A peek inside the corridors of power

“I was honoured to intern at the House of Commons during the last week of my exchange programme in the United Kingdom. My mentor, Professor Sally Stewart, who is the mother of Rory Stewart MP, Minister of State at the Department of the International Development, kindly introduced me to her son, who let me intern at his parliamentary office.

During my week-long internship, I handled enquiries from constituents and drafted replies to invitations from individuals and groups. I was also given the chance to listen in on one of the meetings as the then Home Secretary, the Rt Hon. Theresa May, was answering emergency questions regarding the attack in Florida. Furthermore, I was extremely fortunate to meet Baron Wilson of Tillyorn, the former governor of Hong Kong (1987-1992), who himself is an HKU graduate. We had broad discussions and frank exchanges on various issues concerning Hong Kong and China. Lord Wilson kindly took me on a tour around the House of Lords and took me into the chamber to observe an ongoing debate. All these experiences deepened my understanding of British parliamentary system and its democracy.

The internship period coincided with the start of referendum recess and the tragic death of Jo Cox MP. As a Government and Laws student, It prompted me to rethink the virtues and vices of democracy, and to review the threats to it under the rise of extremism.

All in all, the internship significantly broadened my horizons and made me become more determined to work in politics or with international organisation in future.”

Mentor in Scotland since since 2000: Professor Sally Stewart
Outgoing Exchange Mentee (2015-16): Tony Lau, BSocSc&LLB Year 4