When the long, cold winter hours on the Thames all become worth it. @henleyroyalregatta qualifying done. Next stop, The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup. (fb)

The varied and often low-key life of a backbench MP made for a fascinating talk, as Bambos Charalambous, Labour MP for Southgate and Wood Green, spoke at Westminster Horizons, in partnership with the school's newly formed Hellenic Society. Bambos referenced his background in law, his Greek Cypriot heritage, and growing up in the constituency that he is now MP for and feels closely connected to. He talked through a typical week in parliament, describing the wide spectrum of responsibilities he has, from helping his constituents deal with small, personal matters, to chairing all-party parliamentary groups on subjects such as Music Education and the Alevi Community, to campaigning on issues that matter to his community. He championed Labour’s policy to nationalise trainlines, deliver affordable housing and build an NHS fit for the future. Luke (Sixth Form, WW), said: “It was great to have Bambos Charalambous at Westminster to talk about not only his life as an MP but also his perspective as a Labour backbencher on some of the most important issues facing the Commons right now. His message of repairing the social contract between the electorate and their politicians, especially for us young people, resonated with the audience, regardless of our varied political stripes. In all, an interesting hour and a half of informal discussion from a MP representing a constituency reasonably close to our home in SW1.” (fb)