News A Level Politics Conference at Central Hall Westminster 12.03.2025

A Level Politics students travelled to Westminster for the A Level Politics conference at Central Hall Westminster.

The day coincided with Commonwealth Day, meaning that  experienced political protest of various kinds – with one student even catching a glimpse of the King! The day started with a speech and Q&A with Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former Conservative MP and minister, which set the stage for the wide range of political views we were to engage with through the day, as well as the chance to debate and scrutinise these views.

A series of politicians followed, each giving a talk and taking questions from the students; Lord Dubs (Labour), Richard Tice (Reform), Dame Emily Thornberry (Labour), Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrats), Sir Graham Brady (Conservative), Sian Berry (Green) and Pete Wishart (SNP). We also heard from Seb Wride from Public First on the significance and complications of polling and Alastair Campbell, the former spin doctor and now of the Rest is Politics podcast, who motivated the students present to get involved in politics.

Speakers engaged with a huge range of issues, but particular recurring themes were Ukraine, defence, Net Zero, welfare, taxation and housing. Amalie (Lower Sixth) reflected, ‘I learned the importance of getting involved in politics however you see fit’, whilst Rose in the Lower Sixth said, ‘it was very interesting to hear such a broad range of speakers from both ends of the political spectrum’. Although we had to chase him down the street, we were privileged during the lunch break to speak with Lord Dubs, a Holocaust survivor and campaigner for the rights of child refugees (pictured).

The conference provided students with a fantastic opportunity to engage more fully with politicians spanning a range of viewpoints, and to consider our own political views more closely.