What does your MP do for you? (From The Argus)

Sussex MPs work in the spotlight

4:50pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News By James Wallin

Your MP is your voice in Parliament but how loud are they shouting?

An investigation by The Argus has revealed stark contrasts in the Commons activity of our representatives.

The number of early day motions – topics raised as a possible subject for debate – signed by our MPs range from 12,000 by veteran West Worthing politician Sir Peter Bottomley to 0 by Hastings and Rye MP Amber Rudd.

But the topics that have been supported by our £65,000-a-year representatives include a celebration of Christmas cheeses, rhino poaching and meercats.

We asked several MPs to tell us exactly what they do to raise the concerns of their constituents in Parliament.

Brighton

Brighton Pavilion’s Green MP Caroline Lucas has been a prolific proponent of early day motions and has asked 427 questions in the House.

Topics she has supported range from backing for Brighton-based charity Rhythmix in its legal tussle with X Factor, to objections to rhinoceros poaching.

She said: “Brighton Pavilion’s residents lobby me on a huge range of issues – from NHS reforms and wildlife crime to the withdrawal of Education Maintenance Allowance.

“They often ask me to sign early day motions, which are a useful tool in campaigning work.”

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby has been involved with just 78 early day motions compared to Dr Lucas’ 720.

He said: “Early day motions cost taxpayers more than £1 million a year and are of very limited value. They are often used by lobbyists to raise issues but the number that actually get debated in Parliament is limited.”

Crawley

Crawley MP, Henry Smith, has signed just two early day motions, including one proposing the abolition of early day motions, but has spoken in more parliamentary debates than any other Sussex MP.

He said: “Different MPs will choose different methods to raise the issues they see as important.

"There is no handbook to tell you how to do that. I remember that after my election the returning officer handed me an envelope telling me to turn up the next day at 9am to get my Parliamentary pass and then it was very much ‘Off you go’.”

Unlike many MPs, Mr Smith does not hold a weekly surgery, saying most people now contact him by email but said he spends Monday mornings and Fridays in his constituency.

Hove

Hove MP Mike Weatherley said he holds formal surgeries on Fridays and Saturdays but meets constituents “seven days a week”.

The MP, who has proposed motions on the criminalisation of squatting but also supported the Dairy Council’s Celebration of the Christmas Cheeses, said: “Issues that I have taken from Hove and Portslade to Parliament include supporting our young musicians to get paid properly, dealing with squatters, championing small businesses and calling for ultrafast broadband.”

Worthing

Sir Peter Bottomley, who has represented Worthing West since 1997, has supported more than 12,000 early day motions but spoke in 25 debates last year, below the average for MPs.

He said: “These motions are a way of raising subjects that matter. William Wilberforce used them to campaign for the abolition of slavery.

"Samuel Plimsoll used one to suggest putting a line on the side of ships."

Hastings and Rye

But Hastings and Rye MP Amber Rudd who has never signed an early day motion but has the third highest participation in parliamentary debates of any Sussex MP, said: “I am always prepared to raise topics in Parliament which my constituents tell me they care about.”

For a breakdown of how all 16 Sussex MPs have spent their time in the House of Commons see the two-page special report inside today's Argus.

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