Parliament might be in recess – but I’m not

I get asked this question a lot in the summer so it’s good to get this chance to set the record straight. 

“So there’s no Parliament – nice long holiday for you then, Amanda?”  And I wish that was true.** 

(** I secretly don’t wish this was true. I quite like to be busy and I get bored if I have too much time off.)  

Time is one of the things I wish I had more of. When Parliament is sitting, I can only be in the constituency Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That’s why I always see recess as a great opportunity to spend more time out and about, speaking with you.  

It really matters to me that I raise your concerns in the House, that I am a passionate advocate for North West Leicestershire in the corridors of power. It’s a vital part of being your MP.  I’m honoured to do that and I’ve spoken 76  times in the House this year already.  

But it’s only a part of what I do. 

My job is about representing you – and that means not just speaking up in Parliament but being present in North West Leicestershire, my favourite part of the job. I want to meet with you, to listen, to help where I can and raise your concerns where they can be heard by people who can help and make a difference when I can’t.  

So how do we do that?  

We (My amazing team and I) go out on the road and we meet you, and we listen.  

Last week was our small tour of North West Leicestershire. If this was the back print of a rock band’s tour t-shirt it would say: Monday, Castle Donington; Wednesday, Coalville; Thursday, Ashby.  

We call them the ‘Ask Amanda’ events. It’s a chance for you to come along with your friends, family or neighbours and chat with me, over a cup of tea and tell me about the issues that matter to you most. 

I also have regular surgeries and coffee mornings right across the constituency on a Friday or Saturday when Parliament sits – but this is a chance to meet people in their own back yard and to hear directly from them what is troubling them in a much more relaxed way for everyone.  

Does it work? Yes, it does. 

I always learn something new, hearing your stories, listening to your concerns. There are universal themes though – housing, cost of living, jobs, public transport (buses and trains, or lack of, are always a regular one) – and then worries that are specific to a certain area. 

I can’t solve all of these problems on my own – which is why I am always open about working with our local councils, and councillors for the betterment of North West Leicestershire.  

I hope to meet you at one of my future ‘Ask Amanda’s’ or just out and about across the constituency. Please do come and say hello if you see me out and about!  

It was also Nick Rushton’s funeral last week, at Our Lady of Lourdes church in Ashby. It was a fitting ceremony for a man who, despite our political differences, I always had a lot of time for and worked well with. Rest in peace, Nick.