Broxtowe MP 'missing in action' after making three Commons speeches since election
Broxtowe's MP has been described as "missing in action" after it was revealed that she has spoken just three times in the House of Commons since being elected. Juliet Campbell insists her priority will always be serving constituents and has slammed the criticism as "personal attacks".
Ms Campbell became the Labour MP for Broxtowe in the July 2024 general election and parliamentary records show that since then, she has made just three contributions in the House of Commons. This was first reported in The Telegraph, which names Broxtowe's MP as the least vocal of all MPs since the general election.
Records show that Ms Campbell's three contributions have included her maiden speech, a comment on flooding and a speech during a discussion of the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill. The MP has also taken part in detailed discussions on two bills, but these were not in the main House of Commons chamber or in Westminster Hall.
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The MP has been criticised over the number of contributions by the Broxtowe Independents, the group of 18 Broxtowe councillors that recently quit Labour. That group of councillors has a history with Juliet Campbell, with many having criticised the process that saw her elected as Labour's candidate in Broxtowe when they were still in the party.
The entire selection committee and executive committee within Broxtowe's constituency Labour Party resigned in 2023 following Labour's decision to "block" Greg Marshall from standing as Labour's candidate. Councillor Marshall, now the deputy leader of Broxtowe Borough Council and of the independents, had stood as Labour's candidate in two general elections but was not allowed to do so in 2024.
Councillor Teresa Cullen, the chief whip of the Broxtowe Independents, said: "I don't think many people in Broxtowe would be surprised to hear our MP is missing in action. From the time she was foisted upon us in a shameful and sham Westminster selection process we have seen very little of her here in Broxtowe.
"She doesn't answer emails or return calls and shows her lack of knowledge of her constituency at every opportunity. People here need to be properly represented and have their voices heard, which our councillors do day in day out."
The Broxtowe Labour MP was born and raised in Bilborough and at the time of her selection as Labour's candidate, she remained a cabinet member at Lewisham Council in London, though she later stood down from that role. The MP said in a statement: "My priority as an MP will always be serving my constituents.
"It is a privilege to represent the people of Broxtowe in my home county. Meanwhile, just 18 months ago the Broxtowe Independents were voted in on a Labour ticket and are now so focused on personal gripes and political chaos they are neglecting their residents.
"Perhaps they should spend more time on clarifying the leadership situation at the council and getting on with the important work they should be doing, rather than making personal attacks on an MP they selected."
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.
"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."