Westminster Walk: Discover the history of parliamentary democracy

Events

Westminster Walk: Discover the history of parliamentary democracy

21 Oct 2022

Discover the history of Westminster on this bespoke tour, created for the Hansard Society and led by Oonagh Gay, Footprints of London guide and former Head of the Parliament and Constitution Centre in the House of Commons Library.

11:30am, 21 October 2022 Starting at Westminster Underground Station (Exit 5)

About this walk

Parliament Square contains the World Heritage Sites of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Its significance as the seat of Government dates back centuries.

Join this guided walk to discover how the Square took its modern shape and how the buildings and statues tell a story of the development of modern parliamentary government, from the monarchy to the franchise and judicial independence to the established church.

The Hansard Society has previously made recommendations to pedestrianise the Square, arguing that it could be transformed into one of the world's great civic spaces, where we could reflect on the journey to democracy and the obstacles which remain. The walk will examine how the Restoration & Renewal programme for the Palace of Westminster could be enhanced by including the wider footprint of Parliament Square as well as Whitehall itself.

Your guide

The tour will be led by Oonagh Gay, a qualified Footprints of London guide who has been devising and leading walking tours since 2015. Oonagh worked in the House of Commons Library for over 30 years – specialising in constitutional briefings for MPs – and is a former member of the Hansard Society Council.

Oonagh specialises in political and feminist walks across London, as well as a variety of local walks in North London. Other walks include Ada Salter and the Beautification of Bermondsey; Marx and the Chartists in Soho; and Conrad’s Secret Agent and Anarchists in Fitzrovia. She is a Footprints of London Guide and you can find out more information here.

Further information

Time: The walk will start promptly at 11.30am and will last approximately 75 minutes.
Meeting point: Outside Exit 5 of Westminster Underground Station.
Weather: The walking tour will take place regardless of weather conditions, so please do wear sensible shoes and dress accordingly.
Price: There is a concessionary rate of £10 for this tour for Hansard Society members; £15 for non-members of the Society.
Cancellation: Cancellations made within 24 hours of booking are fully refundable. After 24 hours of the booking date, all tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled.

Our members form a valuable network of people who care about Parliament, public life and politics and want our parliamentary institutions to prosper in the future.

Learn more about our membership options.

Latest / Highlights

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 27-31 October 2025

The Attorney General, the Chief Secretary to the PM and the Head of the Crown Prosecution Service will face questions after the collapse of the China spying case. Nigel Farage plans to introduce a Bill to withdraw from the ECHR. MPs will question Yvette Cooper and Pat McFadden, and debate property service charges and end-of-life care. The Conservatives will choose Tuesday’s Opposition Day topic. In the Lords, Peers will debate Ukraine and hear from the Justice Minister and hospice and care sector representatives on the assisted dying bill. The Victims and Courts Bill and the Sentencing Bill have their final Commons stages, while in the Lords the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Employment Rights Bill face further scrutiny.

News / Parliament vs. Prince Andrew - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 111

This week, we explore how far Parliament can go in holding members of the Royal Family to account, as pressure grows for MPs to scrutinise Prince Andrew’s finances and royal titles. We ask whether Nigel Farage should get a right of reply at Prime Minister’s Questions amid his growing prominence, and examine Labour’s reshuffle of select committee posts and calls for greater transparency in how they’re filled. Plus, a look back at the rebuilding of the House of Commons Chamber, 75 years after its postwar reopening. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

News / Parliament’s spying scandal: Why was the China case dropped? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 110

It’s been a tumultuous week in Westminster, with three ministerial statements on the China spying case and fresh questions about the collapse of charges against two alleged spies. We are joined by Cambridge public law expert Professor Mark Elliott to untangle the legal and political fallout, from espionage claims inside MPs’ offices to confusion over whether China was ever designated an “enemy state.” We also explore looming government challenges — the Budget, Afghan data leak, local election setbacks — and the membership of the new Select Committee to consider the assisted dying legislation in the House of Lords. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

Briefings / Assisted dying - The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Rolling news

Stay informed with updates and analysis on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as it moves through Parliament. Learn about the debates, procedures, decisions, and key milestones shaping the assisted dying legislation.

News / What are the Usual Channels? A short history of Westminster whipping - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 108

In this episode, we talk to political journalist Seb Whale about his new book, The Usual Channels, which reveals the hidden world of Westminster’s whips. Seb charts how party discipline has evolved – from the stormy politics of the 1970s and the Maastricht battles of the 1990s to the legendary “black book,” the Brexit showdowns and the short-lived Liz Truss premiership. He explains how the whips’ office has adapted to a modern Parliament – especially with the influx of women MPs – and why, even today, whips still wield decisive influence over MPs’ careers and remain indispensable despite the pressures of contemporary politics. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.