What do MP's actually do?

It's a fair question. A lot of people think that MP's spend their time sitting around on the green benches cheering or snoozing as they see fit. The reality is very different.

From Monday to Thursday my time is spent in Westminster working on behalf of constituents, carrying out my role as assistant to the Schools Minister and taking part in vital votes that help shape the laws of this country. On Friday and over the weekend you can usually find me working from my Dewsbury office on Daisy Hill or out and about meeting local people. That's the best bit of the job.

Much of my time is taken up with casework, helping local people with any issues or problems they may have.

So what sort of issues do you help people with?

There are a wide range of issues that I've dealt with and no two days are the same. Since elected in May 2005 I've dealt with casework on behalf of more than 1000 constituents and that has resulted in an approximate saving of more than £80,000 to those people.

Cases range from housing issues, healthcare or employment problems to helping people who may have disputes with the council or government agencies. I'm here to help, and that's exactly what I've been doing.

Do you actually live in Dewsbury?

Of course. Even before I was elected as an MP I had already moved into a house in the town and very quickly felt very much at home. I'm aware that some MP's don't live in their own constituencies, at the end of the day that's their decision, but I'd find it very difficult living anywhere else.

What have you actually voted for in Parliament?

The vast majority of issues that I vote on in the House of Commons will escape the interest of the media and the public, in my first twelve months as an MP I took part in almost 200 votes.

It's the bigger issues that most people get to hear about on TV or read about in the newspapers. Earlier this year I voted for a complete ban on smoking in public places. I did so because I felt it was essential to protect the health of working people and I'm delighted it will become law next year. I also voted in favour of the Animal Welfare Bill which, among other things, will ban the docking (amputation) of dogs tails.

Where can I find ourt more about what happens in the House of Commons

One of the best ways is log onto the parliament website which hosts plenty of information about how parliament works and what parliament does. www.parliament.uk