Ever wondered what an MP does?
With the continuing expenses revelations and debate about the role of Parliament, it is helpful to go back to basics and look at what MPs actually do.
Last week Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South let Guardian journalist Aida Edemariam follow her to find out about what her job involves on a day to day basis. One theme which emerged is the importance of constituency casework, an aspect of MPs’ work which has grown exponentially. Emily Thornberry receives over 1,000 queries from constituents a month, each of which is answered individually, on issues including housing, benefits and asylum applications. This important work, however, needs to be balanced with legislative duties in the chamber and in committees.
Emily’s work is, of course, very similar to that of our own MP, Keith Hill. Chuka has been assisting Keith with his surgeries for the last 4 years, dealing with much the same case work and helping local people with their problems.
Read the article in full here.
