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Wera Hobhouse MP visits ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿'s Newton Park

Friday, 16 October, 2026

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse visited ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s Newton Park campus on Friday 9 October, meeting staff and students, touring the School of Music and Performing Arts, and taking part in an event hosted by the Bath Spa Politics Society. 

During her visit, Ms Hobhouse was welcomed by Dr Matthew Lovett, Head of the School of Music and Performing Arts, who showed her the School’s music, performance and production facilities, which recently underwent a £2.5m renovation investment programme, adding top-of-the-range music technology and equipment in spaces specifically designed to develop students’ technical and professional skills. She also met with students and staff, attended classes and observed a stage combat session. 

Discussions included the role of artificial intelligence in music and the contribution of creative arts education to students’ development and future opportunities. 

Matthew Lovett said:

“It was a real honour to host Wera and her team at ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ this month, and to show her our fantastic music, performance and production facilities at Newton Park." 

“Wera has been a champion for the creative sector in Bath for many years, including independent music venues, so we know how seriously she takes the creative arts, and the opportunities that music and performance can open up for students.” 

Music and Performing Arts student Ada Tavares also shared her experience of the university’s facilities, highlighting the range of equipment available to students. She said:

“It's a really lovely space. It's open plan, so you're encouraged to dance between different areas of the space, from percussion to keys to rhythm and guitar. It's got so many facilities, and it's very intuitive.” 

Following the tour, Ms Hobhouse met with Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, Professor Georgina Andrews before joining students at a BSU Politics Society event. Georgina said:

“It was a pleasure to host Wera at Newton Park and have the opportunity to discuss some of the key issues facing the university sector, and to showcase some of the world-class facilities at BSU.”  

Students heard about Ms Hobhouse’s career and asked questions about contemporary political issues, including misinformation and disinformation, politics in the 21st century, intergenerational unfairness and public transport. 

Evan Harte, President of the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ Politics Society, said: “We were delighted to welcome and host Wera Hobhouse MP to Newton Park campus on Friday 9th October:

“It was a very insightful afternoon with Wera speaking about her career to date and answering students' wide-ranging questions, including the threats posed by mis and disinformation, the nature of politics in the 21st Century, intergenerational unfairness and, of course, buses!” 

The visit brought together the University’s creative and political communities, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with their local MP and discuss issues affecting the arts, education and wider society.