Cadets take their seats

By ASGT Emily Campbell ATC

Friday 27 October saw twelve Cadets from 1563 (Buckingham) Sqn on a visit to the Houses of Parliament, including a special visit to the Speakers House, courtesy of local Buckingham MP and Speaker of the House, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP.

On arrival at the Houses of Parliament, the Cadets passed through the tight security and entered the Palace of Westminster, walking to the western end of the building and the Sovereigns Entrance. Here we were in shock and awe of the grandeur of the rooms and our guide highlighted the gold fixtures and fittings and pointed out the relevance and history of the art work and furniture.

From here we entered the House of Lords and the Lords lobbyist areas, again a very grand and opulent area. Within this area were memorials to conflicts that Great Britain has been involved, from Agincourt to the Falklands. Following an overview of how the House works, the skills and relevance of the Lords and a few amusing tales, we followed Black Rod's into the House of Commons, pausing to look and the statues in the much televised central lobby.

Prior to entering the House of Commons the voting system was explained “ayes to the right” as well as the function of the Party Whips and the original records of the enquiry into the Gun Powder Plot. Within the chamber, much smaller than you image, we were treated to a pottered history of the chamber.

As invitees of the Speaker we were then invited behind the scenes to tour The Speakers House, just a bijou three storey town house backing onto the Thames. The Cadets were invited to eat their picnic lunch here, the grandest picnic I dare say they will ever encounter!

Leaving the Palace of Westminster behind us we entered Whitehall, passing the Cenotaph and MOD HQ before arriving in Trafalgar Square where we couldn't resist pausing for a Squadron photograph in front of the Olympic countdown clock.

From there it was on to the Mall and then to Horse Guards Parade where, as the Cadets were busy buying souvenirs, the Guard commander invited us behind the scenes and into the stables to meet the horses and guardsmen. A very unexpected bonus and an excellent end to the day.