On Thursday 17th October, Central Foundation had the honour and pleasure of welcoming the Rt Hon Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury to speak to our A Level Law and Politics students as well as those from the Girls’ School. Emily has represented the area continually for 19 years, beginning in 2005 when Labour was in Government.
Emily spoke about her journey, studying Law at university, paid her way by taking all kinds of jobs, and becoming a barrister. She then discussed her time as a new MP when she was quickly given responsibilities, sitting on several House of Commons committees such as Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Environmental Committee.
After the 2010 election when the Conservatives formed the Government, that is when the Labour Party was in opposition, Emily held many significant positions shadowing for example several Secretaries of State including for Defence, the Environment and the Attorney General Role.
Whether in office or opposition, the strands of Emily’s responsibilities and keen interests over the years have focussed on the housing crisis, the climate emergency, and social equality, and standing up to racist violence against which in August she gave a lead stating:
This racist and Islamophobic violence must be absolutely and unequivocally condemned. Everybody must feel safe on the streets, and I support every effort by the police and courts to bring those involved to swift justice. I stand shoulder to shoulder with local civic and faith leaders.
In September, Emily was elected by her Parliamentary colleagues—of all parties—to chair the prestigious Foreign Affairs Committee, a House of Commons Select Committee which examines the expenditure, administration and policy of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Emily then answered questions from our students with deep, insightful responses and joined both students and staff for a pleasant array of refreshments.
Our students had the following feedback from the event: