Patrons:
Earlier this year we announced that the former Prime Minister, Rt Hon Gordon Brown had consented to be a Patron of the Trust. We are pleased to report that the following have also agreed to become Patrons: former Speakers of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow and Rt Hon Baroness Betty Boothroyd, and former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Lord Campbell of Pittenween. [Since this announcement the former Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, has been added].
Educational activities:
In October Nicholas Bennett (Conservative MP for Pembrokeshire 1987-1992) and Derek Wyatt (Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey 1997-2010) participated in a conference for year 13 Criminology students at the Ursuline College, an 11-19 Academy in Westgate, Kent. The speakers described how laws are made and how MPs can influence change.
In November, Dr Edmund Marshall (Labour MP for Goole 1971-1983) and Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay 1997-2015) visited “Model Westminster, Exeter”, a student society at Exeter University to talk about the role of MPs and the working of Parliament.
A programme is also being planned with Brunel University in London. Two sessions have been confirmed and another two are in the pipeline.
In December Tim Janman (Conservative MP for Thurrock 1987-1992) and Tom Levitt (Labour MP for High Peak 1997-2010) are leading a session for students at Brunel on party politics after the EU Referendum – looking at ways in which Brexit may have challenged and essentially re-shaped the way voters support parties. In January, Nicholas Bennett (Conservative MP for Pembrokeshire 1987-1992) and Sylvia Heal, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons (Labour MP Mid Staffordshire 1990-1992 & Halesowen and Rowley Regis 1997-2010) will be leading a session on the role of Members of Parliament and the functions of MPs as both legislators and representatives of their constituencies. The session will also examine the role of MPs in representing under-represented/minority groups.
Further sessions on the role of the Civil Service and campaigning and elections are planned for 2020.
The Trust is in discussions with other Universities in England and Wales and is hopeful of a breakthrough in Scotland, working with the newly formed Scottish branch of the Association of Former MPs. In November, one of our members, Iain Luke (Labour MP for Dundee East 2001-2005), took part in a parliamentary outreach event at Dundee University with a sitting MP from the Scottish National Party.
Note: Where a party affiliation is shown, this reflects the party affiliation at the time of service as a Member of Parliament and may not reflect current party affiliation.
PARLIAMENTARY OUTREACH TRUST 