PCG Parliament tours, 14 October 2026

On a beautiful sunny day, a selection of Park Community Group members gathered at Westminster Hall for two tours of Parliament. The first was with a professional parliamentary tour guide and the second with our MP, Rupa Huq, who joined us between chairing a Select Committee meeting and Prime Minister’s questions.

One of our group, Jasmina Stokalo, made the following notes.

The beauty of the building was striking, particularly the contrasting chambers of the Commons and the Lords. What stayed with me most, however, was discovering the history behind the traditions and understanding how Parliament works in practice.

Learning about Charles I’s attempt to arrest five MPs gave new meaning to the independence of the Commons and the ceremony involving Black Rod. Customs that might otherwise seem purely ceremonial suddenly became reminders of a very real struggle over power and accountability.

I was particularly moved by Emily Wilding Davison’s decision to hide in a broom cupboard on census night in 1911. Such a small space holds an extraordinary story. Hearing about the gradual extension of voting rights, and the fact that women only gained the vote on equal terms with men in 1928, made me reflect on how recently those rights were secured.

As Tony Benn, MP, reported in the House of Commons in 2001: 'I have put up several plaques—quite illegally, without permission; I screwed them up myself. One was in the broom cupboard to commemorate Emily Wilding Davison, and another celebrated the people who fought for democracy and those who run the House. If one walks around this place, one sees statues of people, not one of whom believed in democracy, votes for women or anything else. We have to be sure that we are a workshop and not a museum.'

I also found the role of the House of Lords fascinating, especially the contribution of members with professional expertise and lived experience in areas such as medicine, education, science and disability. Learning how both Houses examine legislation, propose amendments and work towards agreement helped me appreciate the care and scrutiny that law-making requires.

The visit also made Parliament feel more accessible. Discovering that members of the public can watch debates, read parliamentary contributions and raise concerns with their representatives was an encouraging reminder that there are ways for us to take part.

I left feeling curious, inspired and keen to learn more.

As well as running one of our tours, Rupa Huq hosted a session where she took and answered questions about her views on consistuency and party matters, and on the working of Parliament.

Rupa Huq invites anyone who lives in Ealing Central and Acton to join a tour by completing this form. She publishes an interesting e-newsletter about her work locally and in Parliament; sign up here. She runs an advice surgery every Friday afternoon for constituent issues in need of resolution, and her parliamentary web page is here.

A selection of pictures taken during our visit are shown below. Click any to download it, or here to download a selction or all.