Why parliament is so important: just a thought before the local elections, vote to protect everything parliament is

Above and Featured Image: Future Learn Course (Parliamentary Copyright)

I always vote labour but that’s my privilege. I live in Rushcliffe, where the very popular Kenneth Clarke QC MP is about to semi retire.

Above Ken Clarke’s Autobiography: ‘Kind of Blue’ available from good local bookshops like Five Leaves

Who will replace him? Do you know, want to influence who might be chosen?

Above: Great Graphics on the 60 second introduction to Parliament video 

My main feeling about politics though, is that I want more people, more of the time to vote and to realise how important parliament is.

If you listen to and watch what happens in parliament on the parliament channel you’ll get a real insight into local, regional and global connections.

Freeview	Channel 131
Satellite
Freesat	Channel 201
Sky (UK only)	Channel 504
Astra 2E	10788 V 22000 5/6
Cable
Virgin Media	Channel 605
WightFibre	Channel 26
Streaming media
BBC iPlayer	Watch live (UK only)
TVPlayer	Watch live (UK only)

In West Bridgford where I live I can see that the Rushcliffe political area is both a map and a jigsaw puzzle of things, people, places and ideas we need to connect to and with. You can see the bigger picture in the detail. Councils now work together: we need to find great ways of communicating this to more people, more of the time in a way that makes sense to more people, more of the time.

If you want to do the Future Learn course on Parliament, see below. I heard of CPD for teachers and wrote to the Education Support Booking officer at parliament. The podcasts she mentions are very basic (probably for children?) but the online course is interesting.

Hello Paula,

I’m delighted to hear that you are so engaged with the work of Parliament and would like to expand your knowledge. Unfortunately, the CPD we offer is for teachers, trainee teachers and education professionals, but there are still many ways to get involved. You’re welcome to explore these further and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

At the beginning of February this year, we launched a free online course, called ‘Introduction to the UK Parliament’. I have just completed this course myself and can highly recommend it. We have also just launched a new six-part series podcast, called‘Parliament Explained’ which will be released every Monday from 7am. The first episode was released only two days ago, on Monday 20 March so you have plenty of time to catch up if that is something you are interested in.

I would also recommend looking at our ‘Get Involved’ page on our website, where you can book onto events and workshops happening near you, join a learning programme or even submit evidence to a committee. You can also find your MP via this page and it’s always worth a try asking them for tickets to Prime Ministers Questions (PMQ’s) which takes place each Wednesday at 12pm. You will be able to find their contact details on their page.

I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help regarding the CPD seminars, but I hope that this information is useful.

Kind regards,

Parliament’s Education Service

Houses of Parliament

London SW1A 2TT