Hansard Scholars Visit Edinburgh

International group spend four days on political study trip to Scottish capital.

The Spring 2008 Hansard Scholars took advantage of Westminster's parliamentary recess recently to go on a political study visit to Edinburgh.

The group, comprising 17 mainly US undergraduates and 10 postgraduate students from countries as diverse as Uganda, Poland, New Zealand and Bulgaria left London on the train to Edinburgh on Tuesday 12th February. The afternoon was free for the Scholars to enjoy the beautiful spring sunshine as well as the architectural, historical and cultural wonders of the Scottish capital before the Wednesday seminars.  

Michael Clancy OBE, Director of the Law Society of Scotland, kicked off the Wednesday sessions by giving a riveting talk about the implications of Scots law and devolution. He also treated the Scholars to a fascinating account of Scottish history from marauding Vikings and William Wallace to the ever-so-slightly controversial Scottish Parliament. John Henderson, Head of Briefing at the Scotland Office, followed this with a discussion on the role of the Office in the Scottish political process. Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, ended the day's seminars with a fascinating Q&A session on what it's like to be in government in Scotland - particularly as a member of the pro-independence SNP.

The following morning started with a visit to the pre-1707 Parliament of Scotland building, now the home of the Supreme Courts of Scotland. After witnessing a very high-profile court case in the High Court, the Scholars then had a chance to see the modern Scottish Parliament - a great opportunity for all the Scholars to see first hand what £431m buys you in Edinburgh!
Edinburgh's European Parliament Office was the final port of call and an opportunity for the Scholars to grill Dominic Munro Kate Barbier of the Scottish Government on the Scottish economy and the challenges that lie ahead for Scotland. John Edward, Head of the European Parliament Office in Scotland, ended the day with a lively discussion about the challenges facing the EU, and the Scottish and Westminster parliaments' relationship to Brussels.

Friday afternoon on the train back down to London was an opportunity for the Scholars to reflect on what they'd learnt and who they'd met over the past couple of days. The visit will be followed shortly by a political study visit to Oxford.