I was fortunate enough to be selected to shadow Jason McCartney MP for Colne Valley alongside Henry Greenwood, another Greenhead Student.This opportunity brought me to the capital and gave me an exciting chance to work inside the iconic Houses of Parliament in Westminster for the first half of the week beginning June 18, and to finish the placement back in the Yorkshire constituency. Mr McCartney's Parliamentary Assistant, Miss Florence Cheek scheduled for Henry and I to attend several debates in the Commons including Prime Ministers Questions, a chance to see Jason perform on the board for the Transport Committee and attend a few conferences with Jason present.
The much anticipated week included an educational tour round the buildings from Florence who gave historical knowledge as well as insider trivia throughout. We were able to view both legislative chambers, Committee rooms, the Terrace, Porticullis House and even David Cameron's Office. Along the way we also spotted many prominent MP's including Vince Cable, David Mitchell and David Blunkett. However for me, the highlight of the Westminster part of the week would have been the Blind Veterans UK Tea party in the Dining Room. This allowed us to be surrounded by honorable Ex Veterans including Cpl Simon Brown who shared touching responses as to why they were present in the Commons. This provided an opportunity for me to to see the crucial role MP's make into individuals lives and the difference government promotion could make to them. The informal ambiance allowed me to approach and talk to deserving service men about what they were supporting and what could be done to help them achieve their targets. In this case, it was to promote the idea of a hosting a 'Tarts for Troops' party and for all proceeds to be donated to the charity. Jason served in the RAF forces which provided him with a keen personal interest as well with the humanitarian compassion to understand what he could do to help. It was real pleasure to meet these deserving gentleman and instilled a sense of patriotism among not only me but the whole room. It was definitely a rewarding side to the job.
After the touristic element of the week was over, I traveled back up to Yorkshire on the Wednesday night to work in Holmfirth the following morning. In the constituency I met the second larger half to Jason's team. This included Secretary Jack Kempf, caseworker Stephen Daley and Chief of Staff John Travis. We were provided with two tasks to research and produce reports to inform Jason on issues concerning himself or his constituency. This was work that needed to produced to ensure that it was clearly recognized and understood by the MP as a duty for his constituency. Henry and I collaboratively produced a document on the up and coming defense jets and the unfair distribution of National Lottery Funding. It was also interesting to see the scale of issues that are raised everyday and how the MP and his team decide which are most relevant for Jason to pursue in his busy schedule.
I am extremely grateful that I was selected to shadow Jason McCartney. It exceeded all expectations
and has continued to spark my interest into the nature of British politics. It also showed me how diverse the role of MP really is. It varied from intimate meetings with a representative from British Cycling to consultations on a new Supermarket in Honley. It can only be achieved by an intensely organised schedule sometimes not finishing until just before midnight. I have thoroughly enjoyed the week to witness first hand the life of an elected British politician.
