Sheffield MP opens up the Big Conversation to get constituents talking

Sheffield MP Paul Blomfield will once again begin his annual Big Conversation project next month in order to shape his work and priorities in parliament.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Mr Blomfield, the MP for Sheffield Central, will 40 events over a three-week period to allow his constituents to air their thoughts about issues which matter to them.

He said the aim was to compile constituents’ concerns in order to take them to parliament and shape his future work both in the city and in Westminster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The politician also added he wanted to see more people get involved in politics.

Sheffield Central MP Paul BlomfieldSheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield
Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield

Mr Blomfield said: “When Richard [Caborn] stood down in 2008 for the 2010 election, one of the things was how poor people’s view of politics was.

“It was in the middle of the expenses scandal and I just though there was a great issue so I wanted to build an interest in democratic politics.

“I was trying to reach out and find other ways of doing it and the Big Conversation was one them and it’s probably been the best one.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As part of the project, the Labour MP will hold meetings and events across his constituency, with some based on specific themes such as housing, climate change, small businesses and Brexit.

Paul Blomfield MP. Paul Blomfield MP.
Paul Blomfield MP.

He will also speak to students at Park Academy, UTC Sheffield City Centre, King Edwards’s School and Sheffield College.

Mr Blomfield said: “I don’t know of any other MP that does it but that’s not why I do it.

“It’s trying to reach out to constituents to understand how politics can work for them. It’s about getting them to come along and telling me what’s on their agenda and what they think my priorities should be.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Big Conversation was launched in 2012, which Mr Blomfield said was to ‘connect politics with the people’ and to get them involved in the work he is doing in parliament.

He said that some concerns are often quite niche, and sometimes only effect a certain individual so without the Big Conversation he would have otherwise been unaware of the issues.

The MP added: “Politics is so depressing in many ways at the minute but it’s one of the things that’s most rewarding.

“For example, I represent 130,000 people that includes school students and three events will be held at secondary schools in my constituency and they probably wouldn’t normally come along to a meeting but it’s a chance to speak to them.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Constituents will also receive the Big Conversation survey through their door, and can also take part online.

Once the survey is complete, Mr Blomfield will then produce a report of the findings, before later updating constituents results and action taken to address their concerns.

He said: “I think the Big Conversation and actually having meetings and speaking to people is hugely important, even in the digital age with social media and emails.

“I probably get around 200 to 300 emails a day but if I based my priorities purely on emails that I get I wouldn’t be acting for the majority of my constituents.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Blomfield will begin this year’s Big Conversation with an interview on BBC Radio Sheffield’s breakfast show on Friday, September 6.

His first meetings will be held over the weekend of September 14 and 15.

Leaflets will also be delivered to 40,000 homes in his constituency.

FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS/MEETINGS

Madina Masjid Open Day

Sunday, September 15

1pm until 3pm

Madina Masjid, Wolseley Road, S8 0ZU

Open Meeting

Sunday, September 15

5pm until 6:30pm

Crowded House, 215 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZB

Open Drop InMonday, September 16

11am until12pmManor Park Community Space, Manor Park Centre, S2 1WE

Open Meeting on Housing

Monday 16 September

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

7:30pm until 8:30pmCentral United Reformed Church – 60 Norfolk Street, S1 2JB

Café Drop InTuesday, September 17

2pm until 3pmAmici & Bici, 220 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL

Open Meeting on Climate ChangeTuesday, September 17

7:15pm until 8:45pm

Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, Sheffield S1 2EW

Open Meeting for Women

Wednesday, September 18

7pm until 8:30pm

Harland Café, 68 John Street, S2 4QU

Open Meeting on Brexit

Thursday, September 19

7:30pm until 9pm

St Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4QZOpen Meeting for Small BusinessFriday, September 20

8am until 9:30am

Open Meeting: Broken Politics & How To Fix ItFriday, September 27

6pm until 7:30pmSharrow Community Forum, Old Junior School, South View Road, S7 1LJ

Open Meeting in BroomhillSunday, September 29

6pm until 7:30pm

St Mark’s Church, Broomhill, Broomfield Road, S10 2SE

Open Meeting in WalkleyMonday, September 30

7:30pm until 9pmWalkley Library, South Road, S6 3TD

Open Meeting for CarersTuesday, October 1

10:30am until 11:30am

Open MeetingTuesday, October 1

6:30pm until 8pmThe Sanctuary, Chapel Walk, S1 2PD

Open Meeting on Safer NeighbourhoodsWednesday October, 2

7pm until 8:30pmBroomhall Centre, Broomspring Lane, S10 2FD

Drop In at Pop In Police StationThursday, October 3

9am until 11amLIDL, Alison Crescent, S2 1AS

Café Drop InThursday, October 3

12:30pm – 1:30pmZEST, 18 Upperthorpe, S6 3NA

Open Meeting on Mental HealthThursday, October 3

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4:30pm until 6pmSheffield MIND, The Wellbeing Centre, 110 Sharrow Lane, S11 8AL

Open Meeting in Nether EdgeThursday, October 3

7:30pm until 9pmNether Edge Bowling Club, Nether Edge Road, S7 1RU

Café Drop InFriday, October 4

Noon until 1pmPark Library Café, 243 Duke Street, S2 5QP

Pub Drop InFriday, October 4

5pm – 6:30pmThe Gardener’s Rest, 105 Neepsend Lane, S3 8AT