What are the roles of MPs and how are effective are they?

Question

How efective are MPs at representing their constituency? How much an influence do they have in the House of COmmons? etc

Answer 1

There is no "one-size-fits-all" answer to this question, as it partly depends on the ability of the individual MP.

Some MP's can have great influence in the House of Commons: obviously if you are a senior member of the Government then you can influence the formation of policy. Others may have influence through their roles on Select Committees which often produce reports that change Government policy. Others can become specialists in particular areas, and are often listened to by all Parties. The other major area of influence is to be fortunate enough to finish high up in the annual Private Members' Bill ballot; this allows you to introduce a piece of legislation, that if gets Government support, can become law: examples of this are Labour MP's Tom Clarke and Roger Berry who, over a two year period, introduced Private Members Bills that eventually became the Disability Discrimination Act, outlawing discrimination against disabled people.

Answer 2

MPs have many varied roles and as technically they are free to do what they think is best they all apporach the job differently. This is the case to a great extent when talknig about MPs representing their constituency. Quite often when one talks about MPs representing their constituencies people discuss not the matter of representation but of what the MP does in the constituency which is something quite different.

First and foremost an MP must represent their constituency in Parliament and lobby the government on their constituents' behalf. Some MPs are better at this than others. Sometimes it can be beneficial to be a member of the governing party because of ease of access to ministers etc. At other times it is more helpful to be a member of the opposition becasue you can criticise government actions and have the scope to act more independently.

MPs can represent their constituents in Parlimanet through a number of procedures. The first is through legislative or generally debate when MPs can make speeches about the topic in hand making it relevant to their constituents and highlighting the reasons why a particular measure will be beneficial or costly to their constituency.

The second is trhough the use of Parliamentry questions, either oral or written. Parliamentary questions can be asked by any back bench member and leaders of opposition parties. These can request specific information from a government department about their constituency, for example specific information about education provision or to get assurances that certain things will or will not happen in their area.

The third is to write to a government minister on behalf of a constituent or group of constituents asking specific questions, seeking assurances, highlighting an issue or express the concerns of a constituent. THey can also represent their constituent when dealing with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and when constituents are having difficulty with government agencies such as HM Revenue and Customs or the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

Answer 3

MPs may be effective at representing their constituency, but that very fact would mean that they are not good for the nation. For instance, if there's a loss-making factory that employs a 1,000 people, the MP of the area would not want it shut down, even if it means that resources would be better allocated elsewhere. So, the nation as a whole suffers.

Furthermore, MPs in parliamanet will, at most, look after the interest of thieir own people - naturally (and even that will be toa limited extent). What happens to third world farmers, then? If MPs and Congressmen think it's more important to serve thie farmers (a miunsucule section) than to help poor farmers allow their crops to be exported to rich countries, then poor farmers stay poor (this is a fact; it's happening right now).

Furthermore, democracy means that a small section of the people can use their influence to influence the entire state machinery - such as the Zionists and the Cuba-Americans have done. Thus, democracy and freedom of association mean that the national interest will usually be sacrificed to that of small, highly organised groups.

Answer 4

I have never met an MP. I hear about their activities in a far way place called London. They talk a lot and go to lots of parties and events.
Every four years they 'communicate' with their constituency begging for votes and delivering rhetorical dribble to the letterbox in the form of leaflets produced on lavatory paper.
They appear in public with great pomp and circumstance as if they were very important people, often followed by fawning media people who drool over them like supine bathers sapping rays of sunshine. They are like players on the stage. They say their part, and deliver it well. The public are impressed with their authority of diction and articulation. They know their lines, well rehearsed, polished. ASk them an awkward question and they know exactly how to change the subject or woffle expertly.

MPs? The only influence they have in the House of Commons is a vote. If they all voted on behalf of their constituency, they would probably all lose their jobs.

Their job is to maintain the established order, which hasn't changed since the Dark Ages.

Answer 5

The MP's the UK have just now are a Disgraceful bunch of leeches.. especially the likes of 2 Shags and Gorgeous George Galloway...& the ex Posties union rep Alan Johnson who is being touted as a possible new Labour leader ..god ! this is as bad as waiter 2 shags. Alan found it difficult to deliver letters & 2 shags couldnt stay afloat serving drinks on a ferry. They have a real Brass neck picking up their pay packets for the pissing about they do.. and the amount of Queer Labour MP's - the party should be called Queens-labour .. They have influence alright but only when it suits them..and if there is something in it for them..

Answer 6

Unless an MP has been elected unanimously then they cannot truly represent their constituency by carrying out the policy on which they were elected.

Answer 7

Since they now come from all classes of society I think they are a waste of space and do not serve the country without self interest.

Answer 8

not much they represent the party policies not the people they represent.