My MP and Me

My first week in Parliament has been an absolute blast. Because of my visa restrictions I only work 3 days a week and the past 6 days of working have been an amazing experience and full of work. Most days I work on casework for my MP, responding to email that constituents have sent. One day I wrote an article on the NHS for my MP to publish in the local newspaper and on his website. What an eye-opener that was! First off, I know absolutely nothing about the UK healthcare system. Second, I didn't really know my MP's writing and speaking style. And third, I don't necessarily agree with national healthcare and my office manager looked up the article I wrote at ATR about disagreeing with Obamacare as I was writing the article - yikes! My article was finally complete and published so that was an accomplishment I was proud of after several days of stressful work.

Let me tell you a little bit about my MP because my office is very interesting. My MP happens to also be a Minister, meaning he also was appointed by the Prime Minister and the Queen to work for the Government. That being said, I'm lucky to be an office located in Westminster Palace rather than the office buildings that surround Parliament. That means I'm right down the hall from the House of Commons chamber and the Lords' chamber. Very cool! If I had to make a comparison, it would be like having an office in the actual Capitol building (like the Speaker's office is) rather than being in a House office building like Cannon or Rayburn.

Westminster Palace, the building where my office is located

The lobby of Westminster Palace. My office is located in a hallway right off this chamber.

My MP has a great taste in decor.

My MP's office. These pictures on the wall are of the Ministers that previously held his position.

My MP has a love for whiskey and Ella Fitzgerald. Needless to say, he's a great fit for me.

Books in my MP's office

My office is also very small. It's only my MP, his office manager, and me. His office is very elaborate and beautiful, but there are only 2 desks and 2 couches. My office manager sits at his desk and I sit at my MP's desk while my MP sits on the couch when he's in the office. One day my MP came in with this massive red box that looked like a huge briefcase. It turns out that every Minister carries a red box with all of his paperwork in it. It's a tradition in UK politics that I hadn't heard of before this week. This red box is incredibly heavy and apparently it's nearly impossible to destroy or open it unless you have access to it, as most of these red boxes contain very confidential information.

It's been a great week interning so far. My MP is up for reelection and hopefully throughout the semester I'll get a chance to visit his constituency and do some campaigning. It would be a neat way to experience both sides of British politics.

Lovingly,

Loren