MP

As an MP, you'll attend sessions in Parliament to:

• vote on new laws and policies
•  raise constituents’ concerns with ministers
•  debate issues and ask questions

Outside Parliament, you'll:

• talk to businesses and schools about local, national and international issues
•  speak to the media
•  attend meetings and conferences
•  hold advice sessions in your constituency

• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
• excellent verbal communication skills
• analytical thinking skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• persistence and determination
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

To stand for election, you'll need to be nominated by at least 10 electors from the constituency you wish to represent. You also need to pay a £500 deposit which you get back if you get more than 5% of the total votes in your constituency.

Some people are not allowed to be an MP, for example someone convicted of electoral fraud. You can find out more from the Electoral Commission.

You can get into this job by being elected by voters in the constituency you wish to represent.

General elections are held every 5 years, so it can take some time to become an elected MP.

With experience, you might get the opportunity to:

• take on extra responsibilities like chairing committees
•  move from junior minister to minister, then to cabinet minister if your party is in power
•  become a party whip or party leader
•  be a spokesperson on certain issues or have responsibilities in a shadow cabinet if your party is in opposition