Your Parliament | get involved with this month’s activities and events
There are lots of ways you can get involved with Parliament and its work wherever you are in the UK. Here’s a quick guide to some activities coming up – including music concerts, events on how get the most out of petitions and talks on political skulduggery…
Calling all campaigners! Free event on using petitions effectively
28 October 2015, 10.15-11.45am | Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament, London | @HoCPetitions
Join the new House of Commons Petitions Committee for a free event exploring how the new petitions system works. This event will equip you with tools and knowledge to help your networks and communities get their voices heard and ensure your petitions are as effective as possible. There will be lots of opportunities to ask MPs on the Committee your questions.
Booking is essential as places are limited. Email petitionscommittee@parliament.uk (stating your name and organisation) by Monday 19 October to request a place.
The event will be live-streamed so if you can’t attend in person, tweet your questions to @HoCPetitions or email petitionscommittee@parliament.uk. Find out more on the Petitions Committee webpage.
More events about petitions are being planned around the UK – watch this space for further details.
Sweet Liberties folk concerts
24 – 29 November 2015 | Venues around the UK
As part of the Houses of Parliament’s 2015 anniversaries programme ‘Parliament in the Making’, BBC Folk Singer of the Year Nancy Kerr, Martyn Joseph, Sam Carter, Maz O’Connor, Patsy Reid and Nick Cooke are writing new music in response to the rights and liberties that people have fought to achieve and protect over the past 800 years.
The musicians will tour this new material in venues in Cambridge, Bristol, Bury, Cardiff, London and Gateshead from 24 – 29 November.
Find out more and book now: Sweet Liberties folks concerts booking information
Sweet Liberties is the latest commission from the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) and Folk by The Oak, supported by Parliament with financial support from the PRS for Music Foundation.
Festival of Freedom: more events this October
This October enjoy free talks taking place at the Houses of Parliament and Conway Hall in London, and the University of Dundee in Scotland.
The significance of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the lessons for us today
14 October , 6.45–8pm | Houses of Parliament
Professor Chris Williams highlights one of the most spectacular and extensive mobilisations of popular politics in British history.
Female Suffrage in Scotland
17 October, 11am–1pm | University of Dundee
Dr William Kenefick and Dr Ann Petrie explore issues related to female suffrage in Scotland.
Political skulduggery: what kept Charles Bradlaugh MP from taking his seat in Parliament?
25 October, 11am–12pm and 2–3pm | Conway Hall, London
Deborah Lavin explores the significance of Charles Bradlaugh, a controversial MP who fought for six years in the 1880s to take his seat in Parliament.
Find out more www.parliament.uk/festival-of-freedoms
Book your free place http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/houses-of-parliament-8204086399
Parliament Week is nearly here!
16 – 22 November 2015 | @Parliament_Week
This year’s Parliament Week is looking to be bigger and better than ever. The exciting programme already includes walks, talks, debates and discussions across the UK, on subjects ranging from comedy to music and radical protest. Go to the Parliament Week website to find out more and to see what’s happening near you.
Get involved with Parliament
There are many ways that you can get involved with Parliament and its work throughout the year, whether you’re interested in signing a petition, attending one of our training sessions or contributing to a Select Committee inquiry. For more information, see Parliament’s Get Involved pages.