Dagenham And Rainham MP Reviews Her First Year And Continues Her Pledge To Support Her Residents.

‘As an MP you can’t solve all the problems that people experience in their lives, but what I will always unfailingly do is try everything in my power to get help for people and their families.’

Margaret Mullane MP writes her monthly column for the Havering Daily.

Just over a year ago was the proudest moment of my life when I was elected to serve as the MP for Dagenham and Rainham, the constituency I was brought up and went to school in and where I have worked my whole working life.

It has certainly been a tumultuous year. From day one I have focused on my work in the constituency, doing all I can to support the life chances of local people.

Since July 2024 I have received well over 6,000 requests for help on a whole range of issues from residents. As an MP you can’t solve all the problems that people experience in their lives, but what I will always unfailingly do is try everything in my power to get help for people and their families.

As well as individual issues, I have a clear focus on my local priorities for Rainham, Beam Park, Elm Park and South Hornchurch and will work tirelessly to achieve success on these. That means a sustainable solution to stopping the Launders Lane fires that have burned for far too long, having the promised station delivered at Beam Park, securing significant improvements at Queen’s hospital and local GP services and cracking down on street crime and shoplifting.

Much of my work in Parliament has revolved around my membership of the Home Affairs Select Committee and involvement in All Party Parliamentary Groups focused on improving housing conditions and tackling the desperate need for a major increase in truly affordable new council homes for local people. I see this work as being of vital importance for Dagenham and Rainham. For example, at the Home Affairs Select Committee I continue to raise the problems that we face locally when our police officers are required to be redeployed away from our area to help out elsewhere. This is described as ‘abstractions’.

This year has also been notable in Parliament for ongoing debates on the most profound matters of conscience, the Assisted Dying Bill and on abortion. Because these are matters of conscience, MPs of all parties were allowed a free vote. I have strong beliefs and values, I listened very carefully to the reasoned arguments put forward on all sides. I had to follow my conscience on these questions which meant that I voted against the Assisted Dying Bill and could not support the calls to extend the current law on abortion.

I realise there will be many who may not agree with my views, but they are honestly and deep held views that I hope people will respect, just as I will always respect others who take an honestly held different viewpoint to mine.  

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