Pupils from Coates Primary School enjoy their trip to the Houses of Parliament.

YOUNGSTERS from Coates Primary School got the chance to think of their own laws during a tour of the Houses of Parliament.

NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay organised for 32 pupils and several members of staff to be shown around the House of Commons and the House of Lords - prompting children to dub the home of Government “wicked” and “cool”.

Teacher Sarah Johnston said: “We were so lucky to be invited to meet Mr Barclay’s assistant and to be given such a wonderful tour around the Houses of Parliament.

“The children were particularly interested in the part where they were given the opportunity to stand at the Despatch Box, pretending to be the Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition.

“The children were also told that, until they had sworn an allegiance to the Queen, they were not permitted to sit on the seats in either of the two houses.”

The youngsters were taken to Portcullis House and Westminster Hall, where King Charles I and Guy Fawkes were sentenced to death, before learning about the process of turning a bill into a law.

They were also given the opportunity to raise questions and make their own laws.

Year 6 pupil Jacob Cumbridge said: “It was wicked, because no-one in my house has ever been to the Houses of Parliament before. There was so much to see and do.

“The best bit was when we went into The House of Lords, because of the pictures, red seats and throne. It was very cool to see the real Magna Carta and the King’s signature.”

Mr Barclay said: “I am pleased that these students had an opportunity to see the wonderfully historic workplace that the House of Commons is, and to learn about the fascinating Parliamentary procedure that we as MPs have to run our lives by!”