Staffers: Should you be one?

"Go for it. Apply for whatever you can and get your foot in the door. You won't regret it."

Parliamentary staffers quietly keep the wheels of democracy turning in the background. The majority of them are fresh-faced graduates experiencing their first taste of working life outside of university, spending the day figuring out if someone is "Honourable" or "Right Honourable" and trying to explain the answer to their non-politico mates.

There are loads of them as well, and everyone knows each other. According to the almighty IPSA (Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority), in 2023 there were around 3,500 staffers working for MPs. Not all of those will be in Westminster - many will be at the constituency coalface - but for those who are, it is a very welcoming community.

London staffers working for politicians across the political spectrum all come together with shared stories, warm greetings in the corridor and gentle jokes about if it was a big night at the Red Lion on Thursday. On that last point, you can normally tell by how big their meat wrap is.

I genuinely loved it and the social atmosphere made up for the isolation of the pandemic years. After two years it's common to start considering your next steps and look at pastures new, with the hope of using what you've learnt to benefit the causes you care about. Many never return to work for MPs again. Pexit (parliamentary exit) really does mean Pexit.

Over the last couple of weeks we've looked at different aspects of what parliamentary life is like to the point of Pexit; varied, exciting, stressful, rewarding and weird all at the same time. Why have I been writing about this? Partly because I think it's a really interesting aspect of British politics, but also to explore what exactly their role is in the country's democratic process.

I'd boil it down to two answers. Counsel and capacity.

Staffers are the go-to folks for MPs needing a trusted ear. With their help, MPs can hash out ideas about Westminster Hall debates, vent about casework headaches, and even share a laugh about the latest water leak in the Commons. It allows them to think through tricky issues and make tough calls without worrying about their private ponderings being picked up by those with ulterior motives. This is especially important at moments of political regicide - I watched two PMs leave 10 Downing Street during my first six months in Parliament. Makes House of Cards look tame.

They also play a vital role in creating capacity for busy MPs, who have to swim through a sea of responsibilities and duties without drowning. IPSA has its job descriptions, but in all honesty you just do what you need to do to help the boss. Research, emails, letters, collecting a forgotten coat, providing tours of the estate and hoping what you're saying is historically accurate (for those who know the Henry VIII tennis ball story). If you can take the pressure off, you're doing your job right. For me, this included commandeering a bus one afternoon.

However, all of this does sadly come with abuse at times. I was the lucky winner of some zingers, including being called a useless sack of sh*t after speaking with someone on the phone for just 30 seconds. Because staffers are behind-the-scenes operators, these issues aren't regularly discussed in public but more does need to be done. It's important to note that Sir Lindsay Hoyle won the hearts of staffers with his approach to their wellbeing. Thank you Chorley legend.

I now close this series with some words of encouragement for those looking at Westminster life and thinking they'd like to have a go. Just do it. Work experience, internships, a part-time job. Apply for whatever you can and get your foot in the door. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you'll make friends and contacts you can rely on for life (he says in his twenties).

And remember. Do not get a black pudding in your meat wrap. Swap it for an egg - you might even get two.