I have been lucky enough to have had a week’s work experience with my local MP Huw Merriman. I had applied to hopefully get the chance to have work experience in the Houses of Parliament, as I study Politics at A-level and hope to continue it further in studying Modern History and International Relations at university.  When I was given this opportunity I jumped at the chance as I knew that it would be an amazing way to see how Parliament works without just reading a textbook.

On the Monday when I arrived in Parliament I had no idea what to expect of the week and if I had any inclinations as to what I would have done then it definitely exceeded them.  Over the week I have experienced a wide variety of different aspects of parliament, I have sat in Committee meetings, watched debates in the viewing gallery in the House of Commons, I watched Prime Minister’s Questions as well as going to meetings with Huw about specific interests in the constituency or members of charities asking for support from Huw in Parliament.  All aspects of what an MP does is interesting and it was also an eye opening experience for me, as you do not realise the work that goes into being an MP. 

Along with attending debates and shadowing Huw during the week, I was also in his office working with his Parliamentary Assistant Greg.  Greg gave me the insight as to what working for an MP was like, there was a lot of walking (not helped by the fact Huw’s staff office is 5 minutes away from the main building!) and drafting emails, researching for Huw’s different committees, making sure Huw had notes for meetings, and much more. I also spent one day in the constituency office in Bexhill, with Huw’s Constituency and Parliamentary Manager Frances and Caseworker Emily, spending the day in the Bexhill office was different to the Westminster office but still just as interesting.  I spent the day helping Emily with different case work and responding to constituents emails, as well as sitting in on the surgery Huw held with a number of constituents. 

Overall I found the whole experience an eye opening one and would definitely recommend this to anyone who has an interest in politics, I would encourage you to contact your local MP about work experience.  It really gives you an inside look as to how Parliament functions and what MPs do on a daily basis.