31ST AUGUST 2010: TINA Wingfield was invited, as Nick Griffin’s Constituency Manager, to talk about the work of the MEP to a meeting of Allerdale & Copeland British National Party last week. 

"In his role as an MEP, Nick spends as much time as possible in the North West region, but he also has a responsibility to be in Brussels and Strasbourg for the majority of his time," she told the meeting.

"There are hundreds of votes on a huge range of subjects taking place in the European Parliament and it is essential that he and his team have a full understanding of the matters in hand and that he plays a positive role in influencing European Parliament actions and policies, to the benefit of the British people.

"While Nick is opposed to the ever increasing powers of the EU which allows it to interfere with what he considers should rightly be the affairs of national government, he is honour bound to ensure that he represents the best interests of his North West constituents and gains the optimum outcome for them in relation to EU activity.

"Operating in parallel to his work in Brussels and Strasbourg, is the Constituency office in the North West. This provides the link between the MEP and his constituents and there is a continuous channel of communication ensuring that he is kept fully briefed about his constituents’ concerns.

"In addition to offering his constituents help and assistance with a number of varying personal and social issues, Nick is able to play a role in shaping European Parliament proposals which may fundamentally affect the their lifestyles, employment and business interests."

During a lively question and answer session, concerns were raised about the prospect of new mosques being established in various Cumbrian towns. People wanted to know how to find out about new planning proposals and the procedures for lodging an objection.

Tina (right) said that council planning offices have been very helpful to the Constituency office in providing this information and offering advice to concerned residents.

She gave the example of a Madrassa case in Oldham, whereby the planning office had been very helpful in response to a resident's objection to a 'change of use' planning issue and had acted positively on his concerns. Another case cited was a proposed flats development in Maryport, where the local office gave detailed advice on how to oppose the planning application in question. The first step therefore, for anyone with concerns about a planned development in their area, is to contact the local planning office.

Various other problems were raised, but many of these related to community issues that are best dealt with at a very local level.

"Intervention at MP and MEP level is not really appropriate because outcomes are decided locally by parish, town and county councillors. That is why it is important to gain representation on local councils," Tina told the audience.

"The first rung on the community ladder is the parish council, where in addition to gaining some influence in terms of shaping local affairs, you can build a reputation as an active community member and an achiever. The parish councillor also benefits from a range of training and learning opportunities which provide the foundations for councillor casework," she said.