Hey I’m Tom; I had my 20th birthday in Sept. meaning I am therefore of proper student age, and not like Steph who is 22 and practically an O.A.P. The funny thing is she actually has like a “Granny” bike with a basket on the front and everything. Each to their own, I guess.
Back into the 21st century and I’m currently in my second year of studying both Public Relations & Politics at Uni. of Westminster.
Politics is everything: how much you pay for a pint (notably the most important), what clothes you wear, what you can say and what you can’t say…it’s everything. "The personal is political” sums it up quite nicely, in that we are all politically active in the sense of who we are and what we are.
For me it is the power of politics which is utterly mesmerising. The idea that you could change someone’s life for the better is fascinating. The thing about Politics is that it all comes down to communication and how things are done and how things are said. People put their trust in you to represent them, to present their ideas, their concerns and their worries.
BUT, one problem still remains…people’s perception of Politics are bad. The electoral turn-out is low, and it is clear the Youth don’t bother voting.
People feel disengaged with Politics, and that is what is so interesting.
How do we get these people on side? How do we get them interested? How do we get them to finally vote? And the only solution is Communication.
Communication is the one key aspect of politics that can never be lost. It is how MPs communicate with their constituents which determine whether they will have a job come the next general election in May 2015. It is such an exciting time to be coming into politics, and communications. General election in two years’ time, scandal after scandal – that’s one thing I guarantee – it will never ever be boring.
Every single piece of political work has been slowly crafted by a communications person. Slowly but surely, ironing out the creases to produce a document fit for a politician.
I’m surely on the political bandwagon now, and have no intention of getting off any time soon.
The idea of studying politics came in Sixth Form, when I took Government and Politics at A-level. That was all theoretical and full of 45 markers, but the practical world of politics is one of excitement, nail biting decisions and power.
I want to be Malcolm Tucker from the Thick of It, and if you haven’t watched it have a long hard look at yourself and go Google it.
I’ve done quite a lot of political work, and frankly I've loved it. In the summer, I spent my time in-between UNISON, the trade union and the office of the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls MP. I got doing a range of politician comms stuff ranging from press releases to holding meetings, and filing top-secret reports in which I can’t tell you about probably because they are top secret.
I’ve got more work planned after Xmas in Portcullis House, a massive building where policemen patrol with their rather large guns to protect the Members of Parliament inside. There are also olive trees in there which cost £70,000 each, Steph told me that - weird. So yeah, there I’m going to be undertaking more work for Ed Balls which should be great.
London is a great place to study, and I’m not just saying that. If I wasn’t studying at Westminster, I wouldn’t of had the chance to visit the House of Parliament twice, meet Nick Clegg’s spokesman, meet the pressure group UK Uncut, meet Ray Snoddy former BBC presenter, meet Joy Johnson former Labour comms specialist AND see big Dave Cameron and Ed Miliband in the flesh.
If you want politics, then Westminster is your new home. Why go anywhere else?!
I hope you enjoyed reading a bit about me, politics and PR and if you want to know any more, or need help or advice do not hesitate to email me whatever.
Thanks TM (tomalexmcmahon@live.co.uk)
