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What can an MP do?

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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, called constituents.

To check if you are one of my constituents, please enter your postcode on the Parliament website.

MPs consider and vote on legislation and use their position to ask government ministers questions about current issues.

We split our time between working in Parliament and working in the constituency. In Parliament, I spend my time fighting for the interests of all my constituents, attending debates, scrutinising and voting on legislation, and attending meetings. I hold advice surgeries for my constituents (where they can come and talk to me about any local issues and problems), attend meetings and community events, as well as visiting local organisations and businesses across the constituency.

When a constituent writes to me, I will write to the relevant department or official or the Minister involved. Many problems are solved in this way and I always aim to respond within 10 working days although sometimes more complex cases may take slightly longer.

Alternatively, if a constituent is happy for the issue to be made public, I can ask an oral or written question, secure a debate or even petition Parliament itself.

Oral or Written Questions

Once a month each minister from each government department answer questions from MPs at the Despatch Box in the Chamber of the House. There is a limit to the number of questions that can be asked but I can also table a written question to the relevant government department, which are published in Hansard.

Adjournment Debates

MPs may be able to raise a constituent’s issue in a half-hour Adjournment Debate. To get an Adjournment Debate, MPs must be successful in a ballot of Members of Parliament or have the subject chosen by the Speaker. The debates are usually the last business of the day and a government minister responds at the end of the debate.

Petition

Members of Parliament can present a petition to Parliament on behalf of their constituents. The format and wording of the petition need to be in a particular way. For more information or guidance, please contact:

Clerk of Public Petitions
Journal Office
House of Commons
London   SW1A 0AA

http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/have-your-say/petitioning/public-petitions

What I cannot do, however, is have any jurisdiction over local Council decisions. I can write to on your behalf to the council and ask them to look into a problem or to reconsider an issue. In the first instance though, constituents should contact their local council or councillor directly.

News

Richard Holden MP Greggs

Minister Holden Visits Greggs HQ, Newcastle

Thursday, 11 May, 2023

Minister Holden was today up in Newcastle to announce 2.05m metre longer trucks after an 11 year pilot of 3,000 vehicles. This means:

1. Less congestion with 1/12 fewer HGVs

2. Safer Roads & fewer incidents

3. £1.4bn growth

4. 70,000 fewer tons of CO2

Richard extends bus scheme

Richard ensures £2 Bus Scheme is Extended!

Saturday, 1 April, 2023

The first three months were such a huge success, as Roads and Local Transport Minister in Department for Transport, Richard has been able to extend this for another three months but when it's over, it's going to be over.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday, 19 March, 2023

We all owe our mothers more than we can ever say. I know I do to mine.

This last year has been really difficult for my mum, who has lost hers after a long illness in the last year. Wherever you are, it’s always a good time to touch base with your mam.

Child Marriage ban enforced at last

Child Marriage Ends at last

Monday, 27 February, 2023

Last year we passed the law and it kicks in today. From now on you’ll have to be an adult to get married. This will help end forced marriages for good.

Richard Holden MP Signing Holocaust Memorial Day Book

Holocaust Memorial Day

Friday, 27 January, 2023

Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day, on 27 January, to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people murdered under Nazi persecution.

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