
As many of you will know, every year the History of Parliament Trust organises competitions for schoolchildren on aspects of parliamentary history. We recently invited our 2015 A Level competition winner, Josh Travers of St Ambrose College, Altrincham, to Westminster to receive his prize.
John was with an essay on ‘Bill and Ben the battling statesmen: Gladstone vs. Disraeli’. The competition judges felt that this ‘creative’ and ‘insightful’ essay led to a ‘gripping’ and ‘evocative comparison’ of two of the nineteenth century parliamentary heavyweights.
Josh, along with his father and history teacher, joined us for a tour of parliament and gallery views of proceedings in both the Lords and Commons. Before lunch he was awarded his prize by our chair of trustees, Lord Patrick Cormack.

Many congratulations to Josh from all at the History, and best of luck in the future.
Perhaps you’re a student reading this and hoping to follow in Josh’s footsteps? If so, we have just launched details of 2016’s Key Stage Three and A Level competitions. Winners will receive prizes of book tokens and be invited to Westminster to receive their prizes. Our Key Stage Three competition is based on our online schools resources, with options on the Reformation or 19th Century political reform. The closing date for entries is 1 December 2016. All details are available here.
For A level students, we are again asking for an essay on British or Irish political history, with a closing date of 30 September 2016. Full details here.
We look forward to your entries, and watch this space for this year’s winners!
EP