MP’s summer bootcamp gets young people politics-ready

Thirty young people have taken part in Alex Mayer MP’s Politics Bootcamp. 

The two-day programme was designed to lift the lid on politics, and show how budding young professionals can build a career in public service and campaigns.

Day one saw the group visit Parliament with a behind the scenes tour and a chance to watch MPs debate on the floor of the House of Commons. They heard from specialists including from the Table Office and Public Bill Office about how laws are made and discovered how a typical Westminster week unfolds.

Back in Leighton Buzzard for day two, the bootcampers tackled workshops on helping constituents through casework, problem solving, communicating with local people, and the day-to-day work of an MP’s constituency office.

One bootcamper, 20-year-old Josh from Dunstable said: "So much in Westminster occurs behind closed doors, and for those without an extensive network of parliamentarians to quiz, that can make a career in politics challenging for the simple reason that you don't know who does what and why. Alex Mayer MP's bootcamp offered an invaluable insight into the world of opportunities available for people of all backgrounds and ambitions, and demonstrated the value that each and every person in an MP's team offers to their constituents.”

Alex Mayer MP said: “It was brilliant to welcome such an engaged and enthusiastic group. They brought ideas, and real thoughtfulness to every activity they took part in. From the price of a bus ticket to the quality of the air we breathe, politics affects all our lives every day. That’s why I hope this Bootcamp has helped demystify what it’s like being an MP or working for one and shown that there are many ways to contribute to public life.”