Guardian editor Carla Flynn on talking news with the Prime Minister (From Knutsford Guardian)
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Guardian editor Carla Flynn on talking news with the Prime Minister
12:40pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News By Carla Flynn, Editor
From left, David Cameron, David Mowat, Warrington South MP, Carla Flynn, Northwich Guardian editor, Graham Evans, Weaver Vale MP, and Nicola Priest, Guardian Series Newspapers group editor
AS a journalist you get to visit some interesting places as part of your work and meet some distinguished people along the way.
But despite 25 years in the profession – Downing Street and the House of Commons have always eluded me.
So when I was offered the chance of a guided tour of the corridors of power by Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans I jumped at the chance.
And then the icing on the cake was an invitation to No 10 to meet the Prime Minister, who was meeting local newspaper editors from around the country.
“I often meet constituents here in London and show them around,” said Mr Evans, who is enjoying his first term in office.
“I also like to show school parties around the House of Commons so if any schools are interested, they should get in touch with my office.”
The House of Commons is a fabulous building where traditions are strictly upheld.
During my trip I was able to sit in the public gallery and listen to part of a defence debate – a debate that was interrupted by Tatton MP – and Chancellor – George Osborne, announcing the appointment of the new governor of the Bank of England.
Unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to ‘tweet’ this breaking news as, quite understandably, security is taken very seriously and bags and phones are banned from the chamber.
I also got a sneak preview into the House of Lords too, which is on the opposite side of the House of Commons.
A short walk down Whitehall, and my colleagues and I were going through security at Number 10.
It was a fabulous chance to glimpse inside Britain’s most famous address – very similar to how it’s portrayed in Love Actually I might add!
David Cameron was charming and seemed genuinely interested in the regions which the various visiting editors covered.
He praised the work of local and regional newspapers and commentated on how passionate newspapers are in their towns and villages. If the day wasn’t enjoyable enough, as I was leaving I bumped into the Downing Street cat on the staircase and George Osborne outside No 10.
