On Friday 30 January a group of 20 Politics and International Relations students, mainly first year undergraduates, visited Parliament. The group led by Senior Lecturer Dr Mark Bennister visited  the Commons and Lords in what has become an annual tour of the Palace of Westminster. The tour as usual was facilitated by the office of local MP Julian Brazier and provided an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to view the chambers and gain an insight into the history of the palace.

The tour took place on the same day as the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s funeral which gave an interesting backdrop to the trip. With several other anniversaries taking place this year including 800 years since Magna Carta the students were able to view the banner exhibition in Westminster Hall which covers 18 themes related to the movements and moments which ‘made a difference’ in the journey to the rights and representation that are enjoyed today.