Interns took Time out from Election Campaign for Graduation
Every four years the Institute can offer an internship semester which comprises the unique combined experience of the University, the Parliament and the Election Campaign for the Scottish Parliament. On 24 April the Spring 2007 'cohort' of Parliamentary Interns took an evening out of the hectic campaign trail for a wee gathering in Old College under the impressive portraits of Henry Raeburn to receive their Certificates for a successful internship. Not all interns could make it - some of them being tucked away in the four corners of Scotland canvassing, door-stepping and campaigning for their outgoing (and incoming?) MSPs.
In a relaxed atmosphere, laced with good humour and a degree of hilarity, the interns reflected on their good fortune of being part of a tight and interesting electoral contest. And although the internship officially ends on 27 April, most of the 22 interns had decided long ago that they would stay on for the election on 3 May. As David McCrone said, it would be like reading a Thriller and then noticing the last chapter was missing if one had to abandon the campaign in mid-flight.
It was no surprise that the MSPs had more important things on their plate than our reception, but a number of them sent emails attesting to the interns' valued contribution in Parliament and 'on the stump'. Wendy Alexander's message may suffice as an example: "We've been tremendously busy with the campaign as you can imagine, and Jeff [Jaketic] has been a great asset, putting in a lot of hours."
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