A group of 13 Lower Sixth Formers were shown around the hallowed portals of the Palace of Westminster earlier this week by MP for Bedford and Kempston, Mohammad Yasin, as part of a trip to learn about the workings of Parliament and Government. The boys, who are all studying Politics at A-Level, were able to get to grips with topics such as legislation and the UK economy, and discuss the relationship between Parliament and the Executive – all of which are requirements of their A-level course.
As Mr Yasin’s guests, the boys were able to ask questions, visit committee rooms and discuss the organisation of Parliament, whether it be in the House of Lords or House of Commons. The discussions gave the boys some great examples that could be used in their essays and Mr Yasin was able to show the boys places that not even tour guides would have been able to show them, something all the boys agreed they were very lucky to experience.
Speaking on his Facebook page after the trip, Mr Yasin wrote, “It was a pleasure to meet up with the students studying Politics A-Level at Bedford School. We had some great discussions on politics – what a treat to speak to pupils with such bright young minds.”
During the trip, the boys were able to see the House of Commons in action. They saw the Speaker on his way to open the day’s Parliamentary session and visited the main Chamber to watch Treasury questions and see an Urgent Question in process. They also sat in the Public Gallery, where they witnessed a live debate and heard Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak answer questions on the UK economy.
Tae Leepiboonsawats, one of the boys on the trip, said, “Seeing the Commons in action and various MPs debate, notably Rishi Sunak, was very informative and perhaps surprisingly enjoyable.”
Tae also went onto say, “One of the major problems UK democracy is facing currently is the low turnout of young people in elections, especially local ones. Understanding the inner workings of Parliament, how MPs are elected and their roles in parliament may help young people become less apathetic to politics.”
Politics and History Teacher, Mr Henry Vann, who supervised the trip (and is also a respected local Councillor himself), explained, “This trip was a great opportunity for the students to see how everything works – including the arrival of the Speaker, debates in the main Chamber of the House of Commons and the Committee Rooms, but an added thanks as a local teacher to Bedford and Kempston’s MP Mr Yasin who met us there and gave us a unique insight into the workings of Parliament and a bit of what it is like for MPs as well!”