Parliamentary Interns. Right wing bloggers

This week has seen the issue of interns return. I have an ad for one (more on that later). The difference is this; the critics have picked the wrong person to make what is a reasonable case. Their basis in this case is just empty headed right wing politics - a Labour MP - and no more.

To be honest there is an issue over interns but with their scatter gun criticism (twitter & blog), they are tarring all MPs with the same brush. They did not contact me to find out the facts first.

Most MPs would wish to pay interns but IPSA (MP's financial watchdog) restricts MP's budgets and won't let MPs exceed them. The irony of is of course is that the right wing press (and others) wanted MP's allowances cut. They haven't thought their argument through.

As an MP I have had two interns one who I now employ. He wouldn't have got the job otherwise. He had no experience and was straight from university. He asked for an opportunity and I accepted.

The second is quite frankly laughable in the context of the article written. The criticism is that I should pay interns. As an American in London that would have been breaking the law. It would have been a breach of his visa. His placement was through an official agency. His only other option would be to waste the 16 weeks on the sofa in his residence.  To be fair, they probably slipped too quickly into a 'keyboard warrior' moment. They could have checked the facts by ringing my office. Too good a story to miss perhaps.

As an MP I dislike the unfairness of London/Parliamentary internships, not the principle of them - if done better. I wished I'd had the opportunity for one when I was young instead of writing 400 or so job applications all saying the same - no job experience, just out of uni. It is something Hyndburn needs.

The problem with parliament is you can't give anyone a chance from anywhere outside London, it's to far.  In between Nick and Greg and having for the most part it should be noted, having no intern at all, I took the opportunity to bring down three people from Hyndburn to be in Parliament for a week. To try and give them a chance and gain some insight. I know it's not a lot but it's a start.

Both Nick and Greg enjoyed the intership (as did the three young people from Hyndburn who came for work experience). A point the critics seem to shy conveniently away from. I wonder why?

Interns are informed by me that I am not their boss. That they are in the office solely for educational purposes. They can come and go as and when they please. When we are busy we would prefer it they found something else to do. They can say no to anything we ask. They must set their own diary and tasks (we don't have time). They must not do parliamentary work unless they specifically want to. They will have the opportunity to do parliamentary tasks (as in the ad) if they so wish. If that sounds like work then I want that job.

All five have said it was a brilliant and worthwhile experience. The pitfalls of the likes of Guido Fawkes and Mr Ezra are obvious so it may come as no surprise to them I adopted a policy to lay down such criteria for interns back in April.

Perhaps an apology is order...

Footnote: A Mr Steeples did attempt to publish a piece on my blog immediately after the Mr Ezra piece was published. My policy has always been to publish intelligent respectful pieces from whatever persuasion. Mr Steeples didn't meet that etiquette.