A local MP notched up his 500th constituency advice surgery, at the weekend. Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, held his first face-to-face constituency advice surgery shortly after he was first elected, back in 2001.
He has continued holding around two surgeries a month, on Saturday mornings, ever since (except during the Covid pandemic, when they had to be conducted by telephone) and he has just completed his 500th session.
Speaking about the “500th anniversary”, Mark said:
“When I held my first ever advice surgery, back in 2001, I wrote ‘surgery no.1’ at the top of my notepaper - and I’ve basically continued ever since. For all the modern technology now at our disposal, sometimes constituents still want to discuss their problems in person and in confidence - a bit like going to see their GP and that is why I have continued with this service, ever since. I am grateful to my constituents for recently re-electing me, so that I can continue serving them, in this very personal way.”
Any constituent wishing to book a surgery appointment with Mark is encouraged to call his constituency office, on 01268 742044, in order to make an appointment.
