So far I have stood in two MP selections and on both occasions I did not even make it to the shortlist.
I thought I had put together a good application, but unfortunately my paragraph on how I had a link to the area was difficult, given I had not even been there before! However, I expected that it might be a seat with few applications and my aim was to get on the shortlist and go through the process of speaking to members, getting grilled with questions and giving the speech at the selection meeting.
It would have been excellent experience for a future more plausible attempt at selection.
Ultimately they picked a former leader of their local district council and also the former leader of the borough council to battle it out in what will be a very winnable seat so I could not really complain at missing out.
As a side point there were only thirteen applications to one of the seats in the end which really surprised me.
When young people ask questions it is invariably "How do you become an MP?" Firstly you must be selected as a candidate, which is not easy, as many people feel suited to standing with strong CVs.
There are many routes to going for selection but first you need to get selected.
Here is how many politicians prepare themselves for selection: For the purpose of this discussion we will assume that the seat you are aiming to be selected for is either very winnable or a safe seat.
1.
PPE Oxbridge This is an intriguing route for me.
Politics, Philosophy and Economics grads from Oxford and Cambridge go straight to Westminster as either parliamentary researchers or for the very best and clever, the highly competitive Civil Service Fast Stream which opens lots of doors for becoming a SPAD and getting the coveted approval from the highly ranking MPs themselves and also the party NEC.
The problem with this route is that you are likely never to have had any experience in the real world and private sector.
Also you are likely to be "parachuted" into a seat the party would like you to win which can be met with a disgruntled response from the local CLP.
You will need all of your skills to convince them you are not just another SPAD who does not care about their needs over your own career.
When you are looking at the disillusionment the public have with politics, I believe there is an element of unhappiness at the world of politics appearing elitist, which holds weight when you consider many of the Labour MPs are also products of the Oxbridge system.
However, consider that politicians are already seen as different, perhaps the PPE route will be less desirable in the future as politicians seek to re-engage with their communities.
2.
Trade Union Background There will always be room for good candidates with a history of trade union activity.
This proves the individual has a care for their colleagues and a willingness to fight for their conditions and shout for fairness and justice.
These are essential qualities for elected representatives.
The financial backing of the unions to help fund your campaign is very important too as fundraising is difficult and to call all of the members and ask for their support in selections, getting to know them and printing flyers can be expensive.
Once selected, the funding for your campaign will often be generously provided too and this reduces the strain on your constituency party.
3.
Local Party Hero / Local Authority I have not done any large research into this area, but there certainly seems to be a move towards choosing a candidate entrenched in the area, close to their CLP and someone who is known to have ability and who the CLP (the constituency party members do vote at the end of the day) trust will represent the area the best.
Selections are a difficult time for a constituency party.
It is probably the biggest decision that the members face to pick an individual to contest a seat and selecting a candidate cannot be addressed without good cause for at least one parliamentary term and even then it is very rare for an MP to be deselected.
You must be a popular member of the local party but do not think that delivering 50,000 leaflets a week will guarantee selection.
You must be proficient politically, look at becoming a local councillor to learn about representing your local area and dealing with the various difficulties involved in becoming an elected representative.
You may find that parliament holds no allure for you when you begin life as a councillor and working in your local area, the only problem is that it is not paid well and whatever you think about the pay of MPs, we all have bills to pay and things to buy.
So there you go.
It's something I'd quite like to do but I do not covet it as strongly as others.
I believe you have to enjoy your life and if you cannot do so without being an MP something is badly wrong.
Starting young helps, I am 30 and already doing reasonably well in the local party so as time goes by I expect that this experience will help build my reputation as a committed party member and give me options in the future if I have the time to put more effort in.
One final thought for you ambitious politicos is to look at the bigger picture.
Self-interest is fine but the party must come first.
In our upcoming unitary selections, it is plausible that I will be unable to stand in my preferred wards for election.
Whatever the outcome of selections if you demonstrate that you are a good party member and team player, despite suffering a personal setback, you will gain respect by showing maturity.
