‘But what difference can I make?’ you may well ask.  In all the years I’ve been involved in politics, this is one of the most common questions I come across. Below is my guide to getting involved, with several different options requiring various levels of commitment. In all of these areas of work within politics, it is essential to view them as equally valuable ‘callings’ or vocations. To categorise them into levels of importance is to say that some are better than others. As Christians we are called to be salt and light to the world, and to work at whatever we do in life with all our heart to bring glory to God. Have an open mind and think outside of the box and God may surprise you by the way he is able to use you. 

This list is not exhaustive. However, it is designed to get you thinking.

Join a Political Party
If you can identify which side of the political spectrum you lean towards, why not join a political party? Once a card-carrying member of a political party, the level of engagement that you opt for depends on you.  It is perfectly possible just to join the party and have a nominal input.  As a paid up member you will be supporting the party’s activity financially.

If you are not sure which party is for you, take your time to read about their beliefs and goals.  Also read their manifestos, although specific policy will change from one election to another.

It is also possible to be a member of the Christian Socialist Movement, the Conservative Christian Fellowship or the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum without being a member of the Party.  However, once you join a party the opportunities for further involvement open up…

Local Party Activist
An ideal first step is to get involved in the local branch of your party.  Depending upon where you live, there will be differing levels of local party activity.  Local parties or associations are made up of party members of all ages and from all walks of life. There are differing levels of involvement ranging from joining the party and providing financial support through to holding office within a local party or association and being responsible for the party’s activities in your area.  Most local parties or associations have regular social events and are great ways to meet other people with similar political views. It is also a really good way to get stuck into your local community.

Elected representative
Town, City, District, County, Borough, Constituency, Region… whichever level of local, regional or national government you might have the opportunity to become involved in, they all offer means of changing the area in which you live for the better. 

Candidates for elections generally represent a specific party.  Having got involved in your local party, the opportunity to stand as a local candidate may then follow.  In areas where your preferred party has control of the local authority, there is opportunity to significantly impact the way in which your local area is run.  Furthermore, being part of an effective local opposition party is also essential; it is not just national politicians who need holding to account. 

Similarly, there are opportunities to stand for election to the various regional and national assemblies – the Scottish Parliament, Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies, the House of Commons and the European Parliament. However, it is worth noting that most people start their political career at a local level. Experience counts and hard work in local politics tends to be a key step on the road to election to any position, local or national.

Working for an MP
The structure and composition of a Member of Parliament’s office varies greatly. Some run the majority of their work from the constituency, others run everything from the House of Commons, and there are those who do a mixture of both! However, they all have staff of some description; Personal Assistant, Secretary, Caseworker, Constituency Assistant, Researcher, Political Assistant, Chief of Staff, Policy Advisor…the list is endless! Working in a constituency office, or in Westminster itself is often billed as a role for a new graduate with an interest in politics, providing a perfect introduction to the workings of Parliamentary politics, and a great stepping-stone to a career in a whole host of fields. Often graduates spend only one or two years working for an MP. Some may feel a specific calling to politics for just a few years, others realise the value of political experience in the pursuit of their dream career. Yet, there are also those who believe they are called to work for an MP on a more long-term basis. There are many Christians working in Parliament, based in the offices of MPs who believe their role in politics is in serving politicians, both Christian and non-Christian. Furthermore, there are those who believe they have been placed in Parliament to support all Christians in politics, those who feel called to Parliament to pray, and those who work as staff of the Houses of Parliament and serve the many hundreds of people working within the Palace of Westminster, and see this as their vocation. God is also calling Christians to serve him in all political institutions, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the European Parliament. 

Working for a Political Party
There are a wide variety of employed positions within the different political parties. Whilst not all Christians working for the Party in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Brussels may feel that they are doing so as a result of a direct calling from God, if you believe that God uses you wherever he places you, then having Christians working in these fields is incredibly important. Whether working to support the IT network at Conservative Campaign Headquarters, working for the Labour Press Office, in the Liberal Democrat Policy Unit, or within a human resources department, all positions are vital to the working of the Party itself, and provide a valuable means to be a Christian to others working for the Party.

Think Tank
A Think Tank is an organisation or group of experts researching and advising on issues of society, science, technology, industry, or business. They seek to influence policy formation by providing research and developing ideas that could be translated into legislation, or which can be used to challenge the thinking around certain legislative areas within government. Some Think Tanks have a Christian remit. They are seeking to influence the political climate in a way that is specifically based upon Biblical principles. However, there are also those with no Christian basis. Whatever the basis of the organisation, working in this field provides yet another opportunity to bring Christian values into a further arena within politics.

www.w4mp.org - website advertising a wide range of political jobs
www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk
www.christiansinparliament.org.uk
www.susa.info

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