Left - Steve discusses local issues with Prime minister Gordon Brown.

Who Do We Represent?

South Thanet Constituency is currently made up of the following towns and villages:

Ash, Broadstairs, Cliffsend, East Stourmouth, Elmstone, Manston, Minster, Pegwell, Preston, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Sholden, Staple, Wingham, Woodnesborough and Worth.

At the next election Cliftonville (that is both Cliftonville East and Cliftonville West) will become part of South Thanet (at present it is represented by the MP for North Thanet). So, if you live in Cliftonville, I am keen to hear your views although if you have a particular problem we may need to refer you to your own MP for the time being.

Minster and Sholden will leave the South Thanet constituency at the next election. Sholden will join Dover and Minster and Manston will join North Thanet. In the meantime I remain keen to hear your views and to represent you with any problems you may have.

How Can We Help You?

MPs are there to help only with those matters for which Parliament or central government is responsible. Problems sometimes arise with the work carried out by central government departments and I may be able to help you with those problems. For example, I can often help you in areas such as the National Health Service, benefits, pensions, tax and schools.  

Left - Steve  visiting MacDonalds at Westwood in support of their charity work. 

 What Do We Do To Help You?

Where your problem does involve central government, I have a number of methods available to try to resolve the matter. A letter from me to the relevant department or official will often provide a solution. If not, I may decide to take matters a stage further by writing to the Minister involved, or even making an appointment to see the Minister personally. Many constituents’ problems can be solved in this way but not all problems, of course, have an easy solution. The Minister may not be able to give the answer that you wanted to hear but if the decision has been made in the right way, there may be little that can be done.

If, on the other hand, there has been unnecessary delay, or if some essential procedure has been missed out, i.e. if there has been maladministration, I may be able to take your case to the Ombudsman (Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration). I am able to resolve such cases where there has been administrative incompetence. The Ombudsman can only be approached via an MP - you cannot approach him directly.

I cannot help you in private disputes with other individuals or with companies who have sold you faulty goods, nor, for example, to interfere with decisions made by courts - contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Trading Standards. 

What is the difference between a councillor and an MP? 

My job as your MP is to represent the people of South Thanet in the national Parliament in London. I am here to help you with all matters for which Parliament or central government is responsible. There are 659 MPs in the United Kingdom. A councillor is elected by local people to represent a ward on the local Council. There are 21,000 councillors in England and Wales.

Your councillor makes decisions affecting the ward and the wider council area and acts as a focus and leader for the local community. They tend to deal with issues relating to council housing, planning, rubbish collection, the local environment, and the administration of elections. Find out who your councillor is here 

How can you help? We want your ideas and we want to work together. My office and I see our role as helping people to get on with improving their community.