Member of Parliament

(MP)

   In the House of Commons, 646 MPs each represent a single-member constituency, having been elected by the first past the post electoral system. Almost all MPs are elected for a political party, the vast majority of them Labour or Conservative. The number of members belonging to other parties has grown in recent years.

   MPs have responsibilities to the nation, party, constituency and to their own conscience. They divide their work between the House of Commons and their constituency. Typically, they spend the early/middle part of the week in London and return later in the week to see their constituents.

   MPs do not represent a microcosm of the electorate. Overwhelmingly, they have long been white, male, middle class and middle-aged, although following the 2005 election the female contingent (127) at Westminster is now higher than ever before as is the number of ethnic minority MPs (15).

   Today, many MPs are career politicians. Increased professionalism has been accompanied by improved pay and resources. Opponents of the trend to careerism point to the narrowing of members’ experience and consequent lack of expertise.

   See also: women in political office