Go To: My record | EDMs | WP Select Committee
Overview:
In the House of Commons new laws are debated, amended and voted on. MPs also discuss topical issues, hold the government to account by asking questions, and receive evidence from experts across a broad range of subjects. Government departments take it in turns to come to the House of Commons and answer questions. MPs are also able to table written questions to the individual Secretary's of State on any issue for which they have responsibility.
As a Liberal Democrat MP, I naturally support the values my party stand for. However, when I disagree with the party position (or that of the Coalition) because of personal principle or local concern I am quite prepared to express those views. My priority is always going to be Eastbourne!
More about my work in Parliament:
This site will be updated regularly with news stories on how I have voted. You can also access the external website 'They Work For You' for a full account of my history within the House (including speeches and voting record).
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Early Day Motions:
Early Day Motions (EDMS) are formal motions submitted for debate within in the House of Commons.
MPs can introduce new ones themselves and also add their names to those put down by other MPs. In practice, they are very rarely debated but they raise publicity of an issue and show support for a particular issue or campaign
Recently, I have tabled EDMS to:
- Campaign for a public inquiry into the deaths at Gosport Hospital.
- Insist the Government takes action to alleviate poverty among people with muscle disease
- Revise the visa rules for English Language Students
As long as they are consistent with my party's and my own principles, I am happy to sign motions when constituents ask me to do so.
You can view all the EDMs I have supported and signed on the external Parliament EDM site.
Work and Pensions Select Committee:
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Under the Coalition Government, Select Committees are more powerful than ever with independently elected chairs. Their function is to scrutinise the objectives, delivery and operations of specific government departments; in this case the Department for Work and Pensions, and hold them to account. They are supposed to be independent, less party political than the rest of Parliament and aim to present unanimous reports. They are able to request meetings with Ministers who are then obliged to give evidence. Select Committees also take evidence from interested parties outside government. Their reports often guide and influence policy. Why did I want to be a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee? There are a number of reasons, which are broadly summarised as a determination to ensure that the benefit, employment and pension reforms proposed by the Coalition Government are rooted in fairness. In my view the reforms are imaginative and constructive and are designed to address the scandal of our country being prepared to simply ignore and pay off over six million of our citizens deemed as economically inactive. I thought this was a shocking dereliction of duty and I am delighted that a serious and liberal attempt is being made to deal with this grotesque waste of human opportunity. My view is very simple, those who can work should and those who can't must be properly protected. Whilst those who for whatever reason have lost the will or expertise to work, need to be supported, cajoled and encouraged back into employment. If this programme succeeds, Britain will be a happier, self-confident and more responsible country. |
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