Broxtowe’s Labour MP has defended her work after facing questions about her ‘visibility’ in the constituency and in Parliament.
Juliet Campbell became one of the party’s new wave of MPs at the July 2024 General Election, unseating Conservative Darren Henry.
The former senior NHS manager won with a majority of more than 8,000 votes, saying she wanted to help improve local public services.
But Ms Campbell has faced questions on her level of activity in Parliament and locally in recent weeks.
It came after records showed she’d made comparatively few contributions in the House since being elected.
This week, Ms Campbell said her service to constituents “comes in many forms”, outside and inside Parliament, and she has a local casework load “in the thousands”.
Supporters also insisted she is working regularly in the borough.
A Daily Telegraph article published on February 1 listed the appearances in Parliament of newly-elected MPs.
It reported hers at the time of publication as only three spoken contributions in Parliament, and no written questions – which, at the time, was fewer overall than the majority of Labour’s newly-elected Members of Parliament.
It led to criticism from rebel local councillors at Broxtowe Borough Council.
On January 2, 18 Labour members of the authority defected from Labour to sit as independents, saying they were unhappy with direction under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The rebel group includes Cllr Greg Marshall, who was replaced by Ms Campbell as the Labour parliamentary candidate before the July election.
Responding soon after the Telegraph article Cllr Teresa Cullen, the new group’s chief whip, said the MP “doesn’t answer emails or return calls” and said “she is never in Broxtowe”.
According to the most recent Hansard data – an official recording – as of February 13, the Labour MP has now made 27 spoken contributions.
According to Parliament figures, she has now submitted 13 written questions.
New MPs cannot actually speak in a debate in Parliament until they have made their maiden speech – an introductory moment for new members.
However, newly-elected MPs can still fulfil a range of other duties, such as submitting and asking questions verbally, by submitting written questions, early day motions, presenting petitions and more.
Juliet Campbell made her maiden speech on November 5, 2024, according to parliamentary data, meaning she would not have been able to speak in a debate until after this date.
By comparison, fellow new Nottinghamshire Labour MPs Jo White, for Bassetlaw, and James Naish, for Rushcliffe, made their Maiden Speeches on July 23 and October 9, respectively.
Responding to the increased number of contributions, the Independent Group said: “We are pleased to see our MP has now improved her record over the past two weeks.
“It is a shame that it has come about because of us shining a light on her absence, both in parliament and the constituency.”
One Broxtowe resident who works for a community centre in the borough, who asked not to be named, said: “I have spoken to her personally, she’s lovely, she seems to have very good intentions.
“[But] I’m very aware she’s not rectifying visibility issues from the previous MP [Darren Henry (Con)]- it doesn’t seem to have progressed.
“Her office is around the corner [from me] – there doesn’t seem to be anybody there.”
Another resident involved with a community centre in the borough said she “couldn’t even tell you what they [her MP] look like”.
She added: “If they’re not prominent in the news or doing something, you don’t hear about them- I hear more of the mayor or the councillors.”
New Leader of the Labour group at Broxtowe Borough Council, Councillor Peter Bales, says Ms Campbell is “out most weekends” in the constituency.
He said: “Since I’ve become leader, I’ve been in regular contact with her- I was with her last Friday night in Beeston.
“She is out most weekends, she [has been] in Eastwood doing NHS drop-in sessions to discuss healthcare, so she is out and about.
“She hasn’t had the support from the previous Labour administration [at the council] before they left, but we are now in contact regularly discussing the needs of the constituency.”
Leader of the Borough Council and leader of the new Independent group at the council, Milan Radulovic, who was also among the 18 who left Labour, said he has a monthly meeting with the MP.
Cllr Radulovic said: “I update her on everything, we took her through the financial settlement, the local government review, the Stapleford Town Deal, Eastwood [plans], giving her the figures to take to parliament to fight for Broxtowe in parliament.
“I keep her well-informed, she has background notes, briefing notes.
“I do not involve myself in personal politics, I don’t make personal comments against people – what I do is give her as much help and support as I can to raise issues for the Broxtowe people.”
Ms Campbell said: “It is a privilege to represent the people of Broxtowe and my first priority will always be serving them.
“That service comes in many forms both in and outside of parliament, including holding regular surgeries across the constituency, helping residents with casework (responses now numbering in the thousands), visiting local businesses, or supporting local community groups and charities – all of which are an honour.
“I urge all constituents to please get in touch if they have an issue they would like to raise.
“My constituents can email me on Juliet.Campbell.MP@parliament.uk and view my other contact details and social media at https://julietcampbell.uk/.”
A Labour Party spokesperson added: “While speaking in the chamber is an important and visible part of any MP’s role, there is a lot more work that goes on behind the scenes.
“That includes casework in their constituencies, holding surgeries, sitting in committees, raising local issues with ministers, and supporting local businesses.
“And of course, there are plenty of times when MPs attempt to speak in the chamber and are not called.
“There are multiple strands to being an MP and every one is a privilege.”
