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It's 05 July 2008

Protocol clarified on representing constituents
"Members and Constituency Etiquette"

Latest update: 11 December 2007

Should I be representing this constituent? S/he doesn't live in my constituency but has asked for our help.

There is an oft-quoted "strict parliamentary protocol" that MPs do not pursue issues raised by or about constituents of other MPs. Our view on this has always been: "In the absence of any very clear definition of this protocol, you should use common sense and refer any matter concerning someone who is not your constituent to his or her own MP."

However, it's all a bit more complicated than that and there is a very helpful Standard Note (SN/PC/2028), last updated on 12 November 2007 by Richard Kelly in the Commons Library: "Members and Constituency Etiquette", which spells it out. You should read it in detail and add it to your own collection of essential guides. If you get things wrong your boss is going to blame YOU when s/he gets it in the neck!

Here's what the contents page looks like:

Click here to read our pdf version 63 KB.

To find the MP for any address in the UK, use this website: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/commons/l/ - all you need is the postcode. Or the House of Commons Information line on 020 7219 4272 will give you the same information. Both these resources are publicly available.

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