Ann Coffey

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Stockport Express Column - August 2009

One of the things I value most about our democratic system is the link between a Member of Parliament and her or his constituency.

Working in Stockport during the recess brings it home to me again and again how vital this link is, and of course it also helps me do a better job in Parliament. Over the years I have been involved in literally hundreds of local issues, and I find that with all national issues there is always a local angle. So the two halves of being your MP come together.

The number of constituents getting in contact seems to go up all the time, especially since e-mail is so easy to use. But we still handle hundreds of phone calls and letters - and of course meet face to face at advice surgeries.

I am delighted that so many people take an interest in national legislation. But often people come to their MP for help because they have a very difficult personal issue, and we are their last resort. Sometimes I realise they have just not been able to get their voice heard, and then it's a question of getting someone in the right organisation to listen to their story.

Time and again, I find it's a simple question of communication and common sense. I recently met a group of housing association residents who were really worried about the tall trees near their homes which were overgrown and damaging a wall. The trees had a preservation order on them, and both residents and the housing association thought this meant they could not be felled or made safe. They just hadn't been given the information they needed to apply to do the work on the trees. By getting the residents, the housing association and the council together at a meeting we were able to get the whole matter sorted out. An application went in, the council agreed to the work on the trees, and the residents feel safe again.

If only life in Parliament could be so simple!