1. Whichever method you choose (letter, phone call, fax or email), it is important that you contact you own M.P. as it is a firm rule in Parliament that M.P.s deal only with their own constituents and not with those of another M.P.'s constituents. Even though the problem to which you want to refer is in another M.P.'s constituency, it must be to your own M.P. that you turn.
   Once elected an M.P. represents every voter in his constituency, no matter how they voted. Every elector has equal access to their M.P. regardless of party politics.
   Your M.P. is there to listen to your views and to try and help you with problems you may have. He will act as your advocate in Parliament and outside. Some things may be dealt with more appropriately by local councilors, who are also elected to look after people's interests. Sometimes an M.P. can provide a second opinion. What an M.P. cannot do is offer legal advice in a specific case.
   There are limits to what an M.P. can do. For your grievance to be remedied, a change in the law may be required. This is not something that an individual M.P. can guarantee to deliver. A majority in Parliament may take an opposite view - it is also possible that the answer to your difficulty may raise objections with other constituents who would expect their M.P. to take heed of their view as well. However, your grievance may be one which is shared by people across the country, and so a pressure group of M.P.s is formed which may be successful in bringing about a change of policy by the Government of the day.

1. An M.P. always welcomes a letter, because in a letter, an email, or a fax, you can set out in your own words the views you hold, or the problem with which you are faced. This helps your M.P. to make representations on your behalf - whether this is to a Government Department, an Executive Agency of the Government, a local authority, or, for example, an energy supplier or a train company. However, your M.P. will readily see you in person to discuss a matter, whether at a regular surgery, or by private appointment.
   Much of an M.P.'s work is done by correspondence. In many cases this will be followed up by visits to the various bodies and agencies concerned. Where appropriate, your M.P. will lead a delegation to see a Minister of the Crown.
   Whichever way they are contacted, whatever the matter concerns, above all your M.P. is there to help you, and is glad to do so.

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last updated June, 2005