From another Thread. Tessa Jowell's Answer. 1) Should MPs live in the constituency they represent? Since this appears to be aimed at me I will tackle it head on and at some length. I have had to make a judgement that balances family commitments against the demands of being an engaged and effective constituency MP. I, and my constituency team, deal with over 5000 cases from local people every year. I have weekly advice sessions, mobile surgeries and coffee mornings where people can come and raise any issue they like. I?m always out and about locally. There is never, ever, anything of note that happens in my constituency that I do not quickly know about. How?s your knowledge on the plans for a new combined health and leisure centre in West Norwood for example? What about the new schools that we have delivered in Lambeth - Evelyn Grace and the Elmgreen? What did you think about the recent listing application for the historic Brixton Markets? What's your take on the problem of primary school places in Norwood? (no, not East Dulwich - that?s conveniently been put off by the Lib Dems until after the election remember - whilst the Lambeth offers go out next week). My constituency is incredibly diverse and comprises many communities, each with a distinct and proud identity: East Dulwich, Dulwich, West Dulwich, Gipsy Hill, Crystal Palace, West Norwood, Upper Norwood, Herne Hill, Camberwell and Brixton. I really do understand what makes it tick and I love it - stretching as it does from what used to be the Old White Horse on Brixton Road in a sweep across to Sydenham Hill and over as far as Streatham Common. I acknowledge that where I live has been used as a stick to beat me with by my political opponents - that?s up to them. But not one of the tens of thousands of constituents I have helped in 18 years as the local representative have said ?Thanks Tessa but I would have appreciated it more if you lived here.? A few years ago we sold our family home and I assumed that I would move to the constituency. But I now have my children and step-children living nearby with four lovely grand-daughters that I already see far too little of. The anguish that my family felt at the prospect of my moving away from them at what was already a difficult time was something I simply could not ignore. The families of MPs often pay a heavy price and the judgement I made was that I had to put my family first in this decision. That is the choice I have made. Every week, every day, every hour, I am working and my constituency team is working to get action and investment for East Dulwich and the rest of my constituency. I believe that every day we make something better for someone I represent.