FORMER chairman of the Conservative Party and key member of Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet, Lord Parkinson, gave a talk to students at a Harpenden school on a recent visit.

He was the guest of Roundwood Park School where he discussed the life of a politician and the sometimes turbulent journey which ensues.

He expressed his passion for politics, even though going into it was unintentional, and gave advice to budding politicians in the audience.

Lord Parkinson also took questions on current political affairs and retrospective dilemmas.

A2 government and politics student, Holly Gibson, described the talk as “very interesting” and added: “Hearing from someone first hand the exciting life of a politician has fuelled me with a desire to learn more.”