1. Expectation

Constituents are rightly confused at the many and varied “elected” representatives that exist:

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)

Elected no longer on a constituency basis but on a “List” system in Wales
Elected every four years; next elections due 2008.
We have 4 MEPs for Wales comprising 1 Tory, 1 Plaid, and 2 Labour

For further information:
Click here

Members of Parliament (MPs)

646 elected by constituency.
The Prime Minister retains the power to call General Elections though they must happen every five years but they can be called at any time before then. The general rule is that when you are confident on winning you call them every four years – e.g. 1979-1983 (won); 1983-1987 (won); 1997-2001(won); 2001-2005 (won) but not five years - 1974-79 (lost); 1987-92 (won) and 1992-1997 (lost).
Given the Labour Government will have a new Prime Minister in 2007, it is likely, but who knows, that the next General Election will be 2009.
The Labour Government’s current majority in the House of Commons is 67
Labour has 352 MPs, the Conservative’s have 196 and the Lib Dems 63
Wales has 41 MPs – 29 Labour, 3 Tory, 4 Lib Dems, 3 Plaid and 2 Independents

Madeleine was elected to Parliament in 2005

For more information:
www.electoralcommission.org.uk
www.parliament.uk/directories/directories.cfm
www.direct.gov.uk

County or Unitary councillors (Bridgend)

Elected every four years; the next Bridgend one is due in 2008
Bridgend has 54 councilors; 22 Labour, Liberal Dems 13, Independent Dems 6, Plaid 1, Conservative 8, and Independent 4
Bridgend Council is run by a ‘Rainbow Coalition’ made up of Lib Dems, Independents, Plaid and Conservatives.

For more information:
www.kcc.gov.uk
www.lga.gov.uk
www.info4local.gov.uk
www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk
www.local.gov.uk

2. How do I find out about my MP?

There are a number of good web sites that provide information about your MP; some will tell you how they voted, others will tell you how quick or slow they are at responding to requests and others will give you information about their Office costs and salaries.

Try:

www.parliament.uk – for information about Parliament, expenses and member interests (which have to be registered)
www.theyworkforyou.com
www.writetothem.com
www.guardianunlimited.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk
www.labour.org.uk

Every major party has a web site and if you are unsure who your MP or candidate is for the next election there is usually a post code search on the site.

3. How do I contact my MP?

MPs organise themselves differently. Some just have offices in Parliament – these are free of rent and phone calls; some have offices in both parliament and their constituencies; some have offices only in their constituencies and an office just for themselves in Westminster. MPs have an allowance for their constituency offices.

The switchboard number for Parliament is 0207 219 3000 and then ask to be put through to your MP.
Click on the ‘Contact me’ page on this website for my contact details

4. How do I see my MP if I have a problem?

Most MPs undertake, what are called in the trade, Advice Surgeries. Some do two or three a week, easier if you are a London MP; some do one a week and some do one a month, a few do none at all. These are advertised in your local press or on your MP’s web site. Some MPs will also see you in Westminster.

The surgeries I will be doing are listed on the ‘surgeries’ page of this website.

5. How do MPs split their time between Westminster and their Constituency?

MPs generally arrive back from their constituencies by mid-afternoon on Mondays (Question Time starts at 2.30pm) and return either late Thursday or first thing Friday morning. MPs receive an accommodation allowance (except London MPs).

Some MPs visit their constituencies once a week, some once a month. Others divide their time by living Monday (afternoon)-Thursdays in London and Thursday evenings-Monday mornings in their constituencies. This tends to be what I do.

6. Do I have any responsibilities in Parliament other than serving my constituents?

This will be updated