Stewart Koenig, President of the Anglia Ruskin Student Legal Bar Society, reports:

"On Wednesday 8 February 2012, 14 members of the Anglia Ruskin Legal Bar Society attended a tour of the Palace of Westminster. The group was a mix of current 1st and 2nd year students who are currently on the LLB (Hons) pathway. It was an early start, as we had to be at Westminster for 8.30am so we could go through and clear security.

"We were met by a member of the Sergeant at Arms staff who led us on a tour of the Palace, following the route that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth takes when she comes to open Parliament. Our guide showed us several paintings and statues of famous people and royalty covering a wide span of history. She was also kind enough to show some of us her badge of office that she wears when she is working as a messenger. The badge is solid gold and worth around £70,000. While wearing her badge of office she can't be stopped or challenged and has access to any room or meeting taking place within the Palace of Westminster or any other Royal Household.

"We went into the House of Lords and then onto the House of Commons, standing on the Government Benches while details of the room were pointed out to us. The tour lasted for about an hour, but with so much to see we could have spent the whole day looking round if we had been permitted.

"Two 1st year students, Sophie Davidson and Daniel Young, were given special access passes to view Prime Minister's Questions from the gallery in the House of Commons. I would like to thank Mr Julian Huppert MP who made this possible. At the end of the tour Mr Huppert was kind enough to come and meet us in Westminster Hall for coffee and was happy to answer questions about being an MP and some of the things he is involved with, both as a local Liberal Democrat and some of the cross party work he supports, from cycleways to refugees.

"All the students enjoyed their tour of the Palace, particularly hearing how the division bell works! The Legal Bar Society strives to arrange interesting tours and trips for members and friends to go on. You do not need to want to be a Barrister to become a member - it is more about showing other aspects of the legal system that are open for consideration."

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