Justin Tomlinson MP with the 'Clerk' and the 'Queen'
Justin Tomlinson MP today visited Abbey Meads Primary School to talk in the school assembly about the work of Parliament and the campaigns that he has been leading.
The children then picked their favourite campaign to pass through their very own school Parliament.
Justin spoke a little on the campaigns he has championed in Parliament - school libraries, school sport, financial education for young people and encouraging young entrepreneurs.
The children then had the chance to pick their favourite, with the overwhelming winner being more school sport. One side of the room became the House of Commons, the other side the House of Lords. The Year 6s at the back became the Select Committee, carrying out the vital task of choosing their favourite sports stars and teachers to consult on their plans.
That was where the agreement stopped. The Bill, carried by the nominated Clerk, went back and forth between Commons and Lords, with both sides disagreeing on how much extra sport they wanted and the House of Lords enjoying their power to say no.
After a bit of ping-pong between the two Houses, the Abbey Meads Parliament eventually passed a Bill that called for an extra three hours of sport a week in schools. Off the Bill went, carried by the Clerk to the 'Queen', who prompted a mini constitutional crisis by saying no to the bill. After some persuasion by her special advisers, she finally accepted the Bill and gave it Royal Assent, passing it into law.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "It was great to be able to come to Abbey Meads Primary to meet the whole school and engage them in their very own Parliamentary process. I really enjoy getting the children stuck in to how democracy works and how laws are made and they all seemed to enjoy themselves! I was very impressed by their knowledge of some of the issues I am pressing on and of how Parliament works - this is a real testament to the school and its staff."
Justin was then interviewed by Abbey Meads' very own budding journalists for the school magazine over a cup of tea in the Headmaster's office.
Justin said "It was a real pleasure being interviewed for the school magazine. They had come up with some really good questions to ask and I was extremely impressed. I hope that when they are all writing for our national newspapers or presenting the news on the TV they are as keen to interview me!"
Being grilled by the school newsletter editors!
