Welcome to our Political School! 

We’re delighted you’re joining us and we’re looking forward to meeting you. This page includes key information you’ll need before and during the course and will be updated throughout.

Please review the key information, complete the questionnaire, and prepare for the speech task. Further essential guidance for the speech task can be found at the bottom of the page along with a preliminary agenda.

These activities are an important part of the programme and will help you get the most from it, so please set aside time to complete them in advance. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, please contact me at Robbie@labourunions.org.uk.

Working together guidelines (click to download )📄

Before the course, please ensure that you have read and familiarised yourself with our Working Together Guidelines, which set out how we expect everyone to conduct themselves throughout the course. These guidelines are designed to help create a respectful, inclusive and supportive learning environment, and we ask that everyone takes the time to review them in advance: Working Together Guidelines.

Key Details

📅 Course Dates: Tuesday 23 June – Wednesday 24 June

Course Locations
  • On Tuesday 23 June, we will be based in Parliament.

As we will be working on the Parliamentary estate, please bring photo ID (eg. passport/driving licence) to help ensure access to Parliament.

Meet by 9am on the riverbank opposite Parliament to take group and individual photos. This is a short walk from Westminster tube station. It’s the best location for headshots with Parliament in the background. Please think about what you’d like to wear, as this could be a useful photo for a leaflet in future.

Photo Meeting Point

Make your own way to Westminster and meet us at the south end of Westminster Bridge, on the riverbank.

  • From Westminster Bridge, go down the steps on the St Thomas’ Hospital side of the bridge.
  • Head down to the riverbank where the group will be gathering.
  • Nearest Tube: Westminster Station

If you have any trouble finding us, call Robbie: 07957 160 132.

After the Photos

Once the headshots and group photo are finished, we will walk together across Westminster Bridge to Parliament.

We will enter via the Cromwell Green Entrance (the main public entrance to the Palace of Westminster), on St Margaret Street next to Parliament Square, and go through security as a group.

  • On Wednesday 24 June, we will be based at the UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, NW1 2AY starting at 9am.

Accommodation: Accommodation will be provided on the nights of Monday 22 June and Tuesday 23 June.

Accommodation has now been confirmed at:
Radisson Blu London, Euston Square
130 Tottenham Court Road
London, W1T 5AY (Click here for link)

Arrival: You can arrive in your own time on Monday 22 June. Check in is from 3pm.

Course timings: The programme will begin at 9.00am on Tuesday 23 June and Wednesday 24th June and conclude at approximately 4.30pm on Wednesday 24 June.

Travel: Travel should be arranged through your union.

Meals: Dinner will not be provided on Monday 22 June, so please make your own arrangements. All other meals and refreshments will be provided during the course.

Dress code:
There is no formal dress code during the course. However, we will be taking photos outside Parliament on Tuesday morning. You may wish to use these photos in future campaign materials or on websites, so please bear this in mind when deciding what to wear. If you have any questions, experience technical difficulties, or would like to talk anything through beforehand, contact Robbie@labourunions.org.uk. If your circumstances change, please let me and your union know as soon as possible. Email is preferred, but you can also text or phone 07958 160 132.

Candidate Hustings Exercise – Wednesday 24 June

As part of Political School, students will take part in a candidate hustings exercise. You will be asked to deliver a six-minute speech as though you are seeking selection or election to public office, setting out why people should support you, what you would hope to achieve, and the issues that matter most to you.

Following your speech, you will be asked a few questions by tutors. This is designed to help you develop the skills needed to communicate your ideas clearly, respond to scrutiny, and make a persuasive case for support.

The exercise will take place in a supportive and constructive environment. However, it is important that you come prepared.

Please give serious thought in advance to the points you wish to make in your speech and be ready to participate fully. To help you with your preparation, you may find the worksheets below useful.

Tuesday 23 June | Parliament (Indicative Programme)

Time: 09:00–19:00
Venue: Parliament, Westminster

Please note that timings and sessions are indicative and may be subject to change.

Time Session
09:00 Arrival, Registration & Group Photos
10:10 Welcome & Programme Introduction
10:20 Behind the Scenes in Parliament
11:15 The Reality of Being an MP
12:25 Lunch
13:20 Watching a Commons Debate
14:00 Writing your speech workshop
15:05

MP One-to-One & Parliamentary Tour
17:15 Refreshments on the terrace
18:45 Close & Travel to Restaurant

Evening Programme

19:45 – Group Dinner
Taste of India Restaurant
126–130 Drummond Street, London NW1 2PA  / https://www.tasteofindiaeuston.com/

 

Wednesday 24 June | Labour Unions Political School (Indicative Programme)

Time: 09:15–16:35
Venue: UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY

Please note that timings and sessions are indicative and may be subject to change.

Time Session
09:15 Welcome & Day Two Introduction
09:25 Policy Workshops – Economics & Housing
10:25 Refreshment Break
10:35 Policy Workshops – Economics & Housing
11:35 Morning Break
11:45 Employment Rights Act and Labour’s New Deal
12:45 Lunch
13:30 Hustings Practice
15:30 Campaigning and Building your Profile
16:15 Programme Review, Next Steps & Feedback
16:35 Close