My Experience I’m doing my work experience with Michael Tomlinson, and his group.
Within my time of having had the opportunity to work for Michael Tomlinson and his workers, I have come to experience more than what I originally thought I would experience. When I first applied to do my work experience with Michael Tomlinson, I did expect for it to be a lot of paperwork and a lot of sitting in my seat doing nothing, but surprisingly I could not have been more wrong. The problem is when young people who are my age hear the words ‘Conservative’ or ‘Tory’ its instantly associated with boring or bad, but my experience with getting the privilege to work here says otherwise.
To begin with it, on my first day of working we were welcomed and introduced to the working area by Frances and Laura who were very lovely, and overtime, you get to speak to them as you are working, and they do really allow you to both enjoy your time there, whilst doing work at the same time. However, in terms of work we did, it was plentiful, there was never a moment were there was nothing to do, and it was very organized. We covered work that They would usually do as workers anyway, so at no point we were being subjugated to do any work that they would not do themselves, so it gave a good feeling of equal treatment, which is incredibly reassuring in the workplace. This is why, whilst working, we mainly covered work on constituents, emails from constituents and general pieces to do with the area, as well as conversations about the area, our opinions and what we think about the current political situation, and no opinion was a wrong opinion.
The second day was easily the most memorable, as with the great organizational skills of Michael Tomlinson and his group we got to go to London and visit parliament, and whilst there we got a tour from another one of the members of Michaels group, Simon. As well as this we got to visit the house of Lords and soon after were taken to the house of commons where we got to both watch a Live PMQ which was incredibly eventful and managed to watch a petition debate on student work experience and qualifications which was incredibly relevant to us. Then to finish the day, we also got the chance to meet and greet with Michael Tomlinson, and got a brilliant photo with him, and whilst meeting with him, I asked him “How would you become a MP” to which he gave me a full proper response, and I felt that was incredibly beneficial to me, and I found it very useful.
The next day we returned back to the office (which I forgot to mention, is in probably one of the most picturesque spots in the county). After having returned, our work was similar, but also different to what we had done on the first day, filled with work, talk and laughter, and talk about how the PMQs went. I think what I had liked most about getting to work with Michaels team is that even though I had just met them, they actively pursued conversation and engagement which I thought was incredible and really did add another level of enjoyment to my time there. Then to finish the day off, we were told we would be having a debate the next day, were we would attempt to simulate it like a petitions debate which was really good, as it gave us a full perspective as to what it’s like.
Then to conclude our last day working with Michael Tomlinson’s group, we were given an extra hour to gather more information and then went onto our debate, which was pretty good, and unfortunately after and even during that caused time to fly by. Followed up from this, we did a bit more work for the constituents, and after 45 minutes of that, we then went onto some fun creative “make your own cabinet work” which I massively enjoyed. And really allowed us to some up all if the work and fun we have had whilst working here, and overall, I can say it was a massive privilege, and if I’m being fully honest, I am even considering joining up to the conservative party and coming back during my summer holiday to take part in some voluntary work, as I would not mind in the slightest doing some more work here. To conclude my point, I would very much recommend coming here for your work experience, I have mates going of to work in other places, and being bored out of there minds, but this is something I am going to remember forever, and was so good, believe it has allowed to confirm that this is the line of work I want to pursue.