Rachel Craig, 16, from East Linton, and Rhiordan Langan-Fortune, 17, from Aberlady, got a taste of political life last Thursday and Friday (19 and 20 July 2012) when they worked alongside local parliamentarians Fiona O’Donnell and Iain Gray.
Rachel, who attends Dunbar Grammar, and Rhiordan, a pupil at North Berwick High, were both eager to learn about working in a parliamentary office having written separately to East Lothian’s MP and MSP to request work experience.
Over their two days of work experience, the pair assisted with a roving surgery in Port Seton as well as supermarket surgeries in North Berwick and Haddington; and they also learned about the casework and research that is completed by politicians and their staff.
On completing her work experience, Rachel said:
“I’m really grateful that Fiona and Iain accepted my request for work experience. I’m really interested in helping those in need and so was particularly keen to learn about Fiona’s involvement in the East Lothian Food Bank project and her appointment to Parliament’s International Development Committee.”
Rhiordan added:
“Like Rachel, I’m also really grateful. The experience gave me a real insight into the work of politicians and their staff – from local casework to national policy. I don’t think there would ever be two days that are the same.”
Fiona said:
“It was terrific to work alongside Rachel and Rhiordan. They’ve said that they learnt a lot about the work of a constituency politician, but Iain and I have been really pleased to learn more about the issues that concern young people in East Lothian.”
Iain added:
“I’m always delighted to meet young people who are engaged in and concerned about their local community. It was therefore a pleasure to have Rachel and Rhiordan in the office. They are both a credit to themselves, their families and their schools, and I’m sure they both have bright futures ahead.”
ENDS
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