhurst book.