21st February 2023 — I entirely understand the concern of some in Frome that I have been prevented from attending or voting in parliament since claims were first published in the media last April, and again recently.
Complaints are being investigated, and some have concluded, but the process continues. Complaints in the Scottish Parliament take an average of 36 days to be resolved. By contrast, in their recent Annual Report, the UK Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievances. Scheme (ICGS) confirmed an average of 262 days to for complaints to be resolved.
In my case, it has been almost a year. This, I agree, is far, far too long and it’s an immensely frustrating condition of the investigation process that I am not allowed to comment in any way on the investigation until it is concluded.
Together with my hardworking office team, however, I have been working for local people throughout this time and I continue to represent them at all levels.
During the past year, I have in fact dealt with well over 1,000 pieces of casework for the people of Frome alone and corresponded with them on more than 500 policy questions. I am in continual contact with Ministers and since September I have submitted 56 official Parliamentary Written Questions to Government on behalf of local people.
A sample of issues which I and my team have been dealing with over the past 11 months
include:
• Help with access to information on help with the rise in the cost of living, problems
with energy bills
• Access to cash / post office closures / ATMs
• Local bus services
• DVLA – multiple cases of delayed driving licence applications & renewals
• DWP – problems with access to benefits; lost/delayed pensions
• Access to NHS dentistry
• Access & delays to GP surgery appointments; delayed elective surgery
• Access to Covid booster jabs, complaints about NHS services
• Noise pollution from low flying aircraft and quarries plus light pollution
• Anti-social behaviour; complaints about the police; complaints about drug-dealing
• Problems with housing associations; problems getting on the housing list
• Home Office – delays with visa applications/support with visa applications
• Delayed planning applications, objections to planning applications and local plan
issues
• Council services – including recycling; transport to schools & school placements
• Speeding & dangerous driving
• Street furniture; potholes; HGVs and sat navs
• Problems with banks & mortgages
• Delays at the Land Registry
• Complaints about water companies & sewage discharge and flooding
• Parking penalties, broadband and connectivity issues.
In terms of voting and speaking in parliament, although this has – by mutual agreement with the House – paused for the duration of the ICGS investigation, I must emphasise the fact that neither Government nor Opposition Whips can ever speak in the House.
Ministers, Parliamentary Private Secretaries and Whips (which make up at least 150 MPs from the governing party), plus Opposition Ministers and Whips and those of the SNP, Lib Dems etc can never vote against their parties, so more than 250 out of 650 constituencies routinely have no dissenting voice.
Conversely, I have voted 18 times against the Government since the 2019 election. I know some MPs who have been in the House for more than 20 years and have never voted against their party. I will always exercise and follow my own mind.
The Speaker of the House is currently considering allowing me a proxy vote which, if given, will immediately give Frome a vote once again in the House.
My constituents rightly recognise the very real national issues before us all, and I will continue to exercise my influence in addressing them with the Government. And I cannot express how urgently I look forward to the investigations concluding and to resuming the seat in the Commons which it is my privilege to occupy on your behalf.
