Lord Speaker visits Portsmouth

The visit was part of an ongoing outreach programme designed to increase public awareness of, and engagement with, the House of Lords.

Thursday 13 February

The role and work of the Lords

• The Lord Speaker made a Peers in Schools visit to Crookhorn College, Waterlooville.
  
• Baroness D'Souza gave a short lecture on the role and work of the House at the University of Portsmouth. The event was hosted by senior law lecturer, Dr Donal Coffey, and ended with a short Q&A session.

Friday 14 February

International development

• In an event organised by Portsmouth Council, the Lord Speaker visited the British Red Cross office to speak to staff working on international projects and on a local refugee project. She discussed the expertise of members of the Lords, as well as her own experiences working in an international environment. 

The armed forces

• Baroness D’Souza spoke to veterans, charities and voluntary organisations working with forces families at an event on board HMS Nelson. She talked about the work of the Lords and how individuals and groups can engage with the parliamentary process. The event was organised by the Royal British Legion and Portsmouth Council. 

Community engagement and social enterprise

• The Lord Speaker met members of Community Ownership Unit Portsmouth (COUP), a group of charities, social enterprises, businesses and council officers who meet monthly to discuss projects that bring public assets into community ownership. Baroness D’Souza discussed parliamentary engagement and issues affecting local government, businesses, charities and social enterprises.

Speaking ahead of her visit to Portsmouth, Baroness D'Souza said: 'I hope that during my time in Portsmouth, there will be some lively and informative debates, questions and discussions about how people can, do, or plan to engage with parliament and the House of Lords.'

Further information

• Find out more about the Lord Speaker
• House of Lords outreach programme
• Parliamentary outreach