My work in the North Southwark and Bermondsey constituency

As your elected member of parliament, I am here to help you and represent your views, no matter how you voted in previous elections.

As long as you are one of my constituents, there are many ways in which I can make a difference and, hopefully, solve your problem. In the event that I can't, I will usually be able to point you towards someone who can be of assistance, so don't hesitate to get in touch. I am always happy to help.

A few examples of what I can do

MPs deal with a broad range of issues and it can sometimes be difficult to work out on which matters your to consult your MP. To try and guide you, here are a few examples of things I can do to help:

• Listen to your views on any local or national issue. Your views are important to me and they can help shape Liberal Democrats policy and raise awareness on issues so small that I can push for government action.
• Make sure that the voice of the people of North Southwark and Bermondsey is heard, by representing your interests and needs in the House of Commons and raising problems with the appropriate government minister.
• Take up an issue on your behalf: if you are having problems with local issues such as housing, education, anti-social behaviour, unemployment or health, or are experiencing difficulties with benefits, asylum, visa applications or pensions, I can usually do something to solve your problem.
• If you have a complaint about the maladministration of a government agency (a department, an executive agency or a quango) and I cannot resolve it myself by writing to or meeting the appropriate person, I can contact the parliamentary ombudsman on your behalf.
• I can also contact the local government ombudsman if you have a complaint about the maladministration of a local council. Ombudsmen do not deal with problems relating to policy (politicians do that), they only deal with errors of administration (delays, poor decision-making), which have damaged or affected individuals personally.
• Where national and local government come together to provide resources and deliver services, I can collaborate with local councillors to achieve faster and better results in resolving problems.
• Although I am a trained barrister, I gave up regular practice after my election as an MP. However, I can help to point you in the right direction if you need legal advice.

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Not sure if I'm your MP?

Enter your postcode in They Work for You (an external website) to find out if I'm your MP.

You can find out more about your area by entering your postcode in Up My Street (an external website).

My team and I work hard to help people with a wide variety of problems. The pie chart below gives an indication of the type of cases people ask for help with. Between summer 2008 and summer 2009 my team and I helped with almost 4000 people's problems.

Sometimes, a constituency problem can be solved on the spot, by talking it through, giving some advice or by writing to someone in a local or national government department. Other issues require action in Westminster by writing to or meeting the relevant minister, asking questions in the chamber, holding an adjournment debate, or in some cases putting a complaint to the Ombudsman.

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Our community is rightly proud of the history and diversity of our local area. The constituency includes landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the Tate Modern and the Imperial War Museum. We have as residents some of the richest and poorest people in London. People from all over the world live here.

This presents challenges in representing such a variety of people and communities as a local MP, but it also what makes my job so interesting and I am privileged to have met so many inspiring people who work hard to contribute to a fantastic community.

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My role, first and foremost, is to protect the rights and liberties of individuals living in my constituency. People are often confused by the artificial division between an MP's work in Westminster and what they do in the constituency, but in reality, it's part and parcel of the same thing. MPs defend the rights of their constituents by gathering views and concerns in the constituency and expressing them in parliament, thus holding the government to account.

My work in Westminster and the constituency is linked as I keep in touch with what is happening locally so I can represent your interests in Westminster. Business and legislation passed in Westminster also has a large impact on what happens in the constituency. For example, I regularly press the government to build more affordable housing as this is the biggest problem which my constituents tell me about. For more information about this, look at my work in Parliament.

When I do not need to be present in Westminster for debates or votes or when parliament is in recess, you can find me out and about in North Southwark and Bermondsey, visiting local organisations and attending events. You can see more about my recent activities in my diary.

Most of my time is spent meeting as many constituents as possible, whether it is sorting out particular problems or simply meeting for a chat. I hold regular advice surgeries and visit residents or attend meetings with them. I am always available to help my constituents.

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