Expecting no response, let alone a thorough, well-organised and engaging week in Westminster, I emailed Huw Merriman with the intention of getting a better understanding of what a career in politics looks like. Corresponding with his private secretary, Frances, a week was arranged in June in which I would spend four days with Huw in Westminster and one day in his constituency office in Bexhill.
Upon arriving at Portcullis House on Monday, I was greeted by Huw and his parliamentary team, Greg and Shakira, and was immediately put at ease and made to feel welcome. In a first meeting, Huw asked me what I wanted to get out of this week. Having very little idea of what career I want to pursue, I asked to try and experience as much as I could and see as much as I could see. I was then given a useful tour of the Westminster estate by Greg and asked to start research on constituency issues, including the Rother Valley Railway project and the possibility of a Punnett’s Town road crossing. To end the day, Shakira offered to take me to the public viewing gallery in the House of Commons to watch the Prime Minister address the House on her recent visit to the G7 summit, this was the first time I’d experienced a parliamentary debate in the flesh and it was thrilling to watch.
On Tuesday, Huw asked me if I wanted to sit in on his meetings with the CEO of Gatwick Airport, Stewart Wingate, and the CEO of Network Rail, Mark Carne, in light of the recent timetabling problems on the Thameslink and Northern services. It was a privilege to be able to sit in on both meetings and my understanding of both industries was vastly improved.
On Wednesday, I was greeted with the exciting news that Huw had managed to get special gallery seating (in front of the glass screen) for Prime Ministers Questions. Huw sat with me during the session, answering any questions I had about the proceedings although, both of us were baffled after the SNP walkout despite having five questions on the question paper.
On Thursday, I was asked to create an in-depth report on the questioning to the Department of Exiting the European Union that day, and also a report on the recent EU Withdrawal Bill debate. This report was later used by Huw in an evening meeting with the Wealden Brexit Group that I was also invited to attend in Heathfield. That day I also witnessed Huw’s work with constituency primary school’s as he addressed Herstmonceux Primary School about the operations and purpose of parliament.
On Friday, I helped Huw with his constituency work in Bexhill. I sat in on his surgery, his meeting with the Head of Rural Policing for Sussex, accompanied him on his visit to a local nursery and on a television interview with South East Today.
The week itself thoroughly exceeded all of my expectations. Huw and his team were incredibly generous in the time they invested in me and the access they gave to the work of the office in Westminster and Bexhill. By the end of the week, I had gained a real insight into the broad range of activity undertaken by Huw and the hard work that he and his team put into representing the interests of his constituents in parliament. I would like to thank Huw, and extend this thanks to his parliamentary and constituency team, for an excellent work experience week.