The Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) works as a charity for the wider public interest, seeking to achieve better legislation through having better-informed and more knowledgeable parliamentarians. Its role with respect to parliamentarians is educational rather than seeking to promote the particular interests of its corporate supporters.
Fellowships are educational
Fellowships are explicitly educational, based upon objectives and learning outcomes agreed at the outset. Fellowship programmes and placements are specifically designed to meet these objectives.
Fellowships are open to all and non-partisan
Fellowships are open to all parliamentarians (MPs, UK MEPs and peers) regardless of party. The IPT also offers Fellowships to senior staff from both houses of Parliament.
Fellowships are independent and non-lobbying
Fellowships are arranged by the IPT independently of any specific organisation, and may not be used for the purposes of lobbying. They may take place in any organisation. Hosting organisations should not use Fellowships to gain any particular advantage beyond the educational objectives agreed at the outset. Parliamentarians should not use Fellowships to gain an unfair advantage in their parliamentary work or to lobby on behalf of their host organisation(s).
Fellowships are transparent and accountable
Fellowships are a matter of public record and all Fellowships are publicised on the IPT website and through its quarterly magazine, The Bridge.
Most Fellowships are also publicised more widely in specialist, local and national media, publications such as House magazine and in biographical listings such as Dod’s Parliamentary Companion.
At a time when all parliamentarians are coming under closer scrutiny, the IPT provides a lobby-free area in which information can be sought and given irrespective of commercial or party-political interest.
