I’m interested in going into politics but I don’t have a politics degree…

Having a politics degree isn’t essential for any aspect of politics. It’s more important that you have a strong political awareness and a belief in politics as a way to effect positive change. If you are interested in standing for election as an MP or MEP, an excellent first step, particularly to get experience and get known, is to stand as a local councillor. You can find out how to do this by contacting the local branch of the party you intend to stand for.

To get a head-start in green politics, consider joining the Young Greens, the new youth arm of the Green Party which encourages young people to take action on important issues affecting the planet. If you are more interested in working for local government or a think-tank (e.g. Demos or SustainAbility), try to learn as much as you can about a broad range of political issues by attending conferences, talks, workshops and events.

Another great place to start is Parliamentary Contacts, who specialise in recruiting graduates and parliamentary researchers. They provide advice about working in politics and also run vocational training courses to enhance your skills.

Young Greens

Demos

www.demos.co.uk

SustainAbility

www.sustainability.com

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