Letter from Jackie Lawrence MP
ENGAGING VOTERS
Thank you for your letter and survey form. Measures
to restore interest of voters in the democratic process and the
workings of elected bodies must indeed be a priority for MPs.
Whilst I appreciate the motivation of the modernisation
committee and the need for action I am disappointed in the content
of the survey both for its omissions and its apparent failure
to recognise that MPs, not the House Authorities, have the primary
role in re-engaging interest in our work.
For example, question 1.1 on the survey omits
"media releases" as a means of communication, yet this
is probably the primary source of "getting the message across"
for most MPs.
Also, the main thrust of the survey from question
1.7 relates to the role of the House authorities or changes to
House procedures rather than a focus on the role of MPs in communicating
with the public.
It is my view that if we are to re-engage with
the public as a whole this is best done on a 1:1 basis between
MPs and their constituents rather than between "the public"
and "The House". Perhaps the best support of that principle
is the recognition amongst both media and MPs that it is the "personal"
story that relates a message rather than the theory!
Nor do I feel that a "tinkering" with
systems relating to EDMs as suggested will restore interest. Allowing
the public to have direct means to show support for EDMs for example
will deprive MPs of a "barometer" of public opinion
that currently exists through their mailbag. As you know, the
public currently ask MPs to show support for an issue by signing
an EDM. That is a valuable measure via an MPs mailbox of public
feeling in their constituency on any given issue. It would be
detrimental to the work of an MP to remove that tool.
My additional fear is that: the establishment
of House online surveys; production of a newsletter of forthcoming
business; or the creation of a Citizen's Education Centre will
do nothing to extend interest across the whole population. Indeed
it will simply add to the House establishment and running costs.
Nor do I feel that the "dumbing down" of debates, questions,
committees or Parliamentary language as suggested in Q 2.3 will
achieve any improvement in interest.
Surely the best way to "re-connect"
is to provide support for individual MPs to improve the way that
they are personally able to communicate with their constituents?
For example, currently those MPs who do not have constituency
offices with the resultant overheads are able to use their IEP
to produce an Annual Report for constituents. Those who have a
CLP presence spend their IEP on running costs.
An analysis of the IEP and allocation of resources
specifically for given purposes could restore this balance. Such
a move would allow all MPs to have the means to communicate effectively
at least once a year with each voter in their constituency through
an Annual Report.
Also, as an MP with a constituency 250 miles
from London, I regret that the new Parliamentary hours and Recess
arrangements mean that my constituents who wish to bring children
to see the workings of Parliament are now unable to do so as Parliament
is now in recess for every school holiday and half term break.
It is regrettable that this has removed the opportunity for children
and young people to see Parliament in operation in person unless
they live within short travelling distance of London.
My constituents have to travel around five hours
by either public or private transport to come to here. It was
possible before the change in hours for bus trips to be arranged
to arrive in London at around 11.00 am (setting off from Pembrokeshire
at around 5.00 or 6.00 am) and for a tour of the House of Commons
to be arranged and maybe a visit to the Strangers' Gallery before
leaving London at around 6.00 pm to arrive back in Pembrokeshire
by 11.00 pm. That is no longer possible and with the shortage
of gallery tickets, particularly on Wednesdays for PMQs my constituents
have decreased access to Parliament at Westminster. A review of
working hours on Tuesdays could redress this by once again allowing
access on Tuesday mornings.
Finally, I regret that the entire thrust of
the survey and the moves suggested within it, run the risk of
by-passing MPs rather than recognising their role as the primary
link with the public.
It would be a great shame if a Labour Government
in attempting to "re-connect" acted in such a way that
in reality made the situation worse.
December 2003
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