- SURGERIES
- MP’s hold regular surgeries, in which constituents can discuss problems, this ensures they represent their constituent’s best interests.
- The ‘Audit of Political Engagement’ (2007) showed that- 41% of people were satisfied with their local MP and 12% dissatisfied. When asked about MP’s in general, 30% were satisfied and 37% dissatisfied.
- DESCRIPTIVE
- 2019: 220 female MPs (34% vs 51% UK), 65 BAME MPs (10% vs 14% UK), 45 LGBT MPs, 27% went to independent schools (vs 6.5% UK), 21% went Oxbridge.
- ELECTIONS
- MPs also represent constituents’ views because if they don’t, they will not win the next election.
- Websites such as Theyworkforyou.com reveal how MPs vote and the issues on which they speak in the HofC.
- This level of scrutiny ensures MPs who do not represent their constituencies are likely to lose their seat in the HOC. This serves as a powerful sanction to ensure MPs do not act too independently in accordance with Burke’s trustee model.