I have previously blogged about this year constituting the 25th anniversary of the Hull University parliamentary placement scheme. Last night, we held a reception in the River Room of the House of Lords to celebrate the anniversary. There was a magnificent turnout, graduates packing the room. Several of those mentioned in my earlier post were present for the occasion.
The picture shows me introducing the Lord Speaker, Baroness D’Souza (stood on the right). She was followed by Baroness Bottomley, the University’s Chancellor. I concluded by reflecting on how the programme has changed over the past quarter century, becoming more extensive, not only in numbers but also in terms of programmes (BPLS, WHIP and LLS) and being characterised by what I termed the three i’s – induction, integration and investment.
It was an excellent evening, but it was not the only event we shall be arranging to mark the anniversary. We shall be holding a reception in the New Year in Hull. This will not only be for existing students on the placement programmes, but also for those graduates who would like to return to Hull, not least to see how the city and the campus have changed. We shall be announcing more details shortly.
The Norton View 
LN, when watching proceedings from the HOL I have not seen the usually active peer Baroness Sharples is she ill or on leave of absence?
Tory boy: I gather she has been ill.
Tory boy: I am pleased to report that she is back in the House.
What a beautiful room that is, it makes a nice picture. Pity the painting above the speaker was overtaken by light.
maude elwes: It is a magnificent room. What the picture does not show is that it is magnificently appointed, overlooking the Thames. I may post more pictures in due course.
That would be a very pleasing gesture, LN. How kind of you. I look forward to seeing them all.
Do placement students get Parliamentary Passes?
I *hated* interning for an MP on a visitor pass. Being unable to get in and out of a workplace unaided or even buy a lunchtime coffee unaided did get a bit infantilising after a while. I had immense difficulty reaching a male lavatory via the Sports and Social armed with only a visitor pass!