By Taha Malik
Going into this internship, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had a rough idea of hoping to see what politics is about and get a show of how an MP works and how they help their constituents. I knew parliament/politics would be fast paced, and did half-expect to be mostly shadowing the team and watching from the sidelines.
Instead, I was given real responsibility right from my very first week, and that hands-on approach made all the difference.
Rather than just observing, I was integrated directly into the daily workings of the office. My work included bridging the gap between the issues local constituents had with the various government departments in Whitehall, and handling communications between constituents and central government. I assisted with various issues ranging from housing, health and asylum, which gave me a clear, practical view of how ministerial offices, civil servants, and parliamentary teams coordinate behind the scenes.
On the comms side, I was tasked with drafting official press releases. This really pushed me to sharpen my writing, making sure I was accurate, concise, and aligned with priorities while moving quickly. With social media now being an important factor in politicians’ popularity/engagement, I recorded and edited two social media videos for Satvir, and in the process learnt how to effectively use CapCut to develop core social media skills in a changing political landscape.
At the more “grassroots” level, I attended a constituent coffee morning, listening directly to residents talk to a panel about issues like ASB and Crime. Being able to take those genuine concerns and help turn them into actionable briefings for the team showed me just how vital the connection is between the locals and parliament. I also went canvassing and door knocking, speaking directly with residents to see how we can assist them with any issues they may be facing. All of this showed me every aspect of politics from writing to different government departments, the comms side, and arguably the most important side, engaging with the people to see how they can be helped by their MP and letting them know that their elected representative is actively seeking to help them.
What I enjoyed most about the experience was the environment of high trust and speed. Working alongside the team taught me how to stay calm, execute tasks quickly, and in general deliver under deadlines. Knowing that the team could hand me a task and rely on me to get it done cleanly felt very rewarding.
Beyond the technical skills, the biggest impact this internship had on me was a massive boost in my personal confidence. Walking into environments like the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street, as well as working with an MP can feel intimidating at first given the impact the work has on people, but day-by-day doing the work successfully changes that mindset.
Looking back, this 4-week long internship completely exceeded my expectations. It hasn’t just given me practical insights into governance and politics in general; it’s given me the confidence, clarity, and drive I need as I head into my final year of Law, and look toward a future career whether that be in public service or in Law.
I’d just like to thank the whole team, from the very first interview till the end, the team has been so welcoming and so fun to work with, which just makes the internship so much better and made sure that I saw every aspect of all the work the office does!