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Help with problems

I will always try to help and advise constituents with problems, although of course I can't guarantee success. I regard this as a very important part of my work as an MP.

I am afraid I can't deal with problems for you if you don't live in Walthamstow;  you need to approach your own MP. You can write to him/her at: House of Commons London SW1A OAA. If you are not sure who your MP is enter your postcode into the Constituency Locator to find out. 

As an MP I am best placed to help you with problems which relate to Government Departments or Agencies.

I can't interfere in or influence legal actions or court cases. For that sort of problem you really need to consult a qualified solicitor. Since I am not legally qualified it would be wrong for me to give legal advice.

I can't instruct any Department or Agency on what they should do, nor can I instruct the local Council what to do. What I can do is make representations on your behalf, and make sure these are taken into account.

I can't become involved in personal disputes between you and someone else.

For some problems it is best that I refer you to someone else who can give you specialist advice, and in such cases I can usually suggest the place to go for specialist help.

I hold four advice surgeries for constituents every month (See below for details).

The House of Commons Library publishes fact sheets about the work of Parliament. Fact sheet M1 deals specifically with the work and role of an MP, especially in relation to constituents. It explains what MPs can and cannot do to help their constituents.  It is called You and Your MP  

If you have a problem to do with the local Council then you should try contacting your local Councillor. If you don't know who this is ring the Town Hall on 020 8496 3000 or ask in your local Library. 

On issues to do with the Greater London Assembly you should contact the GLA member for Walthamstow, Jennette Arnold. You can write to her at GLA, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA. You can phone the GLA on 020 7983 4000

On issues to do with the European Parliament you can contact Claude Moraes MEP  who is a London Labour MEP.

Advice Surgeries

Every month I hold four surgeries. Two are held on FRIDAY evenings, starting at 6.30 pm, at the Town Hall, which is situated in Forest Road, Walthamstow and two are held on MONDAY mornings, starting at 10.00 am, at the Central Library, which is in the High Street, Walthamstow.

ALL my surgeries are organised on an appointment system to keep waiting times to a minimum.

Phone my office on 020 7219 6368 and speak to Anne Humbles, Helen Berresford, or Clare Bull to arrange an appointment. Please give them as much information as you can about why you need to see me when you ring to make the appointment for the surgery. Often they will be able to deal with the problem over the phone, and save you the time of having to come to a surgery.

I can NOT offer surgery appointments to anyone who does not live within the Walthamstow constituency, as there is a strict rule in Parliament that MPs must only deal with problems for their own constituents.