Year 12 students visit the heart of British Democracy
A Day in the Heart of British Democracy: Year 12 visit to Parliament and the Supreme Court
I thoroughly enjoyed the Year 12 trip to Parliament and the Supreme Court. It was particularly fascinating to see the human touches and operations of Parliament, the rich history emanating from every wall. The Robing Room, which was lavishly decorated with murals and artwork, particularly impressed me with the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria, a VR monogram which was a mark of her role in rebuilding the Parliament building. It helped me understand the layers of history and tradition that Parliament embodies.
The Member’s Lobby just outside the House of Commons chamber was a notable memory - with four towering statues of significant prime minister figures, which made me reflect on the immense responsibilities of the Prime Minister and how their leadership affects everyone for generations. Noticing the MP’s names on the pigeonholes gave the experience some tangibility and the out of reach, disconnected politicians immediately felt so much closer than I thought before the visit.
I enjoyed observing the House of Lords chamber. It felt considerably smaller than I had expected, making the debates that I had imagined far more up close and personal. Standing in the rows I gained a new respect for the difficulty of being a Lord, the arrangement of rows gave it a confronting and exposed feel. I learnt that the emotional rigidity and magnitude of confidence required to potentially influence change in politics is understated.
The Supreme Court had a particularly striking accessibility to the public. I enjoyed the guided tour which involved sitting in court room 2 and 3, where I was able to sit in the Supreme Court Justices’ chairs. The eye level arrangement of the seating coupled with the arched bench for the Supreme Court justices to sit on gave the atmosphere an amicable and cooperative feel. We were briefed on the history of the Supreme Court and engaged in a group activity of role playing the court, which deepened my understanding of the judicial process, and allowed me to experience first-hand how justice is applied in the courts.
To finish off the day, we were fortunate enough to watch a live court case in court room 1. I absorbed the demeanour and atmosphere, understanding the pressure of having a national level impact of being a Supreme Court justice.
The day enhanced my knowledge as a politics student, developing my comprehension of the nuances of the institutions I have spent hours studying about.
Article written by Sabeer (Year 12)
