MID Derbyshire MP Pauline Lathamresponds to a recent Derby Telegraph article by the Bishop of Derby:
I RECENTLY read an article in the Telegraph (December 27) concerning the Bishop of Derby's new book, which is due for release in the coming weeks.
Over the years, I have been supportive of the many useful initiatives he has led, like his campaign to get Derby to sign up to the UN Charter on Human Trafficking.
On a side note, it would be nice if more local initiatives included MPs, who are well placed to offer the practical support campaigns of this nature require.
However, I am concerned that the comments that the Bishop made in the article unfairly represent the nature of both local and national politics.
It goes without saying that there are occasional examples of MPs flouting the rules, but the vast majority do work really hard to represent their constituencies.
Times have been hard over the last few years, owing to the catastrophic state in which the previous Labour Government left the country's finances, and it is not surprising that the public are anxious for change.
The best way to institute this, however, is not to be apathetic and refuse to vote, as the power to exercise this democratic right is denied to many people around the world.
In some countries, the local population queue for hours, having walked miles, to have the privilege of exercising their democratic right to vote.
Instead, here people should vote for the party that best represents the change that they believe is needed.
Another issue that the Bishop addresses is the use of food banks.
It is a sad state of affairs that some people have to rely on them to feed their families. However, this is a situation that is prevalent across many countries in the developed world.
I visited the Basic Idea food bank run by Hope for Belper some time ago, and it was clear that the volunteers there were doing a fantastic job.
I am proud that members of the local community in my constituency are so community-conscious and use their time to help others. That, to my mind, is Christianity in action.
In his article, the Bishop rightly identifies UKIP as a false friend in bringing about a reform of the system.
I believe, as do many others in the Conservative Party, that Britain's treatment at the hands of the EU has been appalling and that more should be done to control immigration levels into this country.
This, for many members of the public, is what is appealing about UKIP's stance but, taking into account the rest of their manifesto, it is clear that they lack direction and forethought in their other policies.
They promise to reduce taxation for those earning over £42,285 per annum and abolish Inheritance Tax but, in the same breath, say they want to improve the country's finances.
Whilst I agree with the Bishop that more powers currently held by the Government could be devolved locally to increase public engagement with democracy, many local authorities lack the professional talent to be able to operate on such a level.
Councils require people with experience in business, who would be up to the challenge of running a large-scale operation while still balancing the books.
Often, however, being a councillor is intrusive and many business people do not want to subject themselves to that degree of public scrutiny.
Many say that these skilled professionals could be involved as quangos but I would argue that would take away from the democratic element of local government.
Quangos are not accountable for the decisions they make and I believe that their involvement in local decision-making should be reduced.
It is undeniable that, over the last few years, things have been difficult for many people, but that is precisely why it is crucial that people exercise their right to vote on both a local and national level.
They should feel more able to engage with their local representatives; whether they be an MP or a local councillor, to make them aware of the issues that matter in their area.
