Caden Lunness

Caden Lunness is now the Policy and Public Affairs Executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).

I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2024 with a BA in Politics. The course offered a strong foundation in political theory, institutions, and public policy, while also encouraging critical thinking and independent research — all of which have served me well beyond university.

Throughout my time at university, I was fortunate to work full-time in Parliament for two Members of Parliament. This is by no means the norm for most students, and I was lucky to have two fantastic bosses who supported my academic life while trusting me with significant responsibility in their offices. Balancing a demanding full-time role in Westminster with full-time undergraduate study was not easy, but it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It gave me a practical, working knowledge of Parliament, politics, and public affairs that few students - and my post graduates - are exposed to at that stage in their careers. 

At Liverpool, I particularly enjoyed modules such as Contemporary Parliamentary Studies (POLI304), Political Communication and Public Speaking (POLI252), and Local Government in the UK (POLI337). These courses helped me connect academic study with real-world politics and further deepened my interest in how public policy is shaped and delivered. I was also fortunate to be taught by exceptional lecturers including Dr Andrew Roe-Crines, Dr David Jeffery, and Professor Andrew Russell. Not only were they outstanding academics, but their approachable, supportive, and genuinely nice personalities created a learning environment in which I could thrive academically.

Outside of my studies and work in Parliament, I played an active role in student life — serving first as Corporate Outreach Officer and later as Vice President of the Politics Society. These roles gave me opportunities to develop skills in public speaking, event organisation, stakeholder engagement, and leadership, while also allowing me to connect with like-minded students and build lasting friendships.

I’m now the Policy and Public Affairs Executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), where I work closely with MPs, Ministers, and stakeholders to strengthen the UK’s consumer protection landscape. I support policy development, parliamentary engagement, and media relations — all rooted in the skills and experiences I gained during my time at university and in Parliament.