Parliamentary Procedures

Poli-sci major Joshua Swarz '08 gets political pointers from abroad

March 20, 2007

Joshua Swarz '08 (right) with British Member of Parliament Jon Trickett.

When Joshua Swarz '08 runs for office, he'll have plenty of global experience on his resumé.

Swarz, a political-science major, is working this spring in the United Kingdom's Parliament as an intern, though he says he is being treated "more like a regular staff member." Swarz recently helped out with the campaign of Labour Party candidate Jon Cruddas, a friend of Member of Parliament (MP) Jon Trickett.

"Just like [with lawmakers] in the U.S., MPs get a lot of constituent letters regarding a variety of issues," Swarz said. Residents of the United Kingdom elect members of Parliament to represent the interests of the House of Commons. The House of Commons and House of Lords form the two-house system of Parliament, which approves laws and examines and challenges the work of the British government.

"My job is to sort through the different letters and write to the different ministers in Parliament" on specific issues, Swarz said. He also has been preparing news releases and performing other office work on behalf of Trickett.

Swarz, who is living in the Russell Square section of London, was raised in Pelham, N.Y., where he stays during the summer. He learned of the Parliament internship program through a coordinator at Syracuse University.

"After college, I want to work on one of the 2008 presidential campaigns, and eventually run for public office myself—when I turn 25—in New York State as an assemblyman or state senator," Swarz said, adding that he also may seek a post-graduate degree in political science or American government.

For now, Swarz, 20, is enjoying his internship abroad. He said his first day at Parliament included a tour of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, a visit to where the heads of state are buried and an "awe-inspiring and humbling" up-close view of the queen's throne.