The role of MP's (AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

Constituency work

• MPs each represent a geographical area called a constituency

  • There are 650 constituencies in the UK

    • Examples include South Devon and Manchester Central

• MPs deal with issues raised by local residents

  • Common issues include housing, immigration, benefits, healthcare, education and transport

• MPs act on behalf of constituents in a range of ways

  • Writing to government departments, ministers, local councils and agencies (e.g. the Home Office or NHS)

  • Raising issues through written or oral questions in the House of Commons

  • Taking part in debates linked to local concerns

• MPs are expected to be active in their constituency by:

  • Visiting schools, hospitals, businesses and community groups

  • Attending local events and meetings

  • Speaking out publicly on local issues

• MPs hold regular constituency surgeries

  • Residents can meet their MP face to face to discuss personal or local problems

Legislative role

• MPs play a key role in making and changing laws

  • Debating and voting on government bills

  • Deciding whether to support or oppose new laws

  • Suggesting amendments to improve or challenge a bill

• Many MPs sit on Public Bill Committees

  • Examine draft laws line by line

  • Hear evidence from experts and interest groups

• MPs can introduce laws through Private Members’ Bills

  • Backbench MPs enter a ballot to introduce a bill

  • MPs with a low ballot number have a better chance of success

  • Examples of Private Members’ Bills that became law include

    • The smoking ban made it illegal to smoke in enclosed public places and workplaces in the UK

    • The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 placed a legal duty on councils to help people at risk of homelessness earlier by providing advice and support before they become homeless

Political role

• Most MPs belong to a political party

  • eg Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats

• MPs are expected to:

  • Support their party’s policies and manifesto

  • Usually vote with their party, following the party whip

• MPs are involved in their local party

  • They attend meetings and fundraising events

  • They campaign during elections

• Some MPs take on extra responsibilities:

  • Ministers or Junior Ministers in government run departments and develop policy

  • Shadow ministers in opposition scrutinise government departments and policies

• MPs may also act as media representatives by giving interviews, writing articles and using social media to promote party policies

Pay, expenses and accountability

• MPs earn a salary of £93,904 per year

• MPs can also claim expenses for

  • Staff wages

  • Office costs

  • Travel between Westminster and their constituency

  • Accommodation if needed

• Expenses are not extra income and must be related to Parliamentary work

  • They are closely monitored by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) which ensures claims are fair and lawful

• All claims are published publicly

  • This allows the public and media to check how money is spent

  • This helps maintain transparency and accountability