My life: Matthew Edwards, 17, London
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
"First class second chamber: the challenges and merits of an upper house" - this was the broad title of a national essay competition. Mr Howell, one of our politics teachers at Merchant Taylors' School, encouraged us to enter.
Some time later, on the last day before the summer holidays, I was very pleased to hear that I had won the competition.
Winners' day arrived quickly, and included a tour around the Houses of Parliament and the current exhibitions. My father and I were joined by the two runners-up and their parents, and Barry Griffiths of the Hansard Society - an educational charity - who had helped to organise the competition. We enjoyed lunch with the Lord Speaker, along with other members of the judging panel including Peter Riddell of The Times.
After receiving our prizes, we witnessed first-hand the workings of the House of Lords in session. To round off the day, we had tea with a peer who had attended my school.
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