Last night, Monday 12 October, around 100 interns, MPs and lobbyists gathered in parliament to demand an end to the abuse of ‘generation intern’.

The event was hosted by Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis, and featured rousing speeches from The Speaker Rt. Hon John Bercow MP, the Rt Hon. Charles Clarke MP, David Willets MP, NUS President Wes Streeting and president of the parliamentary branch of Unite, Dan Whittle.

The most eagerly anticipated contribution came from Speaker Bercow, who chairs the Members’ Estimates Committee. The Committee will be looking at MPs expenses and pay, including staffing allowances and hopefully the question of interns pay too.

Whilst shying away from directly committing himself to putting the issue on the agenda for the Committee, The Speaker stated that he was very happy to raise it ‘through the appropriate channels’ although ‘this will take time’. He acknowledged that ‘This will not go away, it cannot be brushed under the carpet… I am listening’.

Following The Speaker, David Willets faced the packed room stating ‘I can sense this is the start of a movement, it feels like an uprising!’. Willets made reference to Alan Milburn’s Social Mobility Report published this summer, stating that only 3-4% of interns apply for their positions following careers advice, and called for a ‘revolution’ in careers advice.

With all the talk of revolution and uprising, Wes Streeting and Dan Whittle issued a rallying cry to the interns in the room. Wes Streeting accused many politicians of talking to themselves, and thanked Willis, Willets, Clarke and The Speaker for taking the time to listen. Dan Whittle called for an end to ‘generation intern’, and ended by challenging The Speaker to put this issue on the agenda for the Committee’s first meeting next week, stating that he was ‘disappointed’ by the absence of such a promise.

Phil Willis has confirmed that he will be writing to The Speaker to formalise the request.

Phil Willis said ‘Interns are now an integral part in the staffing structure of our Parliament, it’s essential to kick-on and ensure that they not only receive the appropriate recognition for their contribution, but that the authorities develop a kite mark or minimum standard for internships to ensure that they get a really first class experience and appropriate reward’.

---