Reviewing my photograph file, I realised I had a picture of some of the British Politics and Legislative Studies (BPLS) students who were on placement at Westminster this past year, seen here attending a seminar. They include some of the students who used their spare time to create a campaign. A number, quite a large number, were so opposed to the plans for an elected second chamber that they formed their own organisation Lords Effective Not Elected and used social media to put the case against election.
They are not the only BPLS students who have shown initiative in creating organisations. One student on placement the previous year realised there was no organisation within Westminster for members and staff with disabilities, so took the lead in creating such a body. ParliAble was launched at a reception in the Speaker’s State Rooms – the Speaker is president of the organisation - and is now an established part of the parliamentary landscape, organising a range of events. Members of ParliAble were also present when the Paralympic flame visited Westminster.
It rather sets a high benchmark for future students!
Not just the BPLS students, some of the former WHIPs were helping out too (you never truly leave parliament). When Clegg got torpedoed in the commons I was kind of disappointed, would have been a fun campaign.
Sam Hargreaves: Excellent. In that case, it should read BPLS/WHIP students.
For non-Hull readers, WHIP (Westminster-Hull Internship Programme) students are on placement for one semester, whereas BPLS students are on placement for the year.
Further addendum: Some WHIP students enjoy Parliament so much that they decide to concentrate on it once they leave university. Needless to say, I didn’t continue War and Security Studies in my Msc . . . .
In my day, I’m sure that your seminars drew bigger crowds – or perhaps we were just in smaller rooms.