Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois recently notched up his 350th constituency surgery, when constituents came to see him as usual at his constituency office in Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh.
Mark has been holding regular constituency surgeries twice a month since he was first elected to Parliament some 16 years ago. His advice surgery provides an opportunity for constituents to come and speak to him in confidence – just like going to the doctors – about problems they may be having where they think that he could help.
At his latest surgery, Mark dealt with a variety of issues including benefit claims, access to NHS treatment, immigration and planning matters.
Speaking about reaching this new milestone Mark said:
“When I first began doing my surgeries 16 years ago I wrote surgery number 1 at the right hand corner of my notes and I have simply carried on numbering them ever since. Over the course of these 350 surgeries, which I normally hold twice a monthly on Saturday mornings, I have met literally thousands of constituents. I can’t say that I have been able to help every one of them with their problems but I have done my best and the surgeries continue to be full up so hopefully people think it is worth coming along. I hope to continue serving my constituents like this for many years to come.”
Anyone who wishes to attend one of Mark’s advice surgeries is encouraged to call the constituency office on 01268742044 to make an appointment.