I was delighted to host Amy Horscroft, a student from the Bexhill and Battle constituency, for a fortnight’s work experience in the House of Commons. Having undertaken work experience myself, as a 15 year old, I am a huge believer in the opportunities which this form of experience can bring. Amy has given her thoughts of her time in Parliament and politics in general. We wish Amy the very best with her degree and look forward to keeping in contact.

Amy’s article about her time in Westminster:

Before I started my work experience with Huw Merriman I was extremely excited to be involved in the team and work in Parliament but also apprehensive of what to expect and if I could be of any use to the team. However, working in Huw’s dynamic and efficient team it soon became obvious I would not be sat at the side lines throughout my experience. Throughout the course of two weeks a great deal has been achieved and accomplished. I have been working on setting up a local jobs fair, something that Huw immediately noticed in our constituency that needed to be organised. In addition to the tasks I was set, I shadowed Huw to his transport select committee meetings, helped research for Huw’s speech on pension equalisation, watched live in the Commons debates throughout the week when Huw presented his speeches on numerous occasions and witnessed a meeting with a lobbyist group.  To say the least it has been a busy couple of weeks, one that has been completely surreal and unique, and an honour to be involved in.  

While studying politics at University I have been studying a module based on British Politics. I had my own predetermined judgements and assumptions of how Parliament would be run day to day, for example the organisation and set up of select committees. During my work experience I sat in on Huw’s transport select committee about Vehicle Type Approval and the case of Volkswagen. The organisation and set up of the committee meeting was different to what I had expected and went into great depth surrounding the issue and how the problem could be solved. In addition to Huw’s select committee I also witnessed the foreign affairs select committee on the fight against ISIL: the UK’s role, a topical subject and fascinating to watch. I think that this is something so surreal about the experience, that when you are in Parliament watching live and then you come home to hear on the news something I had just witnessed first-hand that day.

Not only has this experience been truly exceptional it has reaffirmed my drive and determination for politics and hopefully one day I will be working in Parliament permanently. Finally, I am so thankful for Huw allowing me to have this experience.