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MPs are elected to serve their constituency. Their main use to constituents is tackling the problems that arise from the work of central government and representing their concerns in Parliament.
Parliamentary convention prevents us from representing people who do not live in or have an interest in the constituency. I cover South Derbyshire plus the Derby wards of Boulton and Chellaston. To check if I’m your MP you can visit www.upmystreet.com.
However, if your issue addresses a long-established issue, you may contact any MP who has already demonstrated an interest, as they might be receptive to your arguments. There may even be a cross-party parliamentary group of MPs already working on the issue. I have chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Motor Neurone Disease since its inauguration in 2001; and am also Joint Vice-Chair of the APPG on English Beef and Lamb; and Secretary of the APPG on Pharmacy, and of the APPG for the Horse.
In Westminster, MPs examine and scrutinise bills going through Parliament before they become law. They support their party's programme (where they can) and act as the representative for the party in their constituency.
There are a variety of tools I can use to help constituents:
1) Put forward a question in parliament
2) Propose an Early Day Motion in parliament
3) Present a petition to parliament
4) Vote to pass or not a new law in parliament
5) Mention your problem or issue in a parliamentary debate
6) Contact a minister on your behalf
A Parliamentary Ombudsman investigates complaints of maladministration in Government departments, agencies and certain public bodies. Similarly, the Health Service Ombudsman exists to investigate complaints about the National Health Service.
While I am often able to offer advice on how to deal with a problem that relates to the work of a local authority or Europe, your elected representatives to those institutions are better placed to take up your concerns.
There are three local authorities that serve the constituency: South Derbyshire District Council, Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council (for those who live in Boulton and Chellaston only).
South Derbyshire District Council is responsible for: most council tax issues; council house repairs; environmental health; dustbin collections and street sweeping plus leisure facilities.
Derbyshire County Council at County Hall, Matlock is responsible for: education, schools and libraries; social services; the local highway network and transport; environmental issues and trading standards.
As a unitary authority Derby City Council, based at the Council House, Corporation Street, provides all of the above services.
For advice or help on any European issue, please contact your Labour Member of the European Parliament, Glenis Willmott. http://www.gleniswillmott.eu/ tel: 0115 922 9717
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