ABOUT THE UK PARLIAMENT
An online meeting with Dan Rogerson, a British Politician
“Daniel John Rogerson is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was born in Cornwall on 23 July 1975, St. Austell and grew up in Bodmin, attending Bodmin College (comprehensive school) before studying Politics at the University of Wales Aberystwyth. Whilst a student, Rogerson worked at the Proper Cornish pasty factory in Bodmin. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Cornwall from the 2005 general election until his defeat at the 2015 general election. In October 2013, he became the Liberal Democrat Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, holding the office until losing his Parliamentary seat to Conservative candidate Scott Mann. Rogerson first stood for Parliament in 2001, contesting the North East Bedfordshire seat, increasing the Liberal Democrats’ share of the vote by 2.1%.

A british politician

During the meeting via meet, which took place on March 14 and involved 4E and 4F, Dan told us about his career as a politician and his experiences, for example when he met Queen Elizabeth. It was really interesting to hear a live testimony from a member of the British Parliament and everything that goes on around it. What we found really stimulating was to listen to a native English speaker, to try to understand and interpret him, even if it was a bit difficult at first! When asked: “How did you find Queen Elizabeth?” Dan replied that he was impressed by the fact that the Queen, after greeting the guests by shaking her hand, didn’t leave but rather stayed to interact and talk to them, as if to underline the fact that she was one of them and not just the Queen of England.

Dan explained to us that he is not a big Boris Johnson fan and that he has met some members of the royal family: it was strange to talk to Dan, who has lived through these experiences himself, when the most we can do is read the newspapers and we are left with only our imagination to experience similar situations. It was an extremely interesting meeting and at times a bit complicated, but thanks to Dan it was also fun and above all educational.”

Written by Martina Bacchi and Raoin Bouraoui 4F