26 June 2012 Applications open for Parliamentary Placements Scheme
Trailblazers is delighted to support the Speaker's Parliamentary Placements scheme, and we urge anyone with a passion for politics to apply for the chance to work in Parliament.
The cross-party scheme, led by Hazel Blears MP, aims to make Parliament more representative of the public by creating a series of paid positions in Parliament for those who would normally feel that working in politics wouldn't be for them.
Each participant spends four days a week working in the Parliamentary office of an MP, and the fifth working in a variety of roles across Parliament to get a better understanding of how politics works.
It is widely accepted that Parliament and the people who work there are drawn from too narrow a pool, and this scheme aims to address this by opening up doors to those normally frozen out.
Commenting on the launch of the second year of the scheme, Bobby ancil said:
We're delighted to support the Speaker's Parliamentary Placements scheme. It is essential that opportunities are available to everyone regardless of their background, and this programme is an important step towards opening up Parliament and making our politicians more representative of the people that they serve.
We hope that Trailblazers will take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and apply to participate on the scheme.
The Speaker, John Bercow said:
I'm delighted that the first year of the Speaker's Parliamentary Placements scheme was so successful, and I am confident that it will continue to go from strength to strength. This scheme opens up Parliament to people who wouldn't normally have the chance to work here, and is vitally important in helping to make politics more representative of the public as a whole.
Hazel Blears MP's work on this is to be applauded, and the cross-party nature of the scheme explains why is has been so successful. I urge people - of all backgrounds - who are interested in politics to apply, and to take advantage of this opportunity to experience work at the heart of British politics.
The Prime Minister David Cameron said:
I believe passionately that anyone should be able to rise up in life if they have the will and the worth ethic to do so, regardless of where they are from or who they know. Anywhere there are barriers to aspiration we should be tearing them down - and that should include our own profession and our own offices.
I am delighted to support the Speaker's Parliamentary Placements Scheme, in association with the Social Mobility Foundation. The Scheme has got off to a great start and I encourage both Parliamentarians and applicants from across the country to get involved in this innovative and important initiative.
For more information on the scheme visit www.socialmobility.org.uk
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