Many students and visitors to the UK hope to book a tour of the Houses of Parliament when they visit London, but not many get to do so in the company of a Viscount!
That is exactly what happened to our recent group of NACEL students at Kings London. A chance encounter on the train with The Right Honourable Stephen Benn, 3rd Viscount Stansgate, led to him offering to be of assistance as they toured the Houses of Parliament.
As well as being a Viscount and member of the House of Lords, he is also Director of Parliamentary Affairs for the Royal Society of Biology and son of the late Tony Benn.
The students watched the debate in The Lords, and then went to The Commons, where they stood right where the Prime Ministers stand! They were also given lots of information about the history of the place.
Both the students and group leaders were treated like VIPs, which they hugely appreciated. It was a great finale to their visit and they all went home happy!