Articles and Speeches

Surgery
05-Aug-05, Windsor Express Column.

"An MP must try to be available to take up and represent constituent’s issues, interests and concerns.

This can be quite a challenge, as the consideration of an average 500 enquiries a week has to be balanced with the equally important work of parliamentary debates, committee work and constituency engagements. For a fuller insight into the workload of an MP do visit www.adam4windsor.com.

Assisting constituents is an essential part of the job. This requires energy, determination and, above all, organisation and persistence; especially when dealing with government bodies on behalf of residents.

The old style MP used to hold a ‘surgery’ once every few weeks in a specific location and ask people to travel and queue to see them. It often took many months before any meaningful work could be undertaken to resolve an issue. The result was, often, frustrated constituents.

So I decided that, in order to respond more speedily and take up issues more effectively, I’d adopt the modern approach.

It has been hard work, but by responding to residents quickly by phone or email, I can begin work on resolving the issues as soon as possible. It is often possible to take action and correspond on the same day that an inquiry comes in!

It has worked well – despite the occasional hiccup - and it is a real thrill when I’m able to bring matters to a quick resolution on behalf of constituents.

Constituency case-work is hard work and seemingly never-ending, but it can be incredibly rewarding when a resident informs you that your actions have resulted in a successful outcome.

I do hope you will not need to contact me, but if you do, I hope to respond and take appropriate action as quickly as possible."

Adam Afriyie, MP for Windsor