Who?
If you are a constituent of Basildon & Billericay, this means Richard Holden is your Member of Parliament, and as such can respond to your queries and raise concerns on your behalf to 'seek redress of grievance' or make an issue public.
If you are not a constituent then sadly Richard Holden is unable to assist you, even if he wanted to, due to strict Parliamentary Convention. You can check who your MP is at: www.writetothem.com
What?
There are many reasons as to why you may choose to contact your Member of Parliament. This may include but is not limited to:
- Issues/queries with benefits, pensions, etc, associated with the work of the Department for Work and Pensions.
- Immigration issues.
- Tax issues.
- NHS problems.
- Child maintenance.
- School issues.
- Issue with or opinion on National Government policy.
- Comments on Bills passing through Parliament, Mr Holden’s House of Common’s debates, or a
- Local campaign you find worthy.
How?
Mr Holden has an office in Parliament that deals with national policy issues, and a constituency office in Billericay which deals with local and personal issues constituents may have.
Keeping the issue private, Richard Holden might write to the relevant department or official, send a letter to the appropriate Minister or make a personal appointment to discuss the issue. These steps can often go a long way to providing a solution.
He may decide to make the issue public by raising it in the House of Commons, where it will be officially recorded, and could potentially come to the attention of the press and public.
Outside Parliament, Richard Holden may speak at an event concerning the issue, pledge his support to a campaign or write to the local media.
When?
For policy matters, Richard Holden aims to write back to you within 2 weeks. Some matters take longer if, for example, we are awaiting replies from Government departments or external bodies, etc.
For personal matters, we aim to reply to you initially by email within 3 working days. Please be aware that urgent personal matters are prioritised to a same or next day initial response. Richard Holden will then write to you with his final response after relevant enquiries have been made. How long it takes depends on how long third parities, such as Basildon Council or Essex County Council, take to write back to us.
Surgeries?
Sometimes, it might be appropriate to hold a surgery meeting with Richard Holden about your personal matter. If your query is about policy, he will usually reply in writing. Richard Holden's office will always try to assist you before offering a surgery appointment as this will often delay matters. Requests are prioritised and facilitated at his local office in Billericay or at a public site such as Basildon Library.
What can your MP not do?
Your MP cannot:
- Give legal advice.
- Intervene in private or civil matters.
- Direct authorities to change a decision.
- Advise on financial matters.
- Breach the 'separation of powers' between the Courts and Parliament.
- Express disloyalty to His Majesty The King, his heirs or successors.
Contact
All correspondence, if electronic, should be sent to [email protected].
You can also write to The Rt Hon Richard Holden MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA (for matters of policy) or to The Rt Hon Richard Holden MP, 16 Western Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9DZ (for personal matters).
