Reporter Chrissy Symmons takes the train to the Houses of Parliament to meet MP David Wright and learn about his life in London.
When I read David Wright’s Twitter page a few weeks ago I saw he was inviting constituents to visit him in London. So I thought I would take him up on the offer.
I had never visited the Houses of Parliament before and was very interested to find out what goes on there.
On Wednesday, October 21, my day began at 5.50am when I boarded the Wrexham & Shropshire train to make my journey to London.
It was very early in the morning but train staff were bright and cheery and keen to serve me tea, coffee and breakfast.
I chose a delicious breakfast of light and fluffy scrambled egg on brown toast with salmon and was also given a choice of pastries and cakes.
I was pleased at how smooth the journey was as I left Shropshire for the capital city.
With the sun rising in the sky I arrived at Marylebone station at around 9am where I caught a tube to Westminster.
Surfacing from the underground there was rain in the air so I hurried to meet Mr Wright inside the grand building.
Entering the House of Parliament is a bit like going through airport security as my bags and I were scanned. I also had my photograph taken to wear round my neck to show I was a visitor
Mt first sight when I got inside was Westminster Hall – a huge hall with high ceilings. It was completed in 1099 and is said to have been originally created for feasts and entertainment.
Just off of this room, I spied a model of Big Ben which had been created entirely of chocolate, created by Dominique Ashford, -pastry chef of the House of Commons, in celebration of its 150th anniversary.
Central Lobby was breathtaking with a high domed ceiling covered in gold decoration. The round room had four entrances/ exits with artwork of patron saints.
I had arrived early and as I waited for Mr Wright I sat on green leather seats watching people coming in and out of the room.
There were groups of tourists and school groups being ushered around but there were also officials and politicians walking the halls too – Betty Boothroyd was spotted walking past.
I also spotted other things I had not expected to see in the Houses of Parliament: An official looking man wearing a pair of orange crocs, someone walking towards the House of Lords with a plastic shopping bag, a dog and a liquorice allsorts tie.
At 11am Mr Wright arrived to show me around his place of work. He explained the history of the building which was so grand and covered with gold decoration, art work and sculptures.
He pointed out the decorated wallpaper with poppies and the trademark Houses of Parliament gates. He also showed me how the carpet changed colour from red at the House of Lords to green at the House of Commons.
In the House of Lords the architecture reminded me of the design found in a cathedral or large church with wood sculpted seating, gold decoration and stained glass windows.
In the House of Commons the seats were green and it is said that many people are surprised at the size of the room believing it to be smaller than they imagined.
At 11.30am I went back to the Central Lobby as tourists began to crowd in.
Each day, before the sitting of the House of Commons, the Speaker along with other officials travel in procession from the apartments to the Chamber.
As the procession started a policeman dressed in his domed hat and brass-buttoned jacket shouted “hats off strangers” as they walked past the crowd and into the House of Commons.
I then went to chat with Mr Wright over a cup of tea about his life as an MP and what he gets up to.
He told me he has always been interested in politics.
“I got involved in the Labour Student Party in 1985 and I have been on the council for 22 years,” he said. “I used to be on Oakengates parish council.”
“I have been an MP for nine years.”
Mr Wright is a Whip which means he has to encourage the right number of his party members to vote the way their party wants.
I asked him what it was like to work in such a grand and impressive building.
“It is a place of work and an incredible building,” he said pointing to paintings on the wall and the specially designed wallpaper. “This building, it is a political stage in the UK but a lot of politics also goes on outside of the chamber.
“A lot of national and local discussion goes on in the offices and in government and over a cup of tea. It is a meeting place here as well.
“Serving the community here is a privilege. Getting elected is an incredible privilege and responsibility.”
Mr Wright said that he never forgets Telford when he is in London and it is always in his mind as he goes about his duties.
“I am in London Monday to Thursday and come back to Telford on Thursday evening. I then do work in the constituency on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“I do a lot of travelling up and down but Telford is my home. Going to Telford is going home for me. I like going to watch the football and going out and meeting people. London is not home, Telford is home.”
Wednesday is Mr Wrights busiest day so after lunch (where I was dining on the table next to John Prescott) I left him to get on with his job.
Sitting on the train on the way home I was treated to a large piece of moist chocolate cake and many cups of tea. It had been an interesting day seeing Mr Wright working for Telford in London and I was glad I had the opportunity to see life in the capital city.
House of Commons menu included:Starters Grilled halloumi with five beans, shallot & pine nut salad, tomato & basil dressing; red onion & potato tart with a free-range poached egg & chive hollandaise; confit of duck spring roll with hoi sin sauce.
MainFish included salmon and prawn fishcake with dill cream; meat dishes included chargrilled rib-eye steak with hand cut chips & béarnaise sauce.Vegetarian dishes included pappardelle pasta with leek, baby plum tomatoes, artichokes & capers.DessertPuddings included bitter sweet chocolate tart with stout ice cream; fresh fruit salad; a selection of cheeses.
The Wrexham & Shropshire trains menu included:BreakfastIncludes a selection of cereal; toast and preserves.Full Welsh Breakfast with Welsh sausage, bacon, black pudding, scrambled egg, mushroom, tomato and hash brown; or Wrexham and Shropshire Kipper or scrambled egg and smoked salmon.Evening mealIncludes soup of the day; spicy chicken tikka massala served with boiled rice; creamy fisherman’s pie with mashed potato and served with potato wedges; three bean smokey chilli with riceDessert
Includes cheesecake and chocolate gateaux.
For more information on Parliament visit www.parliament.uk
For more information on Wrexham and Shropshire visit www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk