Members of Parliament are elected to the House of Commons to represent the interests and concerns of all the people who live in their constituency, whether they voted for them at the General Election or not. They are only able to deal with issues raised by people who live in their constituency.
MPs consider and vote on national legislation and use their position to ask government ministers questions about current issues.
Karen splits her time between working in Parliament and working at home in the constituency. In Parliament, Karen spends her time fighting for the interests of her constituents, attending debates, scrutinising and voting on legislation, and attending meetings. In the constituency, Karen holds advice surgeries for her constituents to come and talk to her about local issues and problems. She attends as many meetings and community events she can that she is invited to and she particularly enjoys visiting local schools, charities and businesses.
If you want Karen to come and visit you, please get in touch by email or phone.
Members of Parliament are able to help with all matters for which Parliament or central government is responsible. When a constituent writes to their MP, they will take it up with the relevant department or official or the Minister involved. Karen has solved many constituents' problems in this way.
Council Responsibilities
MPs do not have any jurisdiction over local Council decisions. However, they can contact the local council on behalf of constituents - Karen has done this on hundreds of occasions - to ask them to look into a problem or to reconsider an issue. But, in the first instance constituents should contact their local Council or Councillor.