Between March 10 and 13, 2026, students from the School of History and Social Sciences participated in a four-day study trip to England, organized by the Center for Constitutional Politics. The trip focused on the operation of the House of Lords, as well as its current and potential future reforms.
The series of professional events began with a lecture by Lord Nigel Biggar, who drew on his personal experiences to introduce the group to the inner workings of the House of Lords. Furthermore, he discussed the community-building and political significance of private clubs, which are a hallmark of UK politics. This was followed by a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster.
In the afternoon, Meg Russell spoke to the students at University College London (UCL), primarily focusing on her research regarding the House of Lords, as well as potential reform proposals and their likelihood of implementation. The day concluded with a presentation by Lord Norton of Louth, who outlined the reforms affecting the British Parliament over the past decades.
The following day – as the highlight of the trip – students had the opportunity to observe the House of Lords in session. During Question Time, they witnessed the House's unique system
of self-regulation: within the ten-minute intervals allocated to pre-submitted questions, there was no fixed speaking order. Instead, those wishing to speak competed for the floor (a practice known as "bobbing").
To help provide context, the recently retired Lord Attlee – grandson of Prime Minister Clement Attlee – joined the group in the afternoon, with the students getting a chance to ask him about his years of service in the House of Lords. Presentations were also delivered by Richard Johnson, a researcher at Queen Mary University, regarding parliamentary changes, and Stephen Tierney, legal advisor to the House of Lords Constitution Committee.
Overall, the students participated in a rich program featuring unique professional insights, gaining both theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the House of Lords.
