Big Issue vendor André Rostant reports on an historic day in the House of Lords…
A new big beast is stirring inside the Palace of Westminster.
At the end of February John Bird – founder of The Big Issue, now The Lord Bird, Baron of Notting Hill – made his maiden speech at the House Of Lords [watch below]. And today, staying true to his word, his key first act was to throw open the doors of Parliament to a gang of friends made up mostly of Big Issue vendors (around 20 in number) past and present.
“It’s a great privilege to be with people who are struggling to get out of the grief that I personally left behind many decades ago,” he said, welcoming us all.
As one might expect, there were crust-free sandwiches – coronation chicken and, of course, cucumber. Tea and coffee abounded: it tastes that much better in House of Lords crockery, on the Lords terrace, overlooking the Thames.
It’s a great privilege to be with people who are struggling to get out of the grief that I personally left behind many decades ago
Many years ago, Bird worked in the kitchen at the Palace of Westminster. He made sure to bring attention to the hard work of the staff this afternoon. “I’ve come full circle,” he said.