About your new MP
On 12th December 2019 the people of Heywood & Middleton constituency, which includes Bamford, Castleton and Norden, elected Chris Clarkson as their new Member of Parliament (MP) to represent their interests and concerns in the House of Commons. Unless an early election is called, the current Government should remain in power until May 2024.
As your MP Chris can consider and can propose new laws as well as raising issues that matter to you in the House of Commons. This includes asking government ministers questions about current issues including those which affect local constituents.
Chris splits his time between working in Parliament itself and working here in the Heywood & Middleton constituency which he represents. Chris has a local constituency team who are available here when he is working in Parliament, but he spends as much time as possible in the constituency and holds regular local surgeries to meet constituents.
Unfortunately, Chris cannot represent people from outside the Heywood & Middleton constituency boundary. However, Chris can provide the details of the MP who represents your area.
What does Chris do in Parliament?
When Parliament is sitting (meeting), Chris generally spends his time working in the House of Commons. This can include raising issues affecting constituents, attending debates and voting on new laws. This can either be by asking a question of a government minister on your behalf or supporting and highlighting particular campaigns that local people feel strongly about.
Like most MPs, Chris is also a member of various committees, which look at issues in more detail, from government policy and new laws to wider topics like human rights.
What does Chris do in the constituency?
In the constituency, Chris holds regular 'surgeries' in his office and other public places that make it easy for people to come and speak to him and his team about any matters that concern them.
Chris also attends public functions, visits schools and businesses and generally tries to meet as many people as possible. This gives Chris further insight and context into issues he may discuss when he returns to Westminster.
What can Chris do for you?
Chris can assist his constituents in a variety of ways, from making private inquiries on your behalf, to raising matters publicly in the House of Commons.
First steps…
Keeping the issue private, Chris might write to the relevant department or official, send a letter to the appropriate Minister or make a personal appointment to discuss the issue. These steps can often go a long way to providing a solution.
Making the issue public...
Chris may decide to make the issue public by raising it in the House of Commons, where it will be officially recorded, and could potentially come to the attention of the press and public.
Outside Parliament…
Chris may, at his discretion, speak at an event concerning the issue, pledge his support to a campaign or write to the local media on your behalf.
Restrictions
Ministers are restricted by a Code of Conduct and cannot raise certain matters in the House. Parliamentary Private Secretaries and opposition spokespeople may also be restrained by internal party rules.