I have spent the last few weeks working as an intern within the constituency office in Bexhill and Battle. It was fascinating working alongside Frances, Craig, Joe, Penny, Henry and Ella, and observing what goes into representing a constituency of over 100,000 people. I helped with both the policy casework team and general casework team, which gave me practical insight into the actual workings of British politics.
Much of my time at the constituency office was spent conducting policy research and crafting briefs. The topics of these briefs were hugely varied, ranging from Electric vehicle infrastructure, to airport ‘stacking’, to potential reforms to private leaseholding. It gave me a far deeper appreciation for the specific policy considerations going on around our great constituency. Frances, Henry and Joe were hugely welcoming, and provided a wealth of insight and information throughout. I was struck by the sheer breadth of issues and topics that were being acted on and discussed concurrently.
The constituency office in Bexhill and Battle gave me a tangible understanding of the personal side of politics. Observing Penny and Craig in their roles as caseworkers acted as an important reminder of what it is that politics is supposed to achieve. The tireless efforts of both Penny and Craig to help the people of Bexhill and Battle, was truly inspiring. It was enlightening to see the breadth of issues that my neighbours in Bexhill and Battle struggle with, and it helped to calibrate my understanding of what issues are of the greatest concern to the people who live around me. It was also beneficial to see the interactions between national and local authorities on a range of issues, giving me a better understanding of what exactly governance is in a more regional sense. Studying politics at university places a real emphasis on macro-level politics, the big picture if you will. Spending time with Huw’s casework team highlighted to me the significant real-world implications of the policies enacted by both national and local authorities on people.
It was a real privilege to work within this great team, even if only for a short while. I am hugely grateful for the welcome provided to me by everyone in the constituency office of Huw Merriman MP. I would like to thank Frances especially for making this experience possible, and would encourage any other constituents with an interest in politics to try and organise a similar experience.
Freddie Palmer
