Trip to Westminster - March 2017

Just a week after the appalling attack on the very heart of our democracy, senior members of the MUN General Assembly, the winning Debating Team, Individual Debater and the Best Dressed Team all went to Westminster to witness the Triggering of Article 50 on 29th March 2017.  The group was comprised of students from Calthorpe Park, Court Moor and Guildford County.  As we came over the bridge, we brushed past Ed Miliband before entering the Great Hall.  Immediately on the right were many touching tributes to those who were killed and injured in last week’s atrocity, together with a book of condolence that we signed on behalf of Calthorpe Park School.

Included in our visit was a fascinating tour of the House of Commons, the Palace of Westminster and the House of Lords.  We were treated to many anecdotes from our knowledgeable Tour Guide and saw some incredible artwork, the favourite being one entitled New Dawn.  New Dawn is made up of back-lit glass ‘scrolls’ representing the many people and groups involved in the votes for women movement.  The votes for women movement was often represented as a ‘tide of change’ sweeping the nation.  To reflect this, New Dawn’s lighting is linked to the tidal River Thames.  It builds from low tide, where only one disc is lit, to high tide, where the whole sculpture is illuminated.

After this we were taken to meet Ranil Jayawardena, our local MP, where he engaged the students with some lively debate that covered such diverse and wide-ranging issues as deforestation, nuclear arms and Brexit!  Attached is a link to the original letter signed by Theresa May to President Tusk triggering Article 50 and a copy of the statement made by Theresa May to the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Later on in the day, our group were incredibly fortunate to witness Prime Minster Theresa May during Prime Minister’s Question Time respond to MPs from both sides of the House.  We finished by observing the House of Lords where, on this momentous day, there was not a spare seat to be had and, unusually, no evidence of any Lords catching an afternoon nap!

If you are interested in visiting and having a tour, please see this link.

Mrs Collinson