Working for an MP: A year in the House of Commons
Jozie Millwater 2011/2012 - Department of PoLIS
Summary Of Placement : I spent a year
working in the House of Commons for my
local Conservative MP, Laura Sandys. I
live in her Constituency of South Thanet,
and her London Office is located here:
“It excites world wonder in the Parliamentary countries, that we should build a chamber starting afresh, which can
only seat two thirds of its members. It is difficult to explain this to those who do not know our ways. They cannot
easily be made to understand why we consider that the intensity, passion, intimacy, informality, and spontaneity of our
debates constitute the personality of the House of Commons and endow it at once with its focus and strength”
Winston Churchill 1950
My Role in the Office
I work as both Laura’s Parliamentary Intern and
also her diary secretary.
• I organise meetings with other MPs,
Ministers, Lobbyists, Constituents, Media
and many other people who call on her for a
meeting.
• I do all National Casework letters to
constituents regarding the government’s
policy across all departments.
• I arrange (and occasionally do myself) tours
for constituents who request them through
Laura’s office (this includes organising
school trips)
• I help in the organisation of events in
Parliament, both Political and Personal,
from Chaired Discussions to Wedding
Celebrations
• I am in charge of all the stationary needs in
the Office
• I also attend parliamentary meetings on
Laura’s behalf and take notes on Policies
and Debate
Laura Sandys MP outside The Department for Energy
and Climate Change
Reasons NOT to work in Parliament:
• Pressure and Stress come with the
job – comfy shoes are advised!!
•You can never really have a schedule.
Each day is very different to the last
•Long hours are common and you rarely
leave on when you plan to.
Reasons for you to Work in Parliament:
1. You will learn in greater depath how this country is
governed – and not just what you can read in a book.
For example how policy is formulated; the relationship
between politicians and the media and the true
relationship that MPs have with their constituents.
2. You will meet new and interesting people. You will not
only occasionally bump into the David Camerons and
Ed Millibands of the world, but you will also meet
really interesting and friendly people who work behind
the scenes who tend to mostly be of the 20 – 30 age
group - you can even have a good night out in the
parliamentary estate.
3. You are never bored. One of the things I have learnt
from working with Laura is that the stereotype of a
politicians life being quite dull is entirely wrong. My
days have ranged from escorting Russian teachers
(who don’t speak English) around parliament to
helping to draft press releases after the Autumn
Statement. One day is never the same as the next.
There are many more reasons to work in the House of
Commons...but you’ll have to find these out for
yourself!
The House of Commons is Britain’s Political Core.
For anyone interested in English Politics, the House of Commons is the place to go for work experience and is the only way to truly understand the reality of policy creation. Not only
do you get to hand in questions that change our lives, but you get to be a first hand witness to the formulation of policies that will affect people all over the world, from the
smallholder farmers in Africa to the Corporate Giants in America and China.
Not only is there history to be found on every corridor of Parliament, but there is a focus on the future not only for this country, but for the world,
which I find truly inspirational.
Contact
Work Office Email: [email protected]
Work Office Number: 0207 219 8302
Bath Email: [email protected]
Personal Email: [email protected]