Your Questions Answered
What Can David Ruffley Do To Help?
As well as constructively questioning legislation and Government policy (especially as it affects Suffolk) I deal with a huge mailbag of constituency issues.(It is a rule of Parliament that MPs can deal only with their own individual constituents not another MP's constituents). Every one of my constituents gets the same access to me no matter what their political persuasion. I am keen to hear your views and to help you with any problems you may have. I will act as your advocate in Parliament and outside. However, I am not able, unfortunately, to offer legal advice in a specific case.
I make sure that constituency matters are raised regularly in the House of Commons. But there is sometimes a limit to what any MP can achieve. For your grievance to be redressed, a change in the law may be required. This is not something that an individual MP can guarantee to deliver because it will normally involve a new Act of Parliament and a majority of MPs or the public may oppose such a change. However, many people may share your views across the country, so pressure from a group of MPs may bring about a change of policy by the Government of the day in the end, even if it is not done immediately.
I think the public get sick and tired of politicians promising the earth when they can't deliver. So my policy is to be clear and upfront at the start with constituents and tell them what can and cannot be done immediately to help them.