Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected representatives who sit in the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament. Their main responsibilities include debating and making laws, scrutinising government policies, and representing the interests of their local constituents. MPs split their time between working at Westminster in London and in their home constituencies, meeting with local residents and attending events. Local councillors, on the other hand, are elected to serve on local councils, where they make decisions about services such as education, housing, transport, and social care for their community. Both roles require excellent communication skills, a passion for public service, and the ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities. These positions can be highly rewarding, offering the chance to make a real difference in society, but they can also involve long hours, public scrutiny, and significant responsibility.
As of 2024, the basic annual salary for a Member of Parliament in the UK is £91,346.
There are 650 Members of Parliament representing constituencies across the UK.
Local councillors are generally unpaid but receive allowances to cover expenses, typically ranging from £7,000 to £16,000 per year, depending on the council.
Supports an MP by helping local residents with issues such as housing, benefits, and immigration, and assists with correspondence and research.
Works directly for an MP, helping with policy research, speech writing, administrative tasks, and communication with constituents.
Specialises in advising councillors and local government officials on specific policy areas like education, transport, or social services.
Focus on subjects such as Politics, Law, History, or Social Sciences at GCSE and A-level.
While there are no strict academic requirements to become an MP or Local Councillor, having a solid understanding of politics, government, and society is very helpful. Subjects like Politics and Law develop your analytical and communication skills, and give you insight into how decisions are made.
Volunteer in local organisations, join youth councils, or participate in school or community projects.
Active involvement in your local area helps you understand the issues faced by your community and develop essential skills such as teamwork and leadership. Many MPs and Councillors begin their careers by showing commitment to their communities through volunteering or activism.
Become a member of a political party or local group to start networking and learning about political processes.
Most MPs and Councillors are members of a political party, though you can also stand as an independent. By joining a party or organisation, you can attend meetings, help with campaigns, and begin to build a political profile. This also offers valuable mentoring and support opportunities.
Seek opportunities to assist a local Councillor or MP with casework, campaigns, or constituency surgeries.
Work experience with an elected representative helps you see first-hand what the job involves. You could help with research, correspondence, or community events. This experience is valuable for learning the practical aspects of political life.
Put yourself forward as a candidate for your local council, either as a party member or an independent.
Once you are 18 or over, you can stand for election as a Local Councillor. This is often the first step into elected office for many aspiring MPs, providing experience in campaigning, representing constituents, and making decisions on local issues.
Engage with the media, attend events, and develop your reputation as a community leader.
To be selected as a Parliamentary candidate, you need to show leadership and commitment. Raise your profile by speaking at events, writing articles, or appearing in local media. This demonstrates your dedication to your community and builds trust with potential voters.
Apply to be selected as a Parliamentary candidate by your party or register as an independent candidate.
Each political party has its own selection process for Parliamentary candidates. You will need to demonstrate your experience, values, and ability to campaign. If running as an independent, you’ll need to gather signatures and complete official paperwork.
Run as a candidate in a general election, campaigning in your chosen constituency.
Campaigning involves talking to constituents, attending debates, and sharing your ideas for the future. If you win the most votes, you will become an MP for your area. Even if unsuccessful, the experience is invaluable and can strengthen future campaigns.
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) / Local Councillor and a Local government officer both operate within the realm of local government, involving engagement with community issues, policy implementation, and public service. While MPs represent constituents at a national level and councillors at a local level, they share a common focus on local governance and civic responsibilities, making 'Local government officer' the most closely matching career title in terms of qualifications.
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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