Story: Rashida Hassanali
On Tuesday 4th May a group of twelve adult learners from the WEA Politics & Public Life course at Fir Vale School visited Parliament to find out more about how the parliamentary process works and to see for themselves what happens there. We were joined by other groups across the region involved in a WEA project to encourage citizens to ‘Take Part’.
The day included a tour of the Houses of Lords and Commons and extra detail and commentary from Helen Jackson, ex-MP for Hillsborough and tutor to the group at Fir Vale. The group were met in the Commons lobby by Richard Caborn and discussed various local issues with him. We sat in the Strangers Gallery (Public Gallery in the Commons) and watched a debate on prison reform and other MPs questions in the House of Commons.
A few of us were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the real hub of political life in the capital when we had tea with Helen in the Portcullis building where MPs work and hold meetings and meet the press. Altogether this was a fascinating day out and an important opportunity for local people to experience the parliamentary process and gain confidence to be part of it.