Working for Constituents - Your Problems Tackled

Representing Individual Constituents

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Two years on, and I feel even more strongly that the MP's role in helping individual constituents with their problems is central to the job. This partly reflects my view that a MP should be a representative of all people in the constituency, no matter what political persuasion, and regardless of differences of opinion over specific issues.

However, I believe this role is also vital because, by taking an interest in the problems of individuals, you gain an insight into the community's needs and into how well government and society at large help people meet their needs and aspirations. In other words, dealing with constituents' casework provides crucial lessons for the work a MP does in Parliament when debating new laws and holding the Government to account.

There is no doubt that a MP's letter on behalf of a constituent can make a real difference in gaining a response from an organisation, government body, or local authority. Getting that response itself is important, even if it is not necessarily the one you want!

For constituents to be able to use this service, the MP needs to be accessible. With my Surbiton office, twice weekly advice sessions and my new web site, I believe it is quite easy to find and contact me - though I'm always looking for ideas to improve this, if you have any!

In last year's report I indicated I would create my own MP's Charter, setting out response standards you can expect from me. I am now making good on that pledge. This year, I promise to try to:

• Answer your telephone calls within 12 "rings";
• Respond to telephone ansaphone messages within 1 working day;
• Send at least an initial response and acknowledgement to letters within 3 working days of receipt;
• Send a fuller response to letters within 25 working days.

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