The Theory of 'You and Your MP'

'A special duty for constituents'

According to a parliamentarian's theory of democracy, MPs have responsibilities to 3 main groups: their constituents, Parliament and their political party. There is, however, no statutory job description for MPs, the nearest thing is a Code of Conduct for MPs which emphasises their "public duty.”

'The Limits to Representation of Constituents'

From a 'stating-the-blindingly-obvious' perspective, here are a few examples of how the representative function (on matters of Parliament and central government) between the MP for Delyn and his constituents has been severely undermined:

1. If the demands of constituents and local party members conflict with party policy, then party policy wins. The crux here is that ultimately the local MP's loyalty really lies - not with constituents or local party members - but with centralised party policy. For Delyn, the current MP is clearly on the side of 'Party Policy' (see voting record on Iraq war, tuition fees, foundation hospitals, ID cards etc).

2. The Delyn MP is unable to make issues of constituents public in terms of oral questions in the House, Adjournment Debates, EDMs, or Private Members Bills. This is because internal party rules prevented the Parliamentary Private Secretary (2001-2005) from representing constituents in this way. In addition, the Code of Conduct for Ministers also prevents the new Minister (2005-?) from publicly representing constituents in this way too.

3. MPs are also able to support petitions, campaigns and lobbying on issues raised by constituents if deemed appropriate by the MP. However, this is also constrained by Point 1.

'A Representation of Sorts'

Therefore the type of representation in Parliament that Delyn constituents are left with includes:

1. Confidential representation on behalf of constituents in terms of letters and/or meetings involving governmental departments or Ministers (which more often than not results in the receipt of bland, standardised governmental documents and letters).

2. An uncritical acceptance of the total agenda for central government of Blair and Blairism. This includes a passive acceptance for an increasingly neo-Thatcherite ideology and policy approach being applied to undermine social welfare and the public services. This is complemented by the ever-increasing authoritarianism as seen through ID cards.

3. A complicit acceptance of the well-documented marginalisation of Parliament and cabinet by Blair and Blairism (not to mention the undermining and splitting of the broad-church of the Labour Party itself).

'The Theory of Accountability'

The "Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office" (Code of Conduct for MPs). However, there is no formal procedure for making complaints about your MP. You can take complaints to the local Party association, whose powers of sanction are limited but can include not selecting an MP for the next election. Alternatively, complaints can also be directed to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards if an MP, for instance, is in breach of the Code of Conduct.

Useful links:

Our Peripheral Parliament

Factsheet: You & Your MP

Code of Conduct for MPs