Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent voters’ interests and concerns in the House of Commons and hold the government to account, as well as make laws.
MPs consider and can propose new laws as well as raising issues that matter to voters in the House. This includes asking government ministers questions about current issues including those which affect local constituents.
The average MP receives several hundred emails, letters and phone calls every day and is allowed to employ a small team to support them in their duties. This often includes a secretary, caseworkers, and researcher or assistant.
MPs often act as figureheads for local campaigns and help to raise awareness of important issues both locally and nationally.
MPs do not have executive power, this means they cannot give direct instructions to any government agency or public bodies, but they can contact them on behalf of constituents and raise concerns and ask questions. They also have no authority over local councils or councillors.
In addition MPs cannot interfere in the judicial process and cannot tell a court or judge what to do, or overturn a court decision.
MPs split their time between working in Parliament itself and working in the constituency that elected them.
How Amanda carries out her role -
Working in Parliament
When Parliament is sitting (meeting), Amanda spends her time working in the House of Commons.
This can include raising issues affecting her constituents and highlighting campaigns that local people feel strongly about. This can be achieved by asking specific questions of Government ministers, attending debates, attending weekly committee meetings and voting on new laws.
Amanda has been a member of several Select Committees and often serves on Bill Committees. During this work she looks at issues in detail, from government policy and new laws, to wider topics like business ethics, policing and education.
Working in the Constituency
When Parliament is not sitting, or in recess, Amanda returns to the constituency, where she lives in Brereton. When here Amanda works from her constituency office and spends her time addressing issues raised by constituents and trying to help them with their problems. Amanda holds surgeries, where constituents can come along to discuss any matters that concern them.
She also attends as many local events as she can, as well as visiting schools and businesses. Amanda finds these very useful because this gives her further insight and context into issues she may want to raise in Westminster.
Amanda also runs annual events like Jobs Fairs, local competitions like the Best Shop & Market Stall competition and takes part in local fundraising activities for Cannock Chase based groups.
If you would like Amanda to attend an event, visit a local community group or charity or visit your business please contact the office on 01543 877142 or email Amanda.milling.mp@parliament.uk.
Constituency Office
Amanda has a shop on Market Street in Hednesford, which is a fully staffed constituency office with caseworkers ready to help local constituents with issues. This casework team are accessible to residents of Cannock Chase to assist in any way they can while Amanda is in Parliament.
No appointment is necessary and constituents can visit between 12noon and 4pm on Monday to Friday. The office is at 11a Market Street, Hednesford, WS12 1AY. Market Street has free parking bays which offer 40 minutes free parking.
The office can also be contacted on telephone (01543 877142) between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and constituents can also email Amanda on amanda.milling.mp@parliament.uk.
It is better to make contact with the constituency office before requesting a surgery appointment, as an issue can often be addressed immediately upon speaking to one of Amanda’s team, and fully resolved without having to wait for a surgery appointment.