A group of 47 local people departed Barry on a coach last week to visit the Houses of Parliament at the invitation of Vale MP Alun Cairns.
The visitors were given a tour of the Palace of Westminster, which included the iconic Commons debating chamber as well as the gilded behind the scenes areas in the House of Lords.
Mr Cairns also held a Q&A session in the Grand Committee Room, where the group of visitors were able to ask questions about the mechanisms of Parliament and the significance of certain symbols and procedures. The Vale MP also recalled humorous anecdotes of his adventures on the back benches, and told of his experience as a minister at the dispatch box.
Barry resident Robert Wheatley said, “I really enjoyed my visit to Parliament, the sense of history in the place is overwhelming. The ancient Westminster Hall is truly colossal, but the Commons chamber is a great deal smaller than it appears on television.”
Vale MP Alun Cairns said, “It is a privilege to have visitors from Barry in Parliament to enjoy the buildings and the history. It is also a great chance for me to explain Parliament’s effectiveness in holding power to account over the centuries.”
Alun Cairns is organising further coach trips from the Vale of Glamorgan to Parliament in the New Year. Local residents wishing to book a place should contact his office of 01446 403814.