Sixth Form Politics pupils travelled to Westminster for the A-level The Rest is Politics conference. Before welcoming Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell, pupils listened to many other speakers – Wes Streeting, Holocaust Survivor Lord Dubs, the Greens’ Deputy Zack Polanski, Richard Tice of Reform UK, and Leader of the Commons Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg. Topics included Gaza, the Rwanda bill, the power of vote and LGBTQ rights, with some highly divisive reactions in the audience.
In the afternoon, Campbell and Stewart gave the floor to student questions, with Campbell discussing the power of social media, his regrets over his alcoholism, and what Blair should have done to the Lords. Meanwhile, Stewart admitted he had hated being a Harvard professor, advising students not to be afraid to reject high-powered jobs!
The debates were up to the minute and hugely relevant for pupils, with some fantastic speakers. Congratulations to Ollie L (Lower Sixth), whose question about education will be addressed in the next The Rest is Politics podcast and a prize for political manoeuvring to Robert G (Upper Sixth) for ambushing Jacob Rees-Mogg in a quiet part of the building.
Teacher of History & Politics Dr Thomson
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