This is a reminder that today is the last day for applications to the USA Political Exchange programme.

As the application form requires a referee, some potential applicants have asked whether Lord Sheikh (CMF Chairman) or Mohammed Amin (CMF Vice Chairman) could be their referee. In each case Lord Sheikh and Mohammed Amin have explained that they must remain impartial and cannot act as a referee. The reason is that both have been involved in the formulation of the programme, and Mohammed Amin will be working jointly with the US Embassy to select which candidates will be chosen for the programme.