Mike measures his success as Batley and Spen MP through his ability
to help constituents. The way he has developed his role as a constituency
focused MP has attracted wide praise – from colleagues in Parliament,
including the Prime Minister, to those locally whom he has helped directly.
This is done predominantly through work for individuals or groups. There
are of course many wider campaigns and issues with which Mike has been
involved and which have improved or safeguarded people’s quality
of life. Included among them are:
- Organising the national petition which led to legislation for
restricting the sale and use of fireworks.
- The successful campaign to stop what would have been Britain’s
largest ever opencast mine between Hanging Heaton and Soothill.
- Changes to the working practices and rules of the Benefits Agency
following the death of a constituent from Batley.
- The protection of the former Spen rail line and the subsequent
development of the Spen Valley Greenway – a leisure and transport route
for walking, cycling and riding horses.
- The campaign to save Woodlands Primary School in Oakenshaw
from closure, in which Mike’s office played a key role.
- Protecting trade and vitality in the centre of Cleckheaton
by leading the campaign to stop development of an out of
town supermarket
site.
- The development of a support network for those who run
local Post Office branches.
- Key involvement in local and national campaigns to ban
fox hunting.
- Rejuvenation of the Gomersal pensioner’s annual tea and trip.
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