When I replaced my morning Instagram doomscroll with a more sophisticated media sweep, I remember thinking, “You’re well on your way to adulthood now!” So, you can imagine my delight when I realised that my morning news routine could be more than a self-indulgent exercise in adulting – it could actually be part of a job. As Rachel Reeves set off her starting gun for Labour’s economic policy in the years to come, I was crossing the finish line after an incredible few weeks interning the Cardew Group and I thought I would take the chance to briefly reflect on my experience.
Firstly, I wanted to thank Will Tanner, Emma P., Deborah Fuller and everyone at Cardew Group for welcoming me to their fantastic team. It’s been a privilege to gain a deeper understanding of public affairs and strategic communications, especially at such an exciting time. Supporting clients across transport, energy, and healthcare, I gained insights into the nuances of monitoring media and parliamentary developments and delivering actionable reports. My habit of flitting from The Guardian to The Telegraph to The Times, critiquing and cross-referencing, proved useful here. I also began what I imagine will be a long and fruitful relationship with the Hansard parliamentary search function.
I also had the chance to support Steven Williams, their Director of Finance slash sustainability guru, with their emissions calculations as they continue on their journey towards net zero. And, of course, the highlight was Budget Day—the fast-paced race to provide insights for clients on what Reeves’ budget would mean for them. Though I’ll leave the expert commentary on that to the pros!
My final day coincided with Cardew’s year-end, and as the team celebrated their most successful year to date, I understood why many of them attributed their culture to this success. From Day One, I felt welcomed, valued, and part of the team – even after one or two questionable Karaoke performances on the staff night out!
This experience has only reinforced my passion for political communications. I loved the pressure, the pace, and the chance to dive into meaningful work. I’m deeply grateful to everyone Cardew Group for an unforgettable introduction to this field—and I’m excited to keep building on it!
