CLUBS & SOCIETIES: The House of Lords comes to RGS

AN RGS student persuaded the man described as ‘the UK’s greatest living expert on Parliament’ to talk with the school’s debating, law and philosophy societies.

When Tassy Bell met Lord Philip Norton of Louth at an open day at the University of Hull, where he is professor of government and director of the university’s Centre for Legislative Studies, she grabbed the opportunity.

Tassy said: “Being a constitutional expert and an active debater in the House of Lords (both in House debates and in committees), he gave an excellent insight into what we can learn from debate both in the world of work and in our day-to-day lives.

“With members from the law, philosophy and debate societies, our discussion extended further into the constitution and the role of the House of Lords in legislation and democracy. The experience was insightful for all of us and gave us plenty to think about and discuss in the following weeks.”

The youngest professor of politics when he was appointed in 1986, Lord Norton is the author or editor of 35 books and was elevated to the peerage in 1998.

He also chairs the History of Parliament Trust and the Higher Education Commission, is president of the Study of Parliament Group and editor of The Journal of Legislative Studies.

Tassy said: “It isn't always easy to find speakers, so we were lucky. The Debate Society will take forward what we learnt in our preparations for the first round of the English Speaking Union debate competition, which we will be taking part in soon.