Politics

“questions so challenging and impressive in their research and detail, they would make many in our current national press corps blush”

New York to Brussels: Behind the scenes at the EU and the UN

BY ANDREW CANNON, Partner at Herbert, Smith, Freehills LLP.

A year unlike any other turned out to be a surprisingly busy one for the Politics Department. The annual delights of a trip to the Houses of Parliament and, most disappointingly, the trip to Brussels were sadly curtailed. However, there was still plenty to get excited about.

The CCALS programme was as varied and enjoyable as ever. Students were treated to a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the EU, UN and UK government when Andrew Cannon, Partner at Herbert, Smith and Freehills LLP spoke about his career in international diplomacy and law. The return of Jonathan Isaby, Editor at Brexit Central, provided a more adversarial atmosphere, as Mr Isaby’s strong views on leaving the European Union were met with passionate rebuttal from many sections of the room. Such occasions for students to encounter arguments they strongly oppose provides an excellent opportunity to sharpen their own positions.

In more high profile activity, the environment was top of the agenda as Damien Hinds MP and the Conservative government’s policy were put under the spotlight in a Q&A session in front of a packed Lecture Theatre. Upper Sixth students Jude Franklin and Eva Izehue adeptly handled a raft of questions from First Years to Sixth Formers that were so challenging and impressive in their research and detail, they would make many in our current national press corps blush.

A key priority for the department this year has been bringing politics to students outside of the Sixth Form. A group of students descended on Third Year form time to provide PSHE sessions which illustrated the working (and challenges) of the UK’s electoral system. They conveyed their knowledge and interest for the subject by running some fantastic workshops.

The sudden and surprising announcement by Boris Johnson of a December election, the first since 1923, provided another golden opportunity to whip the school into a political fervour. Our own Mock General Election was hastily organised, with Sixth Form students representing the five main political parties in England. A week of campaigning around the school,

MONDAY 03

FEB 2020 | 4.15PM

CHURCHER’S COLLEGE | LECTURE THEATRE

canvassing form groups, lunchtime pickets and flyering taught the Politics students plenty about life on the campaign trail (and the disturbing race to the bottom that negative campaigning can create!). Students from every year group then had the opportunity to vote in House Assemblies, where each party had the opportunity to give a final rousing call to arms from the stump.

The results were intriguing, with the Green Party carrying the day and forming a minority government, just one seat shy of a full majority. The dedication, time, effort and speech writing skills of the students were a credit to the Department.

So, whilst this year has been somewhat unprecedented, the talent and enthusiasm of the Politics students at Churcher’s has remained a comforting constant in the buffeting winds of the last year. Despite the stormy waters, this year has seen the Department go from strength to strength.

Mr P Cheshire