Discovering the Secrets of Westminster

Last Thursday, we did one of the coolest things we've done since we moved over: a behind-the-scenes tour of Parliament!

First, I need to give you some background on how we got such an amazing opportunity:
Aaron started playing on a flag football team a few months ago called the Westminster Wildcats. He was randomly placed on their team after signing up as an individual, but the team was started a few years ago by some guys who worked in Westminster. Last week, was one team member's last game because he is moving back to the US after living in London for five years. In his time living over here, he has never been inside Westminster, and another guy on the team who works for an MP (Member of Parliament, kind of like a Senator) was appalled. He offered to give a tour to the US team member and anyone else on the team who wanted to see it. Lucky for me, Aaron quickly asked, "Can my wife come along too?" : )

Thursday night, we met at the Westminster Tube station with our group of 7. After going through a security screening, we found ourselves inside the gates of Parliament. It's the same view as a few steps away but without the maddening crowds of tourists snapping photos.

We started in Westminster Hall which is the oldest existing part of Parliament. It's a huge hall built in 1097 that has been the site of some pretty historic moments throughout the years. It housed important trials including those of William Wallace (Braveheart) and Guy Fawkes (who tried to blow up Parliament). It is also an exclusive, rare privilege for a foreign leader to speak in the hall (speakers include Nelson Mandela and Obama who is the only US president). The roof is entirely made of oak timbers and is the largest clearspan medieval roof in England.

In WWII, Westminster was hit one night with 12 bombs. The House of Commons and Westminster Hall were both set on fire, but a decision was made to focus efforts on saving Westminster Hall, which they did. Everything else was pretty much destroyed.

The UK Parliament is made up of three parts:
- The Monarch (Queen Elizabeth II)
- The House of Commons (made up of elected MPs)
- The House of Lords (made up of appointed Lords and Baronesses)

From Westminster Hall, we walked to the Central Lobby that is considered the heart of the Palace of Westminster because it is the meeting point of four hallways: one that leads to Westminster Hall, the House of Commons, the public entrance, and the House of Lords. It is the central meeting place of Parliament.

Then we walked the route that the Queen takes to open Parliament. We went through the Queen's Robing Room, where she is adorned with her crown, jewels and robe. Then into the Royal Gallery through the Prince's Chamber and finally to the House of Lords. Here, she sits on her huge gold throne and delivers her speech.

The House of Lords was very lavish and beautiful. Actually, all of the rooms in this part of Parliament were adorned with artwork and incredible detail. Lords serve for a lifetime and are either Bishops or peers appointed because of their expertise in a particular area or because they were born into the position (Andrew Lloyd Webber is a Lord).

After this, we walked to the House of Commons, back through the Central Lobby. The House of Commons has 650 MPs in it, including the Prime Minister, David Cameron, who is actually not elected but appointed by whatever political party has the majority.

The décor was much plainer in this chamber, but it is supposed to represent commoners. It is actually the only place that the monarch is not allowed to go in which was an interesting fact. This is from when King Charles I stormed into the House of Commons and tried to arrest 5 members for treason (he believed they were trying to overthrow him by having Scotland invade England). The action was what led to England's Civil War.

Even to this day, the monarch cannot enter and she sends a messenger called 'The Black Rod' to summon the members of The House of Commons to the House of Lords. Ceremoniously, as the Black Rod approaches, the door to the House of Commons is slammed in his face and he then taps a huge staff three times on the door before they open it. This symbolizes that the monarch will never again be able to enter with force. There is a specific spot in the door that he taps and you can actually see the worn away part of it.

Once we had finished seeing all there is to see, the guy asked if we wanted to grab a drink. I assumed this meant at a pub nearby, but he led us down a staircase and below parliament there is a PUB. Yes, you read that right. An old, maze of a pub that had live karaoke and overflowing pints. It is just for employees of Parliament so an average person couldn't get in, and it was amazing. If that doesn't prove the Brits love to drink, I don't know what does.

When we finished that pint, he took us to another exclusive Parliament bar on a patio overlooking the Thames river. We had a pitcher of Pimms and watched the sun go down. It was the perfect ending to a really cool day.