On Friday I visited Emmbrook School. I was invited to give a lecture on the functionings of Parliament to a sixth form group studying government and politics.
I explained to them the role of the Queen in Parliament and the structure of the bicameral legislature. We discussed reform of the Lords and its current membership. I explained the three readings, committee and report stages in each House to secure the passage of a bill, and what happens when the Lords and Commons disagree about legislation. I set out the broad numbers of public spending, borrowing and taxation. We talked about the main functions of modern government.
The Group will hear from party representatives in future weeks explaining the viewpoint of their different parties.