ADRIAN SANDERS MP URGES CONSTITUENTS TO APPLY FOR SPEAKER'S PARLIAMENTARY PLACEMENTS SCHEME

In recent years, numerous studies have shown

that the creation of a host of unpaid internship positions are making

politics only accessible to the wealthy or those based in London.

The Speaker's Parliamentary Placements

scheme, launched last week, is a cross-party project created by Hazel

Blears, Labour MP for Salford and Eccles, Eric Ollerenshaw, Conservative

MP for

Lancaster and Fleetwood and Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat MP for East

Dunbartonshire, which aims to address these issues by offering 12 people

the opportunity and support to complete a paid internship in

Parliament.

The scheme hopes to attract people from

disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds, in a bid to make Parliament more

inclusive and open.

Adrian said:

"I am delighted to see the launch of the

Speaker's Parliamentary Placements scheme. It is a fantastic programme

that will open up internships in Parliament to people from ordinary

backgrounds,

and takes an important first step in making our politics more

representative of British people. I hope that people across Torbay who

are passionate about politics will consider applying."

Applications can be made on the Social Mobility Foundation's website:

www.socialmobility.org.uk.