July 13: British Parliament

Our class trip today was to British Parliament where we were given a special of tour of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. http://www.parliament.uk/

The Houses of Parliament are located in Westminster Palace. This was an amazing tour, beginning with an entry into the reception area used by the Queen when she attends the House of Lords. We were then led through the Queen's Robing Room, a lushly decorated room, though a hall of portraits of Kings and Queens and into the House of Lords. It felt incredible to be standing next to the spot the Queen sits in when she is in attendance for the State Opening of Parliament. The room is decorated in red leather seating, rich wood paneling and stained glass windows. The throne area is trimmed with gold (or is it brass?). Our guide explained the procedures of the House when it is in session and how messages from the Queen are sent over to the House of Commons by messenger.

A few facts from our tour and from the brochure about the House of Lords:

• There are currently about 740 Members



• 1999 House of Lords Act- removed the right of all but 92 hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House



• The three main parties: Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat



• Peers with no party affiliation: Crossbenchers



• The Lord Speaker presides over business but has no power to control proceedings.

After walking through the central rotunda, we were led into the House of Commons. (I stopped at the statue of Winston Churchill to give it the obligatory rub on the foot.) This chamber has a simplier look to it: green leather seating and wood paneling, but lacking the ornate details of the House of Lords.

Facts about the House of Commons from our guide and the brochure:

• There is seating room for only 437 of the 646 Members of Parliament



• The room functions as a debating chamber and is known for its lively debate



• The Speaker presides over the proceding from the Speaker's Chair at the end of the Table of the House and has the duty of keeping order in debate and calling on MP's (Members of Parliament)to speak



• The government in power sits to the Speaker's right and the Oppositions sits on the left



• The House of Commons was heavily damaged during the bombing London in 1941.

We said goodbye to our guide at theWestminster Hall or Great Hall, which is the remaining section of the medieval castle. The walls date back to 1097. The Hall was the site of several famous trials in British history, including the trial of Thomas More. It has hosted several exhibits in recent years, and offers an exhibit of the history of the slave trade and the anti-slavery movement in England in honor of bicentenary of the British Parliamentary abolition of the slave trade.

Took lots of pictures of Big Ben!!