The year started with a meditation on the British Constitution from the foremost authority on the matter, Sir Vernon Bogdanor, research professor at the Institute for Contemporary British History at King’s College London and emeritus professor of politics and government at the University of Oxford. Speaking at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Professor Bogdanor delivered a forensic examination of the nuances and complexities of the UK’s uncodified constitution. In the Q&A afterwards, he demonstrated a mastery of the subject before being utterly skittled by Freddie Hack.

Molly Ropner and Anton Gambarini represented the Department with honour in the Talks for Our Times series, focusing on the protection of rights in the UK. College hosted a Youth Parliament husting where two candidates from Pate’s Grammar School came to press for College support giving students the opportunity to engage with the democratic process.

Lower Sixth enjoyed the Houses of Parliament where they toured the Palace of Westminster, met with local MP and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk before seeing the Treasury field questions in the House of Commons. They then soaked up the lively atmosphere outside Downing Street followed by the slightly more reserved environment of the Supreme Court. Thanks to Mrs Sarah Dawson for her expert organisation.

Lord Brennan of Bibury, KC, a former High Court Judge and grandparent of Bella Brennan visited us and considered the challenges facing modern democracies and what young people can do to make sense of contemporary politics.

The Department held up its end of the Morley Society, with many tremendous addresses and, of course, a fabulous dinner to provide a fitting cap on a year’s hard work.