Members of Parliament (MPs) and Local Councillors are elected officials who play important roles in representing the interests of the public. An MP represents a specific area (constituency) in the House of Commons and is responsible for debating and making national laws, raising issues affecting their constituents, and holding the government to account. MPs often spend time both in Westminster and in their local area, meeting with constituents and working on local concerns. Local Councillors, on the other hand, serve at the local government level, making decisions about local services such as education, housing, transport, and social care. They work within councils to set budgets, develop policies, and represent the views of local residents. Both roles require strong communication skills, a commitment to public service, and the ability to listen and respond to community needs. The work can be demanding and sometimes involves long hours, especially during periods of local or national elections.
There are 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons in the UK.
The basic annual salary for an MP in the UK is £86,584 as of April 2023. Additional payments are made for extra responsibilities.
Local councillors are usually paid an allowance, which varies by region but typically ranges from £7,000 to £16,000 per year, depending on the council and responsibilities.
Assists MPs or councillors by helping local residents with problems such as housing or benefits, and managing correspondence.
Supports an MP or councillor by researching policy issues, preparing briefings, and helping shape political decisions.
Works with local government or political offices to build relationships with community groups and encourage public participation in local decisions.
Start by volunteering or joining local community groups, charities, or organisations.
Getting involved in your community helps you understand local issues and meet people who are passionate about making a difference. Look for opportunities with youth councils, residents' associations, or local charity events. This experience will help you develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills that are essential for public service.
Attend local council meetings to observe how decisions are made and issues are discussed.
Most local council meetings are open to the public and provide an excellent way to see how councils function. Pay attention to how councillors debate, make decisions, and interact with residents. This will give you a better understanding of the responsibilities and challenges faced by elected officials.
Consider joining a political party to get involved in political campaigns and activities.
Most MPs and councillors are members of political parties, though you can also stand as an independent. By joining a party, you can network with others, attend training sessions, and help with election campaigns. This experience will help you understand how parties operate and what issues matter to people.
Practise speaking in public, debating, and advocating for issues you care about.
Being able to clearly express your ideas and persuade others is crucial in politics. Get involved in school debates, local youth parliaments, or similar activities. You might also consider taking courses or workshops in public speaking, leadership, or communication.
Choose whether to stand as a local councillor or for Parliament, and research the requirements.
To become a local councillor, you must be at least 18 years old and live, work, or own property in the area. To become an MP, you must be at least 18 and a British, Irish, or eligible Commonwealth citizen. Consider your experience, the issues you care about, and where you want to make a difference.
Run a campaign to communicate your ideas and persuade people to vote for you.
Campaigning involves creating leaflets, canvassing (knocking on doors), attending hustings (debates), and using social media to connect with voters. You will need to explain your views, answer questions, and listen to the concerns of your community. If elected, you will represent their interests and work to improve your area.
Political advisors provide strategic advice and support to politicians, helping them to develop policy positions, prepare for debates, and engage with the media and public.
Civil servants work in government departments, helping to implement government policies, deliver public services, and advise ministers.
Policy analysts research and evaluate public policies, providing evidence and recommendations to inform decision-making by government officials or organisations.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Member of Parliament (MP) / Local Councillor. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Member of Parliament (MP) or Local Councillor is closely related to a Local government officer because both roles are involved in public service within local governance structures. They require understanding of local policies, community needs, and administrative processes to serve their constituents effectively.
You can get into this job through:
You may need to do a degree or a job-specific qualification, depending on the department you want to work in.
Subjects include:
You'll usually need:
You could do a college course in a subject like business and administration before applying directly for this role.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do an apprenticeship. The exact apprenticeship will depend on your duties.
Examples include:
These usually take between a year and a year and a half to complete.
You'll usually need:
You could start in local government as an administrative assistant, providing support to council departments.
You could then work your way up to more senior positions through training and promotion on the job. Experience in office work would be useful.
You can apply for jobs directly if you've got the right skills and experience. Some local authorities may ask for a minimum of 4 GCSEs, A levels, or equivalent qualifications, depending on the vacancy.
For certain jobs, you may need a degree or specific professional qualification in an area like town planning or public policy.
Experience of working in customer service and using common computer packages like Word and Excel, are also valued by employers, and could help your career prospects.
You may be able to join a local authority's Local Government Graduate Programme if you've got a second class degree or higher. Most subjects are acceptable.
You could also get into this job through an internship.
You'll find details about careers in local government through the Local Government Association.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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