Keep going and try again next time, there are always selections to go for and different routes you can take to make a difference.
I thought I had put together a good application, but unfortunately my paragraph on how I had a link to the area was difficult, given I had not even been there before! However, I expected that it might be a seat with few applications and my aim was to get on the shortlist and go through the process of speaking to members, getting grilled with questions and giving the speech at the selection meeting.
It would have been excellent experience for a future more plausible attempt at selection.
Ultimately they picked a former leader of their local district council and also the former leader of the borough council to battle it out in what will be a very winnable seat so I could not really complain at missing out.
As a side point there were only thirteen applications to one of the seats in the end which really surprised me.
When young people ask questions it is invariably "How do you become an MP?" Firstly you must be selected as a candidate, which is not easy, as many people feel suited to standing with strong CVs.
There are many routes to going for selection but first you need to get selected.
Here is how many politicians prepare themselves for selection: For the purpose of this discussion we will assume that the seat you are aiming to be selected for is either very winnable or a safe seat.
1.
PPE Oxbridge This is an intriguing route for me.
Politics, Philosophy and Economics grads from Oxford and Cambridge go straight to Westminster as either parliamentary researchers or for the very best and clever, the highly competitive Civil Service Fast Stream which opens lots of doors for becoming a SPAD and getting the coveted approval from the highly ranking MPs themselves and also the party NEC.
The problem with this route is that you are likely never to have had any experience in the real world and private sector.
Also you are likely to be "parachuted" into a seat the party would like you to win which can be met with a disgruntled response from the local CLP.
You will need all of your skills to convince them you are not just another SPAD who does not care about their needs over your own career.
When you are looking at the disillusionment the public have with politics, I believe there is an element of unhappiness at the world of politics appearing elitist, which holds weight when you consider many of the Labour MPs are also products of the Oxbridge system.
However, consider that politicians are already seen as different, perhaps the PPE route will be less desirable in the future as politicians seek to re-engage with their communities.
2.
Trade Union Background There will always be room for good candidates with a history of trade union activity.
This proves the individual has a care for their colleagues and a willingness to fight for their conditions and shout for fairness and justice.
These are essential qualities for elected representatives.
The financial backing of the unions to help fund your campaign is very important too as fundraising is difficult and to call all of the members and ask for their support in selections, getting to know them and printing flyers can be expensive.
Once selected, the funding for your campaign will often be generously provided too and this reduces the strain on your constituency party.
3.
Local Party Hero / Local Authority I have not done any large research into this area, but there certainly seems to be a move towards choosing a candidate entrenched in the area, close to their CLP and someone who is known to have ability and who the CLP (the constituency party members do vote at the end of the day) trust will represent the area the best.
Selections are a difficult time for a constituency party.
It is probably the biggest decision that the members face to pick an individual to contest a seat and selecting a candidate cannot be addressed without good cause for at least one parliamentary term and even then it is very rare for an MP to be deselected.
You must be a popular member of the local party but do not think that delivering 50,000 leaflets a week will guarantee selection.
You must be proficient politically, look at becoming a local councillor to learn about representing your local area and dealing with the various difficulties involved in becoming an elected representative.
You may find that parliament holds no allure for you when you begin life as a councillor and working in your local area, the only problem is that it is not paid well and whatever you think about the pay of MPs, we all have bills to pay and things to buy.
So there you go.
It's something I'd quite like to do but I do not covet it as strongly as others.
I believe you have to enjoy your life and if you cannot do so without being an MP something is badly wrong.
Starting young helps, I am 30 and already doing reasonably well in the local party so as time goes by I expect that this experience will help build my reputation as a committed party member and give me options in the future if I have the time to put more effort in.
One final thought for you ambitious politicos is to look at the bigger picture.
Self-interest is fine but the party must come first.
In our upcoming unitary selections, it is plausible that I will be unable to stand in my preferred wards for election.
Whatever the outcome of selections if you demonstrate that you are a good party member and team player, despite suffering a personal setback, you will gain respect by showing maturity.
Keep going and try again next time, there are always selections to go for and different routes you can take to make a difference.