What do our MP's do for us?

Neil · 14-06-2009, 17:57

In another thread I was going to ask the question but deceide it should be in its own thread.

What do MP's actually do for their constituents and their constituency's or what we expect them to do?

What has Greg Pope done for us?

To be honest I am not sure what we expect our MP's to do for us. I am still thinking about it (yes I know it could take some time

)

Maybe you lot could make some suggestions.

kestrelx · 14-06-2009, 18:08

Politicians do for us what makes them think they will look like they are doing something for us, when they aim to get away with the bare minimum!

derekgas · 14-06-2009, 18:14

There are lots of threads on here which suggest what mp's should/could be doing for us, several are about parking for example, the condition of the roads, the town centre, and on, and on, havnt seen much in the way of change in any particular area though, maybe someone will correct me if I am wrong!

flashy · 14-06-2009, 18:15

MP's make us make stupid threads on accyweb about them....thats what they do

Barrie Yates · 14-06-2009, 18:31

MPs do not do what their community - the people that voted them in, want them to do. They only follow the Perty Whip who dictates what the party want - Representation of the People? - I don't think so.

BERNADETTE · 14-06-2009, 18:32

Actually when you think about it there are no improvements that spring to mind when you ask what Greg Pope has done for us. We have lost a hell of a lot of factory jobs due to closure whilst he has been in office. And we can't say the state of the towns in the borough has seen any improvement really. All in all can't find much to write home about myself.
On the other hand he did help my son get a problem sorted very quickly. But is getting niggling problems for constituents sorted really enough?

derekgas · 14-06-2009, 18:34

I was just thinking that Bernie, I dont recall asking for anything from an MP personally, so is that the problem? we dont personally request enough from them! I did assume that they would naturally want to look after thier constituents though! errrrrm ASS/U/ME!

garinda · 14-06-2009, 18:38

I've always been lucky with my MPs, when I've needed to contact them.

Ken Hargreaves helped me get back some money Derek Hatton's loony left Liverpool Council owed me in the '80s.

George Galloway helped me fight Glasgow City Council's reluctance to embrace an equality issue, earlier this decade.

Recently Greg Pope helped retrieve money from a cowboy parking firm. He also let me tell him my thoughts before a free vote on embryoinic stem cell research, and offered to discuss the matter further, and informed me why he'd voted why he had.

The sixteen years I lived in London I had no need to contact my MP.

So for me my MP is someone to add their weight when fighting for something, when you've not got anywhere by yourself.

They are also someone who you can lobby, to give them your view before a vote which might become law.

Like I say, I've always felt I've received first class service from them.

I hope I can still say the same thing in the future, when we get a new MP representing Hyndburn.

Barrie Yates · 14-06-2009, 18:44

If you make a complaint to an MP he/she will have one of his assistants pass that complaint - with an accompanying letter to the relevant Ministerial Office from where it will be passed to the relevant department/agency. They do not follow the wishes of their constituents, only Party policies.

garinda · 14-06-2009, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrie Yates

If you make a complaint to an MP he/she will have one of his assistants pass that complaint - with an accompanying letter to the relevant Ministerial Office from where it will be passed to the relevant department/agency. They do not follow the wishes of their constituents, only Party policies.

Well three times that hasn't happened to me, with three different MPs, from two different parties.

Perhaps I just ask for help more effectively.

BERNADETTE · 14-06-2009, 18:49

Your examples are all good and well G but how as a borough have we progressed whilst Greg has been our MP? Not only have we lost a hell of a lot of manufacturing jobs but shops are closing left, right and centre and the nightlife in Accrington has all but gone now. Could Greg not have done anything to avoid the deterioration of the borough? Maybe by implementing lower business rates?
It appears to me that not a lot has been done at grass roots level!!

garinda · 14-06-2009, 18:51

It's in MP's interest to fight for their constituents, especially when it comes to jobs, but their power is somewhat limited when you're talking about vast multi-national companies.

Twice the help I received was for a small fry personal problem, but when George Galloway's help was sought to fight a legal issue, he gave us his full support and help, and we ultimately won.

Barrie Yates · 14-06-2009, 18:52

I have never needed to ask for help from the very many MPs that have represented me - probably over 15 different ones around the country.
I do not argue politics - told some 50 years ago or so by my Father, 3 things never to argue about, Religion - we are all entitled to our own beliefs, Politics - Democracy is freedom of choice and expression for all, and Football - if they don't support Man Utd they don't know anything about football.

garinda · 14-06-2009, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

Your examples are all good and well G but how as a borough have we progressed whilst Greg has been our MP? Not only have we lost a hell of a lot of manufacturing jobs but shops are closing left, right and centre and the nightlife in Accrington has all but gone now. Could Greg not have done anything to avoid the deterioration of the borough? Maybe by implementing lower business rates?
It appears to me that not a lot has been done at grass roots level!!

I think I sort of answered part of your question, at the same time as I posted.

Their power is somewhat limited when it comes to saving jobs, or attracting new ones to their constituiencies.

You can't really blame one MP for the loss of manufacturing jobs. That's a much more historic, and global problem. Mainly fuelled by our own desires for cheaper and cheaper products ourselves.

On that score I feel the local council has more of an active role to play, in ensuring attractive business rates, good town planning, affodable homes, and a qualified workforce etc.

garinda · 14-06-2009, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrie Yates

I do not argue politics -

This is what's known on Accy Web as a political thread.