After speaking at our Strafford Society last Michaelmas, Lord Johnson of Lainston very kindly invited a group of boys to visit the House of Lords. The trip was an excellent educational opportunity for the boys, particularly due to their interest in studying PPE at university.
Earlier this Half, five boys visited the Houses of Parliament at the invitation of Lord Johnson of Lainston.
After a brief confusion over which entrance we were meant to take, we soon struck gold, passing through security with only one item confiscated between us. Lord Johnson warmly welcomed us and wasted no time in amazing us with the majesty of the building we were in.
We were quickly ushered into the House of Lords chamber itself, with Lord Johnson eager to show us around before it was cleared ahead of a debate later that day. There, we saw the magnificent gilded sovereign throne, and each had the opportunity to stand at the dispatch box. Under Lord Johnson’s guidance, we were taught how to address the House properly, with each of us posing a question to the House in the correct ‘lordly’ fashion.
Shortly after, we were escorted out into the Lords’ corridors and the ‘Content’ and ‘Not Content’ division lobbies that flank either side of the main chamber. There, we had the chance to swipe Lord Johnson’s card on a voting machine, fortunately with no vote in progress. We then moved into the incredible Prince’s chamber. Its smaller portraits of monarchs were soon overshadowed by the glorious paintings that adorn the golden walls of the Royal Robing Room.
This is where the monarch is robed before entering the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament, which will occur just a few weeks after our visit. Here, Lord Johnson offered fascinating insight into the work of the artist William Dyce, including a vivid depiction of the legendary King Arthur embodying chivalric values such as generosity, mercy, and hospitality.
We then entered Central Lobby, the heart of Parliament linking the Commons and Lords, before proceeding into the mediaeval-era Westminster Hall. Its sheer scale and cavernous nature was striking – even to those accustomed to the height of College Chapel.
We were standing where figures such as Barack Obama; Nelson Mandela; and numerous monarchs, including the late Queen for her Golden and Diamond Jubilees, had previously stood. We heard how the hall once functioned as a communal space (not to say that the hall wasn’t packed that day with other touring parties!), where commoners could see the king, who used to reside in a room just to the side of the hall.
With the whistle-stop tour of the House of Lords and its surroundings complete, our stomachs were beginning to rumble, and so we took a not-so-quick detour to the Peers’ Dining Room for lunch. There, as we waited for our food to arrive, we engaged in a range of conversations with Lord Johnson, ranging from future aspirations to golf. At one point, he asked each of us to propose a policy change that we, the youth, would recommend, with a diversity of ideas, from planning changes to an education rejig, being given by all.
However, conversation was soon interrupted by the arrival of our dishes; our hearts sang and mouths delighted. As we were coming to the end of our meal, Lord Johnson kindly invited us to attend a committee meeting that he was chairing, which we eagerly accepted.
There, we were introduced to the incredible work that takes place beyond the main chambers of parliament, in the swathes of committee meetings and smaller discussions that occur every day. However, it must be said that one member was given a bit of a shock when he realised that he was being broadcast live on Parliament TV, as he was sitting behind one of the speakers. He then proceeded to do a one hour back exercise, impressively managing to sit with impeccable posture for the rest of the meeting.
Coming out of the committee, newly enlightened about the ins and outs of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), we reflected on a fantastic day touring Parliament, which opened our eyes especially regarding the work that goes on behind the scenes in smaller groups. However, Lord Johnson delivered one final treat before we left, taking us to the public gallery on the ground floor of the main chamber to see the House of Lords in session.
As we stepped back out into the spring sunshine, we left both reluctant to depart such a storied, magnificent place, and also immensely grateful to Lord Johnson of Lainston for giving us such a detailed and riveting tour of the building, providing us with an opportunity to experience such an enchanting setting. Thank you again to Mr Nevin-Jones for accompanying us and making this visit possible.
