Since devolution the work of Scottish Westminster MP’s has changed. Health, Education, Law and Order, and Local Government are now dealt with by the Scottish Parliament. If you live in Greenock, Gourock Inverkip or Wemyss Bay and need help on these issues then my colleague Duncan McNeil MSP will be happy to assist. Constituents who live in Port Glasgow Kilmacolm or Quarrier’s Village should contact my other colleague Trish Godman who is the MSP for West Renfrewshire. The UK Parliament still has responsibility for Foreign Affairs and International Development, Defence, Social Security, Immigration and the Economy.

My typical week as MP for Inverclyde is split between London and the Constituency. Usually, first thing Monday morning, I will leave my flat in the centre of Greenock for Glasgow airport and catch one of their hourly flights to Heathrow. Once in London I go straight to Parliament where I begin dealing with correspondence and emails from my constituents. My daily postbag will contain requests for help on a range of matters from constituents. This will often involve me meeting relevant government ministers or contacting organisations on their behalf.

Apart from having to vote on legislation, part of my time is spent in Parliamentary committees. I often sit on committees for Bills which will have a significant affect in Scotland and I am currently a member of the Select Committee for the Department of Culture Media and Sport. I also chair the All Party HIV/AIDS Group and the All Party Scottish Broadcasting Group.

I see one of the most important parts of my job as the MP for Inverclyde being to improve the economic prospects for people in the area. I take a keen interest in the employers in the constituency and work hard to attract new investment. Regeneration is a particular interest of mine and I am keen to ensure that everyone in Inverclyde can benefit from the regeneration of our Waterfront.

I return to the constituency on a Thursday night to prepare for the following day, when I will usually hold a surgery, so that local people can come to see me with any problems or issues they would like me to help them with. As local MP, I get many invites to attend events within the constituency and at the weekend I try to attend as many of these as possible and to meet as many constituents as I can, so that I am always up-to-date with what is important to people in Inverclyde.

Early Monday morning, I will be catching a flight down to London and the week will start over again.