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How to become an MP

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Career progression and salary expectations for an MP

The average starting salary for an MP can vary.

The role of an MP

What does an MP do?

Do you love watching Prime Minister's Question Time? Are you always up for a debate on your political beliefs? Then you could be the ideal Member of Parliament (MP).

There is an MP for each of the UK's local constituencies and they are tasked with representing the views of their residents in the House of Commons.

To become an MP, you could be elected at either a general election or a local by-election and your typical responsibilities would include:

Going to sessions in Parliament
Raising questions and being part of debates
Voting to decide on whether or not new laws will be passed
Meeting with local residents to discuss community issues
Providing interviews to local and national media
Staying up-to-date with both local and national issues

Is a career as an MP right for me?

To be an MP, you have to be over-18 and a British citizen, plus there's the small matter of getting elected in the first place. To succeed, you have to be nominated by ten parliamentary electors within your constituency and then, perhaps unsurprisingly, win the most votes. Long hours, and frequent travel to London are also prerequisites for MPs.

A good MP will also need to be:

Passionate about politics
Thick-skinned
Confident about public speaking
Patience
Persuasive
Persistent
Able to work under pressure

What's it like to be an MP?

"My favourite part of the job is being able to make a difference, whether that's getting to meet lots of local people and giving a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard, or debating during Parliamentary sessions to express your opinions on issues that could effect the whole country. If you want to make a difference to your community, not many careers come close."

Get qualified as an MP

A Politics degree may help, but is not essential for this role. Your commitment to your party and the policies at hand is generally more important than formal qualifications. Previous experience within political societies, working as an MP Support Officer, or another position within local government bodies could stand you in good stead, but are not necessarily prerequisites.

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