For the past six weeks, friends and family have asked me how my internship has been going, what’s it like to work for Parliament? I admit, I have continuously given vague, generic answers: ‘It’s going well, I like it a lot.’ I assume they’re still waiting for a real answer, and now that this is my final week in Parliament (where has the time gone?), I think I’ll try to answer what this internship has really been like for me.
First and foremost it must be said that working for Parliament has an aura of importance that never really faded for me. From the tourists snapping pictures of Big Ben and queuing up to visit where I work, to the possibility of running into a quasi-famous politician, I loved coming to Westminster for work.
But those are exterior impressions, things that anyone would notice. The impression that will really stick with me is being on the inside, being in the office able to see what is actually done on a day to day basis. To start, Gordon’s Westminster office has a staff of two: myself and a full time researcher, Sam. He arranges Gordon’s diary, writes letters and press releases, researches and briefs current events and legislation. I have been Sam’s shadow, doing whatever he needs me to do–which could be anything. Some days I’m simply typing letters that Gordon scribbles onto yellow sheets of Parliament paper in just barely legible script. There are also the stereotypical intern days when I’m doing the office busy work of photocopying, mail sorting, and typing letters. Other days I am reading through reports, collecting statistics, and reporting back to Sam if the article was interesting or worth passing on to Gordon. Still other times I am looking up names or statistics or dates of events as quickly as I can while Sam puts together power point presentations for Gordon’s next meeting or debate. I’ve searched the Internet countless times for the contact info of someone Gordon wants to speak with. To date, the most challenging person to find personal contact information for has been a writer on German savings banks. Any information on a Stephen Clarke would be greatly appreciated.
While these skills are useful–I have certainly become much better at finding credible information on the Internet as quickly as possible–the most rewarding aspect of working for Gordon has been seeing Gordon work for his constituency.
Gordon is a shadow minister for the Business, Innovation, and Skills Committee (BIS), so his issues center on skills education, apprenticeships, and regional growth. (Side note: In British politics, the opposition party forms a shadow cabinet which essentially debates issues with the official cabinet and plays a watchdog role to government legislation. If the Labour party were to come into power, their shadow cabinet would step in as the official cabinet.) Focusing on job creation is essential to his position as the MP for Blackpool. In the 1950s, Blackpool was a thriving seaside resort town but has seen tourism plummet as more of the English vacation in Europe. Blackpool isn’t a ghost town, but the economy was severely hit. Therefore, being instrumental in creating more job opportunities, for the youth and the older populations, is in large part why Gordon was elected. I can say from experience that Gordon focuses his energy on policy that will increase apprenticeship opportunities, re-education and re-skilling, and regional economic growth. Coming to work for Gordon, I didn’t have a particular interest in skills development (not such as sexy issue), but after spending six weeks reading reports and reviewing statistics I understand why skills are essential for a healthy economy. Vocational training allows for someone to make a decent wage without attending college. It keeps a strong middle class.
Apart from pushing for legislation that will help all of Blackpool, I have seen Gordon take on causes for individual constituents. He’s written a letter for a man attempting to carry the Olympic torch in 2012. He’s written to cabinet members on behalf of constituents having problems with everything from visa issues to business grant issues. If a letter comes to Westminster from his constituency, I know he will read it and do something. I like knowing elected officials (at least some) want to represent those who elected them to office.
I’ve heard we must accept that politicians will be corrupt, will philander, and I am sure some do. However, working for Gordon and with Sam has reaffirmed my belief that government is capable of working for the common good and not in constant self-interest.