STUDENTS were given an insight into the world of politics as they welcomed a special visitor.

Peter Symonds College was visited by Sir Geoffrey Owen, former editor of the Financial Times and current head of the economic think tank, Policy Exchange, for a lunchtime take and question and answer session earlier this month.

Speaking on the topic ‘From Thatcher through Blair to Boris Johnson: a journalist’s view of British politics since the 1980s’ Sir Geoffrey gave an analysis of three key periods of economic change in the UK – 1949, 1979 and 2008 – and an insight into how these periods have impacted on the current economic policies of the two main parties.

His talk was followed by a lively question and answer session with questions from students covering a wide range of topics, including the upcoming UK election, strengths and weaknesses of capitalism and US politics, among others.

Sir Geoffrey Owen is head of industrial policy at Policy Exchange, a UK think tank with the mission to develop and promote new policy ideas to deliver better public services, a stronger society and a more dynamic economy.

He is a former editor of the Financial Times and was knighted in 1989, and among his other achievements, he is a Visiting Professor of Practice at the LSE, and he is the author of three books.