Weymouth College visits Parliament
South Dorset MP, hosts visit to Parliament, by Weymouth & Portland Chamber & Weymouth College
The Royal Robing room, the Division Lobbies and the green benches of the commons all featured in a tour of the Palace of Westminster when a party of members and guests from Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce and students and staff from Weymouth College visited the Houses of Parliament on Monday 21st November.
Leaving Weymouth by coach, the group were met at Westminster by guides who showed them both the red benches of the Lords and the green of the Commons while explaining much of the history and traditions of both houses.
After the official tour the group was welcomed by South Dorset MP, Richard Drax who explained the work of an MP before inviting questions.
Topics ranged from Britain’s future after Brexit, affordable housing, business rates and a tantalising glimpse of what might be in the Chancellor’s autumn statement.
Michelle Hind, President of the Chamber, said: “This tour was a brilliant demonstration of the role of the Chamber of Commerce.” “Not only fostering links between local businesses and education, but proving a platform to enable businesses to engage with our elected representatives”
James Foster, Head of School of Academic Development and Professional Studies, Weymouth College, said. “Today was a great opportunity for 19 of our Law, Politics and international students to visit the Houses of Parliament and see first-hand the working chambers and corridors of British politics. The Q&A session with Richard Drax MP was a fitting finale to the visit with Richard giving the students a short insight into his own path into politics and the likely opportunities and career paths for those looking to pursue a career in government and politics in the future.
“The students all thoroughly enjoyed the day and just wished they could have spent even longer at the UK Parliament.”
Richard Drax MP said: “It was a great pleasure to meet chamber members and students from Weymouth College. We had a most enjoyable, 60-minute Q&A session after their tour of the Palace of Westminster and the questions ranged far and wide. Rather appropriately, we held the session in Westminster Hall itself, one of the two debating chambers in the House, and that added to the atmosphere.”
Image Richard Drax MP with the party from Weymouth & Portland Chamber and Weymouth College on the steps of the great hall. credit David Morphew
Notes for Editors:
The Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers from businesses and other organisations in the area. It has been operating for almost 90 years and has over 120 members.
The Chamber organises one of the largest networking breakfasts in the area, attracting between 40 and 80 people each month, ten times per year. It also arranges a variety of social and business events during the year.
The current President is Michelle Hind of Redferns Solicitors.
For more information visit the Chamber website www.wpchamber.co.uk, email [email protected] or telephone Guy Bridge, Administration Manager, on 07730 135973.
For more information on Weymouth College contact Julia Cohen, [email protected]
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