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Parliamentary Programme Reached 10-Year-Landmark

The reception to mark the end of another term for the Institute's Parliamentary Internship programme on 21 April 2009, attended by all 15 interns and half a dozen MSPs, also marked the completion of the first ten years of the programme. Paddy Bort and the Institute's Director, Professor David McCrone, reflected on the ten-year journey, from small beginnings in 1999 to a successful scheme which, very quickly, had established a very positive reputation in both the academic community and among the MSPs.

Nearly 350 interns have passed through the programme in these ten years. But, David McCrone said, addressing the current cohort, "You have been one of the best groups; I don't know about your work for the MSPs, but your briefing papers and exams in my class were among the best, or maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age".

Bob Doris MSP, who was first elected in 2007, pointed out how he overcame initial scepticism on the advice of colleagues who had participated in the programme, and how the past ten weeks working with Megan Smith had more than vindicated his decision to take on an intern. He was aware, he said, that MSPs are queuing up for interns - "please put my name at the top of the list!"

Jackie Baillie and Rhoda Grant MSPs were full of praise and emphasised how refreshing the experience of keen and motivated young students working in the Parliament was for Holyrood. Peter Peacock, Richard Simpson and Rob Gibson MSPs reflected on the good working relationship between MSPs and interns and the contribution interns made to the work of individual MSPs and the Parliament as a whole.

Helen Moser spoke for the interns, underlining the unique experience in the Scottish Parliament: "None of us can imagine another programme that offers an intern such participation we've had a truly wonderful time over the past fifteen weeks." The jolly atmosphere at the reception (which also saw the interns receiving their Certificates from Professor McCrone) was a ringing endorsement of Helen's remarks.

In conversation with the MSPs, Paddy Bort expressed his hope that new points-based UK immigration rules would not become too detrimental a barrier for potential future participants in the programme.

Interns/MSPs (Spring 2009)