Peer talks to pupils at a Borehamwood school about the House of Lords
11:50am Friday 10th February 2012 in Where I Live By Bruce Thain
Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick talking to pupils
A member of the House of Lords visited sixth form students at a Borehamwood school today, to discuss the workings of British democracy.
Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick, a life peer, talked to 60 pupils from Yavneh College, in Hillside Avenue, about how the House of Lords works and also the current issues being debated in Parliament, such as the NHS Reform Bill.
His visit was part of an educational programme organised by the House of Lords.
Lord Hastings said: “The main reason we do these talks is to not only educate young people about the workings of the House of Lords, but also to change perceptions of the house.
“The old perception of the house being full of sleepy old Lords is certainly untrue.
“I want to tell pupils what we actually do in the Lords and show them how democracy works at the upper level of Government.”
Adam Isascs, a Year 12 pupil, said: “I think the talk is really beneficial and it’s great to get a firsthand account of what Lords do in Government.”
Pupils put questions to Lord Hastings on different topics, such as the NHS Reform Bill and the proposed benefits cap in the Welfare Reform Bill, which are both currently going though the House of Lords.
Headteacher of Yavneh College, Dr Dena Coleman, said: "I think the talk is a really good way for pupils to engage with politics, and it also shows them what they can achieve in life if they put their mind to it."
Michael Hastings was created a Lord in 2005 and serves as a crossbench peer. He was also the BBC’s first head of corporate social responsibility.
