Between 13 – 21 November, special events will take place around Manchester as part of Parliament Week. Now in its 5th year, Parliament Week connects people with Parliament by encouraging communities to hold events exploring the meaning and importance of democracy in their lives. This year, over 160 organisations across the UK will hold events to celebrate Parliament Week 2015.
Parliament Week will use the hashtag #dodemocracy to encourage people to participate and get their voices heard, even if they are unable to attend an event in person. The social media campaign will run on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Organisations including museums, art galleries, charities and businesses will run Parliament Week events designed to appeal to diverse communities around the country. Events already registered include debates, workshops, talks, walks and exhibitions – all devised to help people across the UK understand how Parliament’s work affects their lives, and take an active part in their democracy.
MPs and Peers will be taking part in Parliament Week events, providing the public with the opportunity to engage with key decision-makers at the centre of British politics, as well as with the institution that makes it all happen. Listings are available at www.parliamentweek.org with the programme of activities being updated as additional events are added. A selection of events and resources include:
Change your future: understand Parliament
Monday 16 November, 1pm – 4pm
People’s History Museum, Manchester
Organised by the Political Studies Association, this workshop will see politics undergraduate students leading group discussions with local sixth formers. Discussions will centre on what Parliament does and how it could improve in the future.
Suffragette City: The Pankhursts and Manchester
Wednesday 18 November, 1.30pm – 3.15pm
New Manchester Walks
A guided tour about how a Manchester family – the Pankhursts – led the Suffragette movement at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Power of Petitions
Wednesday 18 November, 2pm – 4pm
People’s History Museum
This workshop will give a hands on experience of the most popular way ordinary people made their voice heard before democracy. Follow the Chartists and Suffragettes and write your own petition to make your voice heard!
Parliamentary Outreach Workshop
Wednesday 18 November, 10am – 12pm
Friends Meeting House Manchester
Civic Voice, the national body for civic societies, is hosting a series of training sessions, delivered by regional Parliamentary Outreach officers, the topics of which will include: Getting involved in Parliament, Legislation and Select Committees.
Death or Liberty – film screening and panel discussion
Thursday 19 November, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
People’s History Museum
The UK premiere of an exciting new dramatized documentary about the rebels, radicals and reformers exiled as convicts to Australia. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with director Keith Farrell and author Dr Tony Moore.
Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP, said: “Parliament Week is a fantastic opportunity for people to find out more about Parliament, discuss how it affects their lives and develop a stronger connection with the UK’s democratic processes. I heartily commend all of the organisations and individuals who are running events and am certain that they will inspire some fascinating conversations.”
The Lord Speaker, Baroness D’Souza, said: “There is a huge variety of events during this year’s Parliament Week, giving people of all ages the chance to discover more about Parliament, and experience what politics means to them at a local and national level. From talks to guided walks, and from music events to exhibitions, I really hope that people from all over the country will take this chance to get involved, and connect more with Parliament and politics so that Parliament can better reflect their views.”
