MP highlights virtual tours of Parliament for residents

WHILE Parliament remains closed to non-essential visitors, Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley is urging school groups and constituents to learn about members’ work and visit the Palace of Westminster remotely.

Throughout the Autumn term, Parliament’s Participation Team are offering a range of online tours, talks and school workshops that are available for constituents to book free of charge.

Pilot sessions over the summer have seen more than 1,000 school children participate in workshops, 700 people tune in to specialist talks and over 3,000 people attend virtual tours.

Daily online, interactive workshops are available for schools and home education groups, for pupils aged seven to 18. The sessions cover an introduction to how the UK Parliament works, how laws are made and the role of MPS and Peers.

Specialist talks and virtual tours of the Palace of Westminster are also available where a live presenter guides attendees through several rooms including the House of Commons chamber, sharing the history of UK democracy and the work of Parliament today. These virtual tours also include a 15-minute question and answer session.

Mrs Bradley, right, said: “I have been organising coach trips to Parliament for many years and sadly these cannot take place at the moment due to the Covid-19 situation.

“I would urge people to sign up for these virtual visits to see just what a very special place I have the privilege to represent you in.”

To book, schools can select a date and time by visiting: https://learning. parliament.uk/en/session-workshop/ primary-school-online-workshop/

For specialist talks and tours, please visit: https://www.parliament.uk/ visiting/visiting-and-tours/onlinetalks-and-events/

Meanwhile, Mrs Bradley has also launched her 2020 Christmas card competition.

It comes following the success of her NHS Poster competition earlier this year.

The winning entry will be sent to many politicians during the festive season, including the Prime Minister.

The competition is open to children aged 11 and under who live in Staffordshire Moorlands and the theme is “Christmas in the Moorlands”.

The Moorlands MP said: “I was absolutely delighted to receive so many entries for my NHS Poster competition earlier this year and know that Councillor Sybil Ralphs had a tough job judging the winner.

“I am hoping to receive lots of lovely designs for my Christmas Card Competition which Councillor Ralphs has kindly agreed to judge again.

“The winning design will be sent electronically to other politicians including the Prime Minister as well as local leaders, colleagues and friends.”

Entries for the competition should be emailed as a photo to karen.bradley. mp@parliament.uk.

Entries should also include the full name, age and school of the entrant as well as a parent’s name, address and phone number with written consent for the photo to be used, on Karen’s Christmas card as well as on social media and in the press.

The closing date for entries is Friday, October 23.

Judging will take place at the end of October and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards.