What Do We Do? 

My role as an MP is to represent everyone in Bolton West; not just those who voted for me. Whether or not you voted for me or agree with the views of my party, I am your MP and I am still here to help you with all matters for which Parliament or central government is responsible.

Who Do We Represent?

Bolton West Constituency consists of:

•  Heaton and Lostock
•  Horwich and Blackrod
•  Horwich North East
•  part of Hulton
•  Smithills
•  part of Rumworth
•  Westhoughton North and Chew Moor
•  Westhoughton South
• (from the next general election) Atherton

How Can We Help You?

MPs are there to help only with those matters for which Parliament or central government is responsible. Problems often arise with work carried out by central government departments and I will be able to help you with such areas as the National Health Service, benefits, pensions and tax and schools.  I encourage you to contact my constituency office in Westhoughton to find out whether I can help.

What Do We Do To Help You?

There are several ways in which I can resolve your problems. A letter from me to the relevant department or official will often provide a solution. If not, I may decide to take matters a stage further by writing to the Minister involved, or even making an appointment to see the Minister personally. Many constituents’ problems can be solved in this way but not all problems, of course, have an easy solution. The Minister may not be able to give the answer that you wanted to hear but if the decision has been made in the right way, there may be little that can be done.

If, on the other hand, there has been unnecessary delay, or if some essential procedure has been missed out, i.e. if there has been maladministration, I may be able to take your case to the Ombudsman (Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration).I am able to resolve such cases where there has been administrative incompetence. The Ombudsman can only be approached via an MP - you cannot approach him directly.

I cannot help you in private disputes with other individuals or with companies who have sold you faulty goods, nor, for example, to interfere with decisions made by courts - contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Trading Standards. 

What is the difference between a councillor and an MP? 

My job as your MP is to represent the people of Bolton West in the national Parliament in London. I am here to help you with all matters for which Parliament or central government is responsible. There are 659 MPs in the United Kingdom. A councillor is elected by local people to represent a ward on the local Council. There are 21,000 councillors in England and Wales.

Your councillor makes decisions affecting the ward and the wider council area and acts as a focus and leader for the local community. They tend to deal with issues relating to council housing, planning, rubbish collection, the local environment, and the administration of elections. Find out who your councillor is here 

How can you help?

We want your ideas and we want to work together. My office and I see our role as helping people to get on with improving their community.    

 Visiting Parliament

Ruth always enjoys meeting constituents who are visiting the Houses of Parliament.   People don't always realise that they are able to see Parliament up close.  Below are some details of how you can arrange a visit.

Your group could be as small as one or even as large as sixty.

Through Ruth's office, you can have a tour around the Palace of Westminster, tickets to sit in the Commons and Lords Chambers to watch live debates (whilst the House is sitting) and photographs outside Downing Street. You can also meet Ruth for a question and answer session.

Just get in touch (details on the Contact Me page) with Ruth's office if you would like to visit Parliament.

The information required is as follows:

• The names and number of children in the group
• The names and number of all adults attending
• The date you are thinking of visiting
• The time from which you are available to begin the visit

Due to Parliamentary protocol, Ruth is unable to arrange visits for constituents of other MPs.

Specially tailored visits can also be arranged by the Parliamentary Education Unit; you can contact them by writing to:

The Parliamentary Education Unit,
Norman Shaw Building (North),
London, SW1A 2T

Alternatively you can telephone them on 020 7219 2105 or e-mail them at EdUnit@parliament.uk.

Visits to Parliament

Parliament Explained Visits

This programme will run from October 2006 to explain Parliament's work to students in Yrs 11-13.

Upon arrival groups are given a welcome and an introduction before being shown an audio/visual presentation in a committee room. This is followed by a brief talk and the opportunity to ask questions before either undertaking a tour or attending a debate in one of the two Chambers. This visit can accommodate a maximum of 32 students.

Discover Parliament Visits Programme

This programme of visits is aimed at students in Yrs 8-10 (age 12-15) students with the intention of giving them an introduction to the Palace of Westminster and the workings of Parliament in the form of a tour of the Royal Apartments, Hourse of Lords, House of Commons, St Stephen's Hall and Westminster Hall, and the opportunity to listen to a debate in the house of Commons and/or the House of Lords. The visits take place on every term-time Monday and Wednesday, when the House is sitting, from novermber to July. There is a set programme for the morning with an option to bring a packed lunch and extend the visit to the afternoon. This visit can accommodate a maximum of 32 students.

Citizenship For the 21st Century

This is a programme for students in Yrs 3-9 supporting topics covered in the Political Literacy strand of the National Curriculum for Citizenship (KS 2 and 3 in England and Wales). A Teacher's Guide is available which includes information sheets, activities and notes for the class teacher.

Half day and full day visits are available during term time. A typical visit will include a presentation, related participatory activities, a question and answer session and an opportunity to see part of the Houses of parliament. This visit can accommodate a maximum of 32 students.

Special Schools

A varied programme is available for students (across the age range) with special needs that may include visiting parts of the Palace of Westminster. Further details are available on request.

Student (Mock) Parliaments

The Education Unit organises these for students in Yrs 7-13 on ten Fridays each year. They take the form of an organised debate for 64 students. Folowing a brief introduction on arrival, the students are given the opportunity to discuss the Motion and debating techniques with a Member of Parliament prior to the debate commencing. The debate lasts for about one hour, closing with a Division. The visit lasts for about 3 hours. Advance preparation is essential. Further details are available on request.

Teacher Seminar Days

Designed to give either teachers of Government and Politics the opportunity to keep up to date with the changes taking place in Parliament and to increase their own knowledge, or to enable non-specialist teachers of General Studies/Citizenship and PGCE citizenship student groups to learn about Parliament and Government, anumber of seminar days are organised each academic year. Further details are available on request.