How to become an MP: An up-front guide

No-nonsense advice on how to get into Parliament - fast

There is going to be an election soon, and because of the expenses scandals, it seems that a large number of MPs - possibly around 100 - will be giving up their jobs. Somebody will have to replace them - and there has never been a better time for women to become MPs. Here's why...

 

Being an MP means you get an opportunity to really change the world - something that appeals to so very many of us opinionated females. And in the light of the recent expenses scandal, people are realising that that this is not a career reserved for other-worldly creatures bearing harps and angel wings. This is a job that any motivated person can aim for. The political parties are encouraging women into politics - they actively want women MPs. And even without the wild expenses that have previously gone along with the job, being an MP is still very lucrative...

 

* The salary is around £65,000.

* You can spend up to £95,000 on secretarial support - and there's nothing to stop you employing members of your family in such positions (many MPs do just this).

* There's lots of opportunity to be paid extra by working on commissions or as an advisor to industry.

* The members' dining room is cheap - you can get a fine three course meal with half a bottle of wine for about £20. There are lots of opportunities for research trips abroad.

 

Plus, money aside, don't forget that for MPs work doesn't usually start until 11am and most MPs go home on Thursday evenings - both of which are big plus points for working mothers.

 

Tempted? Here are our top tips on how to go get those letters behind your name...

 

 

TIP 1: Make sure you're eligible
If you're a police officer, a solider, an undischarged bankrupt, a judge or a civil servant, you can't apply. You also have to be a citizen of Britain or the Republic of Ireland or be a commonwealth citizen with indefinite leave to stay. Ex-convicts are welcome in Parliament, just as long as they haven't served more than a year in jail for a single offence.

 

TIP 2: Join a mainstream party
Never been a ‘party' woman before and thought you might be able to become an independent MP? It's not a brilliant way into Parliament. There is currently only one independent MP - Dr Richard Taylor was elected as MP for Wyre Forest after campaigning to save Kidderminster Hospital. But think carefully about which party you want to join. You will be expected to be able to defend the party viewpoint, on a daily basis, so you're going to have to at least sound convincing.

 

TIP 3: Find a women's group
All the major parties run schemes for getting more women into Parliament. Join one - many have conferences, information and networking sessions. The most notable are The Conservative Women's Association, Labour Women's Networks and the Liberal Democrats' Campaign for Gender Balance. Labour also has an organisation called Emily's List, providing funds for women candidates and the party even has all-women shortlists in some constituencies. Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party also encourage woman participation but don't have any formal organisation to promote this.

 

TIP 4: Get training
All the parties offer training schemes - with courses on public speaking, electoral law, broadcasting, policy and how to build a campaign. Some even have mentoring schemes, offering personal guidance from an experienced politician. Most parties have special training weekends for the most promising potential candidates.

 

TIP 5: Learn the rules
For example, the Conservatives won't let you stand until you've been a member of the party for three months and you have to attend a Parliamentary Assessment Board (this costs £250) before you can get on the list of approved candidates. Unless you know how the various parties operate, you don't stand a chance.

 

TIP 6: Make friends in high places
Georgia Gould, a 22 year old Oxford Graduate was, against all the odds, backed by the Labour Party HQ for the safe seat of Erith and Thamesmead. Was it her cheeky smile, her grasp of local politics or the fact that her dad is top Blairite Lord Gould, her mum is publisher Gail Rebuck and she had the support of minister Tessa Jowell, and Blair's PR guru Alistair Campbell?

 

TIP 7: Raise your profile
Become a school governor, join the National Trust, the Royal Horticultural Society, the Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England. Get onto the governing body of a sports organisation. Join local gardening forums or civic preservation societies. If you're standing for Labour, join a union. It all helps. Get your name into the local newspaper as often as possible.

 

TIP 8: Get involved
Join political campaigns, support other local politicians at election times. Make yourself indispensable. Try to do high-profile work, such as organising radio interviews, rather than simply stuffing envelops. Go to party conferences - these offer a great chance to make contacts. Stand up at conference, say something and try to sound sensible and/or memorable. Stand as a local councillor. Many MPs start this way. It means that you get to know party actitivists and givse you lots of speaking and policy experience.

 

TIP 9: Get on the web
Most parties have internet forums and blogs, where you can discuss policy issues. Make your presence felt.

 

TIP 10: Support obviously popular policies
Eg tougher sentences for criminals, child protection, action against terrorism. If you think that paedophiles should be pitied or marijuana legalised, keep those less popular views to yourself.

 

Finally... If you don't get the main job, remember that there are plenty of other jobs in politics which are just perfect for women. You can become a member of a think tank, a paid lobbyist, a member of the European Parliament, a member of the Welsh Assembly or a member of the Scottish Parliament - and all of these jobs will all keep you pointed in the right direction for becoming an MP, one day.

 

By Jack Shamash  

 

 

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