What are the two main responsibilities of a Member of Parliament (MP)?

Okay, so when we talk about what a Member of Parliament actually *does*, it boils down to two key things. First, an MP is there to represent *everyone* in their constituency, not just the people who voted for them. Think of it like this: once elected, they're the voice for the entire geographic area, regardless of political affiliation. They need to listen to concerns, raise issues in Parliament, and generally advocate for the needs of all their constituents. The second big part of their job is scrutinising the government. This is a crucial part of a healthy democracy. MPs need to examine proposed laws, question government policies, and hold ministers accountable. It's not about blindly supporting everything the government does; it's about carefully considering the impact of decisions and offering constructive criticism. This ensures that the government is acting in the best interests of the country. So, an MP is both a local representative and a national watchdog.