Does anyone here work in politics?

[Ewe]

I am (hopefully, waiting for final confirmation) starting a degree in Politics and Society at the beginning of October and looking to do some part time interning/work experience/networking etc.

I do know quite a few (tory) MPs but am reluctant at this stage to pledge allegiance to any political party, so don't want to intern for an MP. Speaking to someone I know at TPA but wanting to keep all my options open at this stage and know that Mumsnet is always full of good ideas.

Do any of you have any tips or advice or know of any decent Westminster networking events? (I already attend the pubaffairs one and been to a couple of star socials).

Bump?

One more cheeky bump!

you could try internships at political consultancies?

but working for a Tory MP now might be a good move given likely status of Govt come May 2010, assuming you know of one who is going to be in line for an interesting job next year that is.

I think it's quite hard to "work in politics" without some experience of working in Parliament. It's years since I did my stint but there were plenty of non-aligned recent graduates doing internships in my day.

I'm not a Tory but I would recommend working for a tory at this point in the electoral cycle, especially if you can find one who might be a minister, however junior.

When I worked in consultancy I only ever took on two people without parliamentary experience for work experience/internship. One was ace and the other was the son of a friend of the boss (and a complete tosser).

I may be out of date .

thingone - ah yes the number of useless layabout interns I have met who were only there because of being a client's best friend's uncle's godson. Bah.

I agree with ThingOne. Paliamentary experience is often key.
Interning for an MP is not the same as pinning your flag to a certain political mast so if you already have a toe in the door then I'd say go for it.

Maybe I should just bite the tory bullet then, as the one who I could work for is likely to have a VERY good job this time next year. I just didn't know whether it would then prevent me potentially working for other organisations in future? Good to know that plenty of non aligned grads have done that to no ill effect though.

I have spoken to a couple of my friends at think tanks (and will try some consultancies and PR firms) and they think they will have some stuff for me but also suggested I go and do some work in Parliament too. It feels very weird to have to work for free!

Thanks diedandgonetodevon - that was exactly my concern, really glad it doesn't work like that!

Chance with a potential cabinet minister?Oh yes, as they used to say.