1.What does your job actually involve?
Georgina Kester: Day to day running of an MP’s office, research for speeches, drafting of Parliamentary questions, responding to constituents letters/emails and policy queries, organising
meetings with external lobby groups, charities, Government departments etc.
Simon Hart: In London, it involves taking part in debates on local and national issues, sitting on
legislative committees and meeting specialist interest groups. In the Constituency it
involves hosting regular surgeries, meeting local groups such as charities, councils,
police and similar; undertaking and resolving casework on behalf of individuals.
2.What previous jobs have you had?
GK:PA to Director of a racing syndicate, PA to CEO of a Lincolnshire business development group, Assistant at Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, EA to CEO of Countryside Alliance.
SH: I was a chartered surveyor for 15 years and then CEO of the Countryside Alliance.
3.What qualifications do you have?
GK:BSc Hons Equine Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Administration.
SH: Usual school qualifications and I was an Associate of the RICS.
4.How did you land your current job?
GK:By already working for the MP in his previous role!
SH:I got selected by my local Conservative Association and then campaigned hard to get
elected!
5.Is it what you expected?
GK:Yes very much so, but I was already very aware of the role and the world of politics
before I started so nothing came as much of a surprise!
SH:Better in some parts, worse in others, but otherwise yes.
6.What is the best aspect of your job?
GK:Working in Parliament and being involved during this incredibly interesting time for
politics.
SH:Having the ability to resolve problems in the constituency.
7.What is the worst aspect?
GK:Some of the appalling letters and questions we get from constituents!
SH:The work is never done.
8.What kind of person generally succeeds in your industry?
GK:Someone with efficient office skills, a good sense of humour, an interest (but not
obsession) with politics and an ability to think laterally – not all problems have an
obvious solution here.
SH:Someone with experience beyond politics, and who has patience and stamina.
9.What advice would you give to someone looking to get into your line of work?
GK:Go and do other jobs before you even consider entering the world of politics. Life
experience counts for more in this job than any political degree ever will.
SH:Work in a real job first, and don’t think you can change the world.
You need to sort out the stretched photo on the vision homepage. It makes this chap look rather wider than he probably is…