Politics students see 'history in the making' on London trip

The College’s Politics students witnessed ‘history in the making’ during their trip to London where they visited the country’s most iconic and important legal and political landmarks.

Forty budding politicians made the journey down to the capital to visit the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, and witness parliamentary debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Students at the Supreme Court

There was even time during the trip for a spot of tourism in some of the most popular destinations in the city.

The timing of the visit could not have been better, with the Supreme Court dealing with a crucial legal argument that affects our privacy in what’s been called the ‘Snoopers’ Charter’. If that wasn’t enough, the debate in the House of Commons saw the Prime Minister being called to question over the G20 summit and the word on everyone’s lips – Brexit.

Leader of the trip, Politics teacher Jane Cavanagh, said: “We could not have asked for a better day. Getting to see a landmark case on the legality of the Investigatory Powers Act in the Supreme Court was incredible, and we got great timing for our House of Commons visit as well, where we witnessed a debate with Theresa May answering questions about the G20 Summit followed by a report by the Attorney General about releasing the full legal advice on the EU Withdrawal Bill.”

MP for Birkenhead Frank Field held a Q&A session with students. Holly Higgins (left) is a former College student who now works as a Parliamentary Aid.

Jane continued: “We then met Member of Parliament for Birkenhead, Frank Field, for a question and answer session, and it was fantastic to meet up with one of our former students, Holly Higgins, who is now the Parliamentary Assistant for Alison McGovern. Holly took us for a guided tour through Westminster Hall.

“Some students got to watch a debate in the House of Lords while others also got to meet veteran maverick Labour MP Dennis Skinner and Jacob Rees-Mogg."

Students with Dennis Skinner MP

“We were so lucky that we got to witness history in the making. In all, it was a very exciting day.”

Second year student Jack Fitzpatrick added: “Going to the Supreme Court was a memorable experience which I will never forget. The case was absolutely fascinating. It was about privacy under the Human Rights Act - my favourite topic.”

The trip was topped off with a go on the London Eye, some sightseeing at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street and the Christmas lights in Oxford Street.

For more on studying Politics at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.