Parliament is a wonderful building, full of architectural treasures from around the world. Central Lobby is one of my favourite places. It is home to some 60,000 tiles, pictured above, made by our very own Craven Dunnill – a leading manufacturer of traditionally-styled, decorative ceramic tiles founded right here in Shropshire at the height of the industrial revolution in 1872, with a base in Bridgnorth. They provided the tiles in a major renovation project which concluded in 2021, with the tiles made according to the original design of Augustus Welby Pugin.
For South Shropshire
I have served as an MP since 2019. I fully understand the responsibility and expectations that come with representing constituents as a Member of Parliament. The relationship an MP has to their constituency can be understood in the following three ways: the local champion, the local campaigner, and the local contact.
The Local Champion
As the local MP, you are the champion of your local area in the arena of national politics. This means bringing to light the incredible people and achievements in the constituency, from raising points at Prime Minister’s Questions to hosting events in Parliament. This provides recognition for local heroes who so often go unnoticed and gives local businesses the chance to raise their national profile. I am incredibly passionate about South Shropshire. If elected, I will use every opportunity to promote our area at a national level. I want to help others see both the wonderful people and the amazing potential in South Shropshire.
The Local Campaigner
The MP acts as a vital campaigner for the constituency. An MP has a unique opportunity to engage with government ministers in both formal and informal settings to secure funding and policy changes. The MP has a wide range of legislative options through which to raise key constituency issues with the Government; each can affect change for the area. In addition, local campaigns can be started, or crucially boosted, through an MP’s relationship with the press, the council and national government. These efforts can make all the difference. As your MP I will be a passionate campaigner, tirelessly working to deliver the funding this area deserves and making sure the government addresses the issues that affect your daily lives.
The Local Contact
The MP is an important contact point for constituents to get in touch about matters that are vitally important to them. The MP will receive requests for help on a wide range of issues such as education, welfare support and health. These can be acutely difficult and personal circumstances for constituents, so it is crucial that the MP acts quickly and decisively to ensure every constituent receives the help they need. This could involve raising cases with local councillors, public services (such as police) or elevating the concern to government ministers. The role of an MP can have a significant impact supporting constituents as a vital support, and I am committed to using all the resources I have at my disposal to giving you the help you need, when you need it most.
For the country
Members of Parliament are often given a part to play in serving the country in a number of roles, such as on committees (with a scrutiny role of specific government policy), a minister (with departmental duties and commitments), or a responsibility in an opposition party to hold government ministers to account. These roles never replace or supersede an MP’s local responsibilities, but rather provide an additional opportunity for an MP to serve their constituents on matters of national significance.
As a Member of Parliament, I have held positions on committees, ministerial and shadow ministerial roles. It has been an honour to serve my country in these roles, more of which I explain in my Political Milestones (Political Milestones). With any responsibility I may have in the future, I commit to enthusiastically carry out my responsibilities for the constituency.
