But what can an Independent MP do for me?
I’m often asked if, as an independent MP, I’d really have enough power to make a difference for you.
The answer is a resounding “yes!” Here are just a few of the ways I will be able to represent you, both inside and outside Parliament.
- Making The Most of The Media
Influencing government policy and representing constituents is about way more than sitting in Parliament and voting.
You’ll have seen plenty of politicians — elected and otherwise! — on the TV.
They’re on everything from Question Time and breakfast news to Have I Got News For You.
They’re all over podcasts and newspapers too.
In short, being an MP gives you profile. And as an MP, you can use that profile to raise issues on the national stage, and to access and influence other politicians and policy makers.
An independent winning here would be newsworthy, and I’d make the most of that media interest, just as I’ve done locally already.
I’d use that powerful platform to champion our area and its people, and to shape the debate on the big political issues that impact on us all.
- Casework & Correspondence
A huge part of the job of an MP that lots of us rarely see much of is the ‘casework’ and ‘correspondence’.
A good MP holds surgeries in their constituency and really gets to grips with the many incoming letters and emails.
They write thousands of letters and make countless phone calls and attend meetings on behalf of individual constituents and local bodies to fix problems for constituents — and to make sure their questions, feedback and grievances are taken seriously by Ministers.
This requires a dedicated, hard-working MP, which sadly we’ve not had in much of around here for many years.
I’ve shown in my various roles as Mayor and councillor that I’m the sort of representative who will always put in a full shift for my constituents.
MPs also work hard behind the scenes to persuade ministers to fully consider the local implications of national policy.
In my experience, once you get outside the public slanging matches of party political votes, Ministers are often open to constructive suggestions, especially about local angles that’ve been overlooked.
Why? Because getting this stuff right makes their life and policy consultations way easier! If anything, being an independent makes that easier — the government can be reasonable without being seen to ‘give in’ to opposition demands.
- Shaping Laws
But what about Parliament? The main function of parliament is to make laws. Yet there’s way more to this than the heated debates and votes you might see on TV — and there’s ample opportunity for an Independent MP to influence these laws.
First, an MP (usually a Cabinet minister) proposes a bill. The House of Commons debates this before voting, and Independent MPs can speak in these debates.
In fact, accounts suggest that Independent MPs are more likely to be allowed by the Speaker to speak than backbench MPs in a party.
And as well as having more opportunity to speak, I’d be free to say what I think is right for my constituents, instead of having to speak for or against a bill just because it was proposed or opposed by my party. Then I’d then be free to vote the way I think is right — not just the way a party whip tells me to.
If a majority of MPs agree on the first stage, the bill goes to a committee of MPs that sometimes makes changes to the bill. Independent MPs can sit on these committees and propose changes, just like any others.
Next, the committee sends the bill back to the Commons where it’s debated again.
Yet another opportunity for me, your Independent MP, to shape the debate and influence how others see the issues.
Finally, there’s another vote, and if it passes the bill becomes law.
Again, as your independent MP, I wouldn’t be constrained by a party ‘whipping’ operation, where the party tell their MP’s how to vote. I could always vote the way I believe is right — and I would always be able to justify that vote to my constituents, and not hide behind carefully crafted party lines.
- Parliamentary Questions
An Independent MP can, of course, ask questions in the House of Commons.
They can use these to attract attention to issues that matter to their constituents and the local area.
They can also submit formal written questions to ministers.
And, of course, all of this comes free from party political pressure — no demands from a party leader to keep quiet about something, to tread a certain diplomatic line, or back down to give the time over to some other party priority.
- Other Committees & Commissions
There are lots of other parliamentary committees, the most influential of which are the Select Committees — powerful bodies whose inquiry reports are made public, and the government must respond to them.
They provide a really important check on government power.
A lot of the work of the House of Commons takes place in these Select Committees, which are made up of around 16 to 50 MPs.
They examine issues in detail, from government policy to wider topics like the economy. They also run inquiries on specific topics, such as river pollution or flooding.
Select committees also carry out their work by engaging with the public through events and surveys, and even making visits to see the reality of a situation. Select Committee reports can put a lot of pressure on the government to reconsider or change policy on a topic.
You can learn a bit more about them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTtP39bLYBg
An Independent MP can play an active role in all of this — again, free from the pressure and constraints a party’s leadership puts on them
- Soft Power & Keeping Informed
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party groups formed by MPs and Members of the House of Lords who share a common interest in a particular policy area, region or country.
Unlike Select Committees, APPGs have no official status in Parliament — but they do have ‘soft power’.
Not only are they useful to inform members about issues that are up for discussion, but they can put pressure on government departments on a wide range of issues from Adult Social care to Water Safety.
They influence the views of MPs on a range of topics, away from formal debates and partisan politics.
And they provide a great way for individual members to exercise influence on a personal level.
- A Critical Friend
Finally, Governments love ‘third party endorsements’. It lends credibility to their policies.
As an independent MP, I’d be free to back the government where I believe they’re right.
Let’s face it, Labour are set to win and win big. Yet the Labour Party itself is a fragile coalition of different factions.
You can bet there will come a time when internal squabbles boil over and the leadership needs allies.
That’s potentially a very powerful bargaining chip for a progressive independent…
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What Did The Romans Ever Do For Us?!
OK… but apart from working the media, holding regular constituency surgeries, writing thousands of letters, haranguing ministers to do the right thing, voting in parliament, participating in debates, shaping laws, asking Parliamentary Questions, sitting on Select Committees and All-Party Parliamentary Working Groups… You get the idea!
