What is Jack Abbott's summer school – and how do you apply?

Why it matters: The programme is pitched as a hands-on route into politics, campaigning and public service for young people from Ipswich and Suffolk – a group often underrepresented in politics.

The details: The free two-week programme will run from Monday, 10 August to Friday, 21 August 2026 and is open to people aged 18 to 24 with an interest in politics, campaigning, communications and community work.

• The programme is free to attend.
• Abbott says he is working to provide travel and expenses bursaries for participants who may otherwise be unable to take part.
• Applications from people from groups historically underrepresented in politics are "especially encouraged".

How it works: Last year's inaugural summer school brought together 17 young people for an intensive fortnight that combined training with practical campaigning.

• Participants heard from guest speakers working in journalism, local government, trade unions and public service.
• They took part in sessions on campaigning and communications, and visited both Parliament and Downing Street.
• In the second week, attendees split into teams to lead two campaigns focused on local issues.

What the campaigns achieved: According to Abbott's office, one group worked with Suffolk Sight and the Suffolk Guide Dog & Visually Impaired Forum on assistance dog accessibility, signing up more than 80 Ipswich businesses to an assistance dog-friendly pledge.

A second group worked with Suffolk Family Carers and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) to raise awareness of support available for unpaid young family carers, with the campaign reaching around 10,000 people online.

What they're saying: Mr Abbott said: "When I launched the programme last year, I wanted it to be practical, hands-on and rooted in our community, and the young people involved completely exceeded expectations.

"They went out into Ipswich, worked alongside local organisations, spoke on local media, organised campaigns and delivered real results for causes that matter deeply to people in our town."

He added: "A summer school was my break in politics, it changed the course of my life, and I'm so delighted to give [the] same opportunity to young people in Ipswich and Suffolk."

The participants' view: Saffeen Yamulki, who took part last year and went on to run as a candidate in May's local elections, said: "The great thing about the summer school was that we weren't just talking about politics, we were getting first-hand, practical experience of it too. From featuring on BBC radio to visiting Downing Street, I had experiences over those two weeks that you simply can't get from a textbook."

Erin McCormick, who worked on the assistance dogs campaign and now interns in Mr Abbott's Westminster office, said: "The summer school gave me the confidence to get involved in politics and public service, and it played a big role in helping me feel able to apply for an internship in Jack's Westminster office. It showed me that young people really can make a difference locally when they are given the opportunity to step forward."

The bottom line: The 2026 summer school offers young people in Ipswich and Suffolk a free two-week route into politics and campaigning, building on a first year whose alumni include active campaigners, a council candidate and a Westminster intern.

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