Shadowing Cllr Graeme Miller

By ANDREW GRAY

When I applied to do the Cllr Shadowing Programme I was expecting to spend the full 25hrs sitting in meetings and listening to reports. However, this was not to be the case as I attended the Mayors Christmas Concert, went to London and met my Member of Parliament (MP)!

It all started with - ofcourse - the induction meeting. It took place in the Labour Party room at Sunderland Civic Centre, which was the first time I had met the Councillor I was to be Shadowing, Graeme Miller - Cllr for the Washington South council ward. During the induction meeting me and my cllr were given suggestions of what to do, and to my surprise my cllr suggested taking me to London to meet my MP!

Unfortunately, due to the train being cancelled I didn't get to meet my MP in London. However, I did still go to London and had a look around the Houses of Parliament, even having my lunch there, watching the House of Lords in session and standing in the House of Commons!
I did however still meet my MP, once at her ward surgery which was part of my shadowing programme, and again at my UK Youth Parliament election results event.

Overall I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed my time doing the Councillor Shadowing Programme, and would like to thank the Youth of Today / BYC for giving me the oppotunity to do this!