Learn with the Lords: A Visit from Baroness Young of Old Scone

Earlier this month, A Level Politics and Law students had the opportunity to take part in a Learn with the Lords session, welcoming Baroness Young of Old Scone (pronounced “Scoon”, not “Scon”) to speak about her experiences and answer questions about politics, the environment, and life in the House of Lords. At times, the Baroness even brought a few laughs, apologising when the lunch bell went, saying, “sorry you have to starve because of me.” Similarly, when referring to the wall of Secretary of State portraits, she declared them to be “not dissimilar from this wall of mugshots,” followed by a look around the theatre.

Baroness Young began by explaining how she came to join the House of Lords – nominated by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997, although she admitted it took her three weeks to decide whether to accept the position. She spoke candidly about her views on the Lords, saying she believes the House should be smaller and have a set retirement age. She also acknowledged the challenges of working in such a large and sometimes outdated institution, often describing herself as “a small cog in a big wheel.”

Much of her work focuses on the environment and support for young people facing long-term challenges. She was instrumental in ensuring that key EU environmental protections were carried over into UK law following Brexit, and is now part of a group advising the government on ways to reduce carbon emissions.

During a thoughtful and wide-ranging Q&A session, students raised several important issues. On climate change, the Baroness encouraged young people to stay engaged and active, reminding them that it is their generation who will live with the consequences. “You’ll inherit this mess,” she said, “so your voice matters.”

She also expressed strong support for lowering the voting age to 16, particularly after witnessing the positive impact of youth involvement in Scottish politics. Her advice to young people looking to get involved in political life was practical: take part in school councils, volunteer with local parties, ask questions, and join clubs – even sports teams – to build communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

Other questions touched on topics including the housing crisis, the role of AI, difficulties with driving tests, and the standards of behaviour expected in the House of Lords. When she asked students if they thought the Lords should be abolished, most agreed that it needed reform, but not removal – a response she found encouraging.

The session ended with several students staying behind to ask more questions and take photos with the Baroness, who was generous with her time and clearly enjoyed the lively discussion.

It was a fascinating insight into the realities of political life and a reminder that meaningful change often begins with asking the right questions – something our students did exceptionally well.