On Monday 2nd March 22 A Level Politics students travelled to Methodist Central Hall in Westminster for a day of politics in the big smoke. The PolEconUK Conferences are designed for Sixth Form A Level and IB students and this particular event featured a line up including Zack Polanski, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and Alistair Campbell.
Head of Politics and Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Dr Richard Duckett, commented: “Another fabulous conference kicked off with Green Leader Zack Polanski, followed by Reform, My Party, Conservative, Lib Dem, Alistair Campbell and finishing with Wes Streeting for Labour. There were books for sale by the MPs/speakers, so students got to meet, take photos with, and to take home signed copies. It is always a great atmosphere and students came back ‘pumped’ from their experience. I’ve just provisionally booked tickets for next academic year!”
Richard reflected on the students experience noting that Sam (Upper Sixth) asked the Reform London Mayoral candidate a question, whether her party would work with Tommy Robinson – which she side-stepped! Tom (Upper Sixth) was shocked that Zack Polanski made errors in his speech including some factual inaccuracies. Zarah Sultana of My Party had a lot in common with the Green Party, but said she couldn’t see them joining together for the progressive vote. Wes Streeting was impressive compared to other speakers, and it was obvious why he is being touted as a potential successor to Starmer.
Riordan (Lower Sixth) who is currently studying Politics, Business and Psychology A Level was delighted to have the opportunity to engage first hand with the names he so regularly hears on the news. “The trip to the PolEcon conference was a fantastic experience for everyone who went. Not only was it politically charged, but it made us really think about our beliefs, values, and the world beyond school. We had the chance to take notes during the event, I know some of my classmates almost filled their notebooks! I really enjoyed watching the contrasting views being debated and the questions being asked – especially when my classmate Sam asked the Reform representative, Laila Cunningham, an interesting question surrounding political affiliations, that provoked an even more interesting response. I think that having the chance to directly interact with figures who seemed so significant was very good for our studies, our knowledge, our growth, and the world beyond school! It was overall a very excellent, entertaining and engaging day for all there!”
The following Monday, 9th March, the Sixth Form Politics students were again provided with a direct connection to live politics, this time through the ‘Learn with the Lords’ scheme. The initiative puts a peer in contact with a group of students over Zoom and our young politicians were lucky enough to meet Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle. Baroness Bennett is a Green peer and the author of ‘Change Everything: How We Can Rethink, Repair and Rebuild society’. Richard commented: ” These ‘Learn with the Lords’ sessions have all been excellent. I think this is number eight, and we have never had a Lord; it’s all been Ladies! It was interesting to talk to a peer who does not believe in the House of Lords – rather like a turkey voting for Christmas! Our students had a raft of questions ready from her views on polygamy to why the Greens aren’t popular in Northern Ireland; from the leadership of Zack Polanski to her views on economics and party funding. Baroness Bennett was brilliant and we learned a lot, not least that her one word to describe the House of Lords is ‘strange’!”
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