Understanding the Role of Elected Members

Elected members are people chosen by the public to represent them. This includes:

  • Members of Parliament (MPs): They work in the House of Commons.
  • Assembly Members: They work in devolved governments like the Welsh Assembly.
  • Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs): They represent people in Scotland.
  • Members of the European Parliament (MEPs): They represent people in the UK at the European level (note: the role of MEPs changed after Brexit).

Duty to Serve and Represent

All elected members have a duty to serve their constituents. This means they listen to the concerns of the people who live in their area and try to help them.

How to Contact Your Elected Members

You can contact your elected members in different ways:

  1. Find Their Details:
    • You can get contact details for your representatives from:
      • Your local library.
      • The website www.parliament.uk.
      • The Phone Book (published by BT).
      • Yellow Pages.
  2. Ways to Contact:
    • You can write a letter or call them at their constituency office or at the House of Commons.
    • Here is the address for contacting an MP: The House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
    • The phone number to reach the House of Commons is 020 7729 3000.
  3. Local Surgeries:
    • Many elected members hold surgeries. These are local meetings where you can go and talk to your MP or other representatives about issues that matter to you.
    • These surgeries are often announced in local newspapers, so keep an eye out for them!

Questions for Practice

Easy Level Questions

  1. What does an MP stand for?
    • A) Member of Parliament
    • B) Member of Police
    • C) Member of Public
    • D) Member of Party
  2. Where can you find contact details for your MP?
    • A) Local supermarket
    • B) Local library
    • C) Local cafĂ©
    • D) Local school
  3. How can you contact your MP?
    • A) Only by email
    • B) By letter or telephone
    • C) Only in person
    • D) Only through social media
  4. What is a ‘surgery’?
    • A) A place for operations
    • B) A meeting to discuss issues
    • C) A type of hospital
    • D) A school event
  5. What is the address of the House of Commons?
    • A) London SW1A 1AA
    • B) London SW1A 0AA
    • C) London SW2A 0AA
    • D) London SW1B 0AA
  6. Who do Assembly Members represent?
    • A) People in Scotland
    • B) People in Wales
    • C) People in Northern Ireland
    • D) People in England
  7. Where can you find details of your elected members online?
  8. What is one way to contact your elected member?
    • A) Sending a text message
    • B) Writing a letter
    • C) Sending a postcard
    • D) Posting on their social media
  9. What do MPs do?
    • A) Represent their constituents
    • B) Run local businesses
    • C) Work as teachers
    • D) Manage hospitals
  10. Where can you find the Phone Book?
    • A) Online only
    • B) In local libraries and stores
    • C) At the airport
    • D) In schools

Medium Level Questions

  1. What is the main duty of elected members?
    • A) To entertain the public
    • B) To serve and represent their constituents
    • C) To manage private businesses
    • D) To travel abroad
  2. Where can you often find information about local surgeries?
    • A) Local newspaper
    • B) Local TV channel
    • C) Local radio station
    • D) Local university website
  3. What is the role of MEPs?
    • A) To represent people in local councils
    • B) To represent the UK in the European Parliament
    • C) To manage schools
    • D) To run local businesses
  4. How often do MPs hold surgeries?
    • A) Every day
    • B) Occasionally
    • C) Once a month
    • D) Only during election time
  5. What is one reason to contact your MP?
    • A) To complain about a shop
    • B) To discuss a local issue
    • C) To ask for a job
    • D) To book a holiday
  6. How do you address a letter to an MP?
    • A) Dear Sir/Madam
    • B) To Whom It May Concern
    • C) Dear Friend
    • D) Hi there
  7. What is one benefit of attending a surgery?
    • A) Free food
    • B) Discussing personal issues
    • C) Talking about community issues
    • D) Getting free tickets to events
  8. Where do MPs work?
    • A) Local businesses
    • B) House of Commons
    • C) Schools
    • D) Hospitals
  9. What is the purpose of the Phone Book?
    • A) To list businesses only
    • B) To provide contact details for people and businesses
    • C) To advertise products
    • D) To provide news articles
  10. What type of government do Assembly Members work in?
    • A) National government
    • B) Devolved government
    • C) Local government
    • D) Private sector

Hard Level Questions

  1. When do MPs usually hold their surgeries?
    • A) Only when Parliament is not in session
    • B) Every Tuesday
    • C) Every weekend
    • D) Only in the summer
  2. What is the significance of the address SW1A 0AA?
    • A) It is a postal code for a park
    • B) It is the address for the House of Commons
    • C) It is the address for a local shop
    • D) It is the address for a school
  3. Which elected member works in Scotland?
    • A) MP
    • B) MEP
    • C) MSP
    • D) Assembly Member
  4. Why is it important to know how to contact your elected members?
    • A) To complain
    • B) To represent your views and concerns
    • C) To socialize
    • D) To network
  5. What type of issues can you discuss at a surgery?
    • A) Only personal issues
    • B) Local community issues
    • C) National issues only
    • D) Issues related to sports
  6. What is the role of the local library in relation to contacting elected members?
    • A) To hold surgeries
    • B) To provide contact information
    • C) To run local elections
    • D) To offer legal advice
  7. How are MPs chosen?
    • A) Appointed by the Queen
    • B) Elected by the public
    • C) Nominated by local councils
    • D) Selected by their party
  8. What is a key characteristic of a local surgery?
    • A) It is held in a private home
    • B) It is for discussing personal health
    • C) It allows constituents to discuss issues directly with their MP
    • D) It is a formal meeting with no questions allowed
  9. What is the importance of the website www.parliament.uk?
    • A) It is a shopping site
    • B) It provides information about Parliament and elected members
    • C) It is a social media platform
    • D) It is a news site
  10. How can you express your opinion to your elected representatives?
    • A) By writing letters or attending surgeries
    • B) By posting on social media
    • C) By talking to friends only
    • D) By ignoring them

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

  1. A) Member of Parliament
  2. B) Local library
  3. B) By letter or telephone
  4. B) A meeting to discuss issues
  5. B) London SW1A 0AA
  6. B) People in Wales
  7. B) www.parliament.uk
  8. B) Writing a letter
  9. A) Represent their constituents
  10. B) In local libraries and stores

Medium Level Answers

  1. B) To serve and represent their constituents
  2. A) Local newspaper
  3. B) To represent the UK in the European Parliament
  4. B) Occasionally
  5. B) To discuss a local issue
  6. A) Dear Sir/Madam
  7. C) Talking about community issues
  8. B) House of Commons
  9. B) To provide contact details for people and businesses
  10. B) Devolved government

Hard Level Answers

  1. A) Only when Parliament is not in session
  2. B) It is the address for the House of Commons
  3. C) MSP
  4. B) To represent your views and concerns
  5. B) Local community issues
  6. B) To provide contact information
  7. B) Elected by the public
  8. C) It allows constituents to discuss issues directly with their MP
  9. B) It provides information about Parliament and elected members
  10. A) By writing letters or attending surgeries