Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to navigation
Businessmen sitting in waiting area
If MPs had to rely on their CVs, how many of them would qualify for the job they’re applying for? Photograph: Alamy
If MPs had to rely on their CVs, how many of them would qualify for the job they’re applying for? Photograph: Alamy

MPs - please post your CVs here

This article is more than 9 years old

The Democracy Club project wants to encourage MPs to share their CVs so that prospective voters can examine their qualifications for the job

As Parliament is dissolved ahead of the general election on 7 May, all MPs in the House of Commons become prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) seeking gainful employment. And we the voters are the recruiters.


The salary and conditions are pretty good: £67,000 a year, rather generous expenses, flexible working hours and a few private offices. And as is traditional in all recruitment processes, I would expect to see all candidates’ CVs for my constituency of Wanstead and Leyton as soon as possible.

To that end, the Democracy Club – a group of digital activists that aims to increase the quantity, quality and accessibility of information on election candidates, politicians and our democratic processes – have created a web app that helps you decide who to employ this time around.

So far, just 233 PPCs – 6% of the total standing – have participated. Here’s a twitter-stream showing members of the public asking their MPs to upload their CVs. Francis Irving, who coded the project, says his intent is serious: “People are disillusioned with politics, and we find this a fun way to engage with that positively to try and improve it.

“It would be lovely to get a human resources recruiter to look at their CVs, as if they were being hired for similar private sector jobs. MPs aren’t properly skilled to vet new laws and run the administration of hundreds of billions of pounds. Of course, some MPs are good. But generally, we’re not selecting them based on the sort of skills they need to do the job well. We’re selecting on the other whimsical games that are played now.”

Irving argues that digital tools are our best chance to save democracy, but says that time is of the essence. “New technology sweeps in and allows disruption. Once it has settled down, that chance erodes away. Patterns of usage lock down, and large organisations learn how to control it. This is a short moment to use the technology while it is still shiny new, to make the best changes that we can. Access to information does give people more power.”

Here’s how it works: Go to democracyclub.org.uk and enter your postcode. A screen appears allowing you to mail or tweet all PPCs for your constituency, and ask them to upload their CV to help you make your choice in May.

None of my candidates have yet uploaded their CV: John Cryer, Labour; Ashley Gunstock, Green Party; Martin Levin, Ukip; Carl Quilliam, Liberal Democrats; Matthew Scott, Conservatives.

I emailed them all, thanking them for their application and their interest in the role as my MP, but let them know I couldn’t make any decision before they supplied me with a full work history.

None have yet replied.

Of all the constituencies being contested, Irving says he would most like to see the CVs of Anne Snelgrove (Labour) and Robert Buckland (Conservative). They are both candidates for South Swindon, which is the closest Tory/Labour marginal according to Lord Ashcroft’s most recent polls.

“I’d like them as they are the CVs that could decide the next prime minister. I’d love to go knocking on doors there, telling people about them – see if it changes their vote,” Irving says.

“We, the voters, are hiring MPs. We judge them. We choose them. Pointing out that they should therefore send in a CV, and noticing when they squirm and don’t want to (they’re used to caring just about the party and electioneering), is an indirect way of showing people what’s wrong.”

A few general tips for all prospective applicants: a list of jobs, dated, with role and responsibilities outlined briefly is the traditional format. In the case of those PPCs who have had little experience outside professional politics, such as David Cameron, George Osborne, and Ed Milliband, a list of your non-professional achievements and educational details will have to suffice.

And even if you don’t have a formal university education, or any widely recognised higher educational qualifications, as is the case for Iain Duncan Smith, please don’t be put off from applying. Strictly speaking, no qualifications whatsoever are required to run the country.

Most viewed

Most viewed