My day shadowing Ian Lucas

 I met the government minister Ian Lucas. I was able to talk in detail with the civil servants about the importance of their role. They told me how they became civil servants. I also realised the crammed and hectic lifestyle of a Minister, they have very little time for themselves. I had the opportunity to sit in a couple of his meetings/conferences; I went to meet a Citizens Advice Bureau in Hackney and to Westminster.

During the day I learnt how the political process works, in more detail that I already knew. I realised the importance of the civil service and was amazed by how much commitment it take to become an MP/Minister.

The best part of the day was visiting the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and seeing the difference the government is making. I felt that they should have been given more direction as they clearly had no financial advising. They stated 80% of their employment was voluntary because no one was able to get a job. However when they volunteered they have to go through a strict training programme and once this is complete they could work for the CAB. Once they were eligible to work for the CAB it appeared that they were employed by another corporation within two to thirteen weeks. Ian suggested that maybe they should sell the training programme to other firms; however they had no direction or idea as to how to go about this.
 

The most surprising thing about the minister’s office was amount of staff he has helping him sort out all his tasks such as emails, letters, meetings and visits.

 Becoming an MP and minister is most definitely something I am considering; I do not think I have the typical Oxbridge background of an MP. However politics is changing and we will not be voting for the typical white middle class MP anymore, this society has become more diverse. I think it all depends on what you've done to prove yourself worthy. I found the whole day educational and exciting and I am very thankful I was given the opportunity.