Visits to the Houses of Parliament by constituents
Visits to the Houses of Parliament by individual constituents can be organised by contacting my office up to six months in advance of the planned visit. You can also contact the Visits Office if you wish to visit within the next month. Official tours are free of charge for UK residents and last around 75 minutes.
During this 75-minute tour, your guide will:
- explain the work of UK Parliament and its relevance today
- outline how the working spaces you visit on the tour are used
- set out ways you can get involved and engage with the democratic process
- highlight some of the dramatic history of the Palace of Westminster
These free guided tours are not available on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
To arrange a visit simply email my office. If requested I will always endeavour to meet visitations from the constituency to Westminster and appreciate as much notice as possible to ensure I can be available.
If your planned visit is within a month please contact the Visits Office directly for a late booking place.
School visits
The Parliamentary Education Centre provide an excellent service to support schools visiting Houses of Parliament.
Educational visits by schools and community groups may be eligible for subsidised transport. For Oldham West & Royton you may receive support of 50% of your travel costs up to £800 per group visit.
I will always endeavour to meet visitations from the constituency to Westminster and appreciate as much notice as possible to ensure I can be available.
Tickets for Prime Minister’s Questions & Other Debates
Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) takes place every Wednesday from 12.00-12.30pm (or thereabouts) when the House is sitting.
Each MP is allocated three pairs of tickets per year. Ticket bookings are strictly limited to two tickets per session.
Other visits to Parliament
MPs can host other visits by groups or individuals to Houses of Parliament though they are limited in number because they can take a significant amount of time to organise and facilitate properly.
No charge will ever be made or accepted for visits to the Houses of Parliament when booked through your MP although you will have to pay your own out of pocket expenses such as transport.
Constituency visits
MP’s are always keen to visit schools, community organisations, local business and events in the constituency. There isn’t a definitive list of places where MP’s can visit because they act as ambassadors for the whole constituency.
Requests may be declined if visits are requested to events or venues which are thought, in the opinion of the MP to be inappropriate.
Constituency visits will usually be arranged on Fridays and Saturdays when Parliament sits, and throughout Recess. Dates will be provided when you write in.
Donations to good causes
You can request a contribution in support of local charities and good causes in the form of a raffle or auction prize. These are paid for personally by the MP.
Common good cause donations include House of Commons branded gifts such as chocolates, tea and biscuits, wine or whiskey. Seasonal options may also be able such as Christmas tree decorations.
Please give as much notice as possible as gifts are usually purchased on request and brought back from the Houses of Parliament to the constituency.
To request a good cause donation please email giving details of your organisation, the event taking place, and any other considerations, for instance food suitability, age suitability, and/or any preferences.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 