For many years I have always gone out regularly on a Saturday morning with a team of volunteers to knock on doors in Northampton North to canvass for the views of my constituents on their doorsteps.
I do this throughout each year, and not just at election times! With tens of thousands of houses it takes a long time to visit everyone but over the years every street has been visited many times! I always enjoy hearing the views of my constituents if they are in when we call.
The pandemic meant that these Saturday morning sessions had to be suspended but they have since re-started and they are an invaluable way of knowing and understanding the issues people in Northampton North are passionate about.
In the last fortnight I have been out with a great team of dedicated volunteers in Kingsthorpe. Together with the three councillors responsible for the area, Sam Rumens, Michael Brown and Mohammed Aziz, we called to let residents know of the work we have recently been doing in the area.
I always welcome hearing from constituents, as do the councillors. A key part of our jobs is recognising the concerns of constituents, from national policy concerns to more localised issues and subjects, and representing constituents’ views both in Parliament and to local authorities.
(Photo: Michael Ellis MP with volunteers in Northampton)