Member of parliament (mp) Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

MPs are elected by members of the public in their constituency. This is either done at a general election (usually held every four or five years), or at a local by-election if a seat becomes vacant at any other time. Most MPs are members of a political party, although a few stand for election independently.

As an MP you would represent your constituency's interests in parliament when new laws or issues are debated. You would also need to reflect your party's views and policies. Your work would involve:

• attending sessions in parliament
• debating issues and raising questions in parliament
• voting on new laws and policies
• sitting on committees and attending meetings and conferences
• holding surgeries and advice sessions in your constituency
• taking up constituents’ issues and concerns with relevant ministers
• studying reports and research on relevant issues
• making speeches
• giving interviews to the media.

With experience, you could hold a position of responsibility, such as being a government minister or party spokesperson.

Hours

Your working hours Monday to Friday could be very long when in parliament. Core hours in the House of Commons are until 10pm on some evenings, and parliamentary debates sometimes continue into the night.

Many MPs choose to live in London during the week when parliament is sitting, and travel to their constituency one day a week or at weekends. Parliament regularly breaks for recess and has a long summer break, so you would usually spend more time in your constituency at these times.

You would have office bases at parliament and also in your constituency. You may also spend a lot of time travelling around the UK and possibly overseas.

Income

An MP's basic salary is £65,738 a year, plus expenses to cover staffing, travel and accommodation.

Additional payments are made for extra responsibilities such as chairing committees, or being a party whip or cabinet minister.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To be able to stand as an MP, you must be at least 18, and be a citizen of Britain, a Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland. Your commitment to your political party or issue is more important than formal qualifications. Most people show their commitment through campaigning and volunteering for their party.

You may have an advantage with a background as a researcher or caseworker for an MP. Other useful experience can come from:

• serving as a local councillor
• being active in a trade union
• being involved in student politics.

You must gain the support of your local party members and be authorised by your party’s nominating officer before you can become the prospective parliamentary candidate for your constituency. The major political parties have tough selection procedures. Alternatively, you could stand as an independent candidate or have no description.

To stand for election, you must submit nomination papers signed by at least ten electors from the constituency you wish to represent. You must also pay a £500 deposit (which is returned to you if you gain more than five per cent of the total votes at the election).

Certain people are disqualified from standing as an MP - please check the Electoral Commission website for further details.

• Electoral Commission

Once you have been nominated, you must be democratically elected to become a member of parliament. This usually involves an intensive campaigning period which includes meeting constituents, making speeches and talking to the local media.

Training and development

Most of your training would take place on the job after you were elected. You would be supported by party whips (senior MPs responsible for making sure all party members vote) and other experienced MPs.

You may be able to attend training workshops covering subjects like presentation and communication skills, dealing with the media, and election procedures.

You should also take responsibility for your own development and keep up to date with current affairs by reading journals, magazines and newspapers.

Skills and knowledge

To be an MP you should have:

• motivation, determination and commitment
• strong political and social beliefs
• the desire to represent the people in your constituency
• excellent communication skills and public speaking ability
• the ability to persuade and motivate people
• confidence and decisiveness
• problem-solving ability
• an interest in current affairs and social and economic issues
• the ability to work under pressure.

More information

House of Commons
Information Office
London
SW1A 2TT
Tel: 020 7219 4272
www.parliament.uk

Northern Ireland Assembly
Communications Office
Northern Ireland Assembly
Parliament Buildings
Ballymiscaw
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3XX
Tel: 028 9052 1137
Fax: 028 9052 1961
email: info.office@niassembly.gov.uk
www.niassembly.gov.uk

National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1NA
Tel: 0845 010 5500
email: assembly.info@wales.gov.uk
www.wales.gov.uk
www.wales.gov.uk

Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Tel: 0845 278 1999
www.scottish.parliament.uk

Skills for Justice
Centre Court
Atlas Way
Sheffield
S4 7QQ

Opportunities

One MP represents each of the 650 constituencies in the UK at Westminster. Representatives are also elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, Northern Ireland Assembly, and the European Parliament based in Brussels and Strasbourg.

With experience, you could take on extra responsibilities such as chairing committees, and progress to more senior positions in your party, such as party whip or even leader.

If your party was in power, you could progress from junior minister in a government department, to minister and then cabinet minister. If your party was in opposition, you could be a party spokesperson on certain issues, or have responsibilities in a shadow cabinet.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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