Jim Dowd fails his constituents when he misses key meetings

6.15.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 9th Apr 2009

Alex Feakes

Lewisham West & Penge parliamentary spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Alex Feakes, has slammed local Labour MP Jim Dowd for failing to do his job properly after figures released by the House of Commons showed that the MP turned up to fewer than half the meetings of the key Health Select Committee.

"Health is meant to be his particular interest," comments Alex, "yet he's only going to half the Select Committee sessions. We can only conclude that he's not taking seriously his role of scrutinising the government's work and new laws on healthcare."

"This committee has important work to do, and his constituents shouldn't have to put up with their representative only doing half a job. Perfect attendance isn't expected; taking it seriously and turning up for the great majority of meetings is."

Related Link:

MPs missing key meetings (Times).