On Wednesday 4th February, I had the privilege of attending the A Level Politics trip to the Houses of Parliament.

We were greeted with a guided tour that took us through the historic chambers of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. From the Gothic architecture to the rich history that surrounded us in every corridor, it was inspiring to see firsthand where so many pivotal decisions in British politics have been made.

A particular highlight of the trip was our conversation with Lord Richard Harrington of Watford, a life peer with a distinguished career in both business and public service. Lord Harrington offered thoughtful insights into contemporary political debates and answered questions on topics such as votes at 16 and proposals for regulating social media. His openness and depth of perspective made for an incredibly engaging and informative session.

We were also fortunate to witness the Speaker’s Procession ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions; a thrilling reminder of the lively democratic process in action.

Overall, the trip was not only educational but also genuinely exciting for everyone involved, especially for those of us considering future careers in politics.

Yasmin A, Lower Sixth Politics Prefect