Justin with the the Clerk and the Queen
Justin Tomlinson MP recently visited Haydonleigh Primary School in Haydon Wick 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 and financial education for young people, even dropping in a pretend campaign on longer school holidays to keep them on their toes.
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 Haydonleigh Parliament eventually passed a Bill that called for extra sport every week in schools.
The Clerk then had to take the Bill to the 'Queen' who happily granted it Royal Assent.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "It was great to be able to come to Haydonleigh 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."
