Your say / Politics
‘I know from my inbox that Bristolians are desperate to see more climate action’
It’s been an incredible journey representing Bristol Central in my first year as an MP.
When I was elected, I promised to hold this Labour government to account, to pull them in the right direction, and to stand up for the things that matter to my constituents.
In the past year, that’s what I’ve done – from opposing the government’s cruel cuts to support for disabled people, to trying to secure rent controls to tackle the affordability crisis facing renters in Bristol and across the country.
I know from my inbox that Bristolians are desperate to see more climate action, and last year I was one of the co-proposers of the landmark cross-party Climate and Nature Bill to tackle the climate crisis and restore our natural world – frustratingly blocked by government.
And earlier this year, I introduced an Energy Jobs Bill which would make sure that oil and gas workers get the training and support they need to move into future-proofed industries like renewable energy.
I also secured a debate on the Israeli government’s announcement that it will seek to annex more land in Gaza, an issue that I know so many people across Bristol are angry and distressed about.
And along with other Green MPs I wrote to the government to stand up against dangerous cuts to foreign aid spending.
Carla Denyer receiving her flowers – photo: Green Party
After hearing the devastating story of a mother fighting for justice following her daughter’s death in Bristol after she was repeatedly failed by public services, I introduced a Bill for a National Oversight Mechanism for state-related deaths.
I am looking forward to meeting with the minister soon to press them to create this new law.
Since becoming an MP I have heard countless stories from constituents about the cruelty and ineffectiveness of the Home Office and especially the immigration system.
So, in the last month I launched a report on how our communities would be better served if the Home Office was broken up and replaced with two new departments that would deal with migration and security separately.
And while as an opposition MP I’m not expecting to get a bill passed with my name on it any time soon, I’m pleased to be able to point to issues where I’ve successfully pushed the government to do better, alongside my colleagues.
From co-proposing the Sunshine Bill which led to the government making solar panels on all new homes mandatory, to successfully pushing Labour to make Capital Gains Tax fairer.
Additionally getting the government making it easier for councils to crack down on dodgy landlords after I raised this issue with the minister last year, and the Home Secretary promising to look into a Certificate of Common Sponsorship to tackle the exploitation of migrant care workers after I highlighted the problem.
With the climate crisis deepening and the cost of living still spiralling for ordinary people, I’ve never been more determined to fight for my constituents, for real hope and real change in this country.
Carla meeting Louis Theroux at a screening of Louis Theroux: The Settlers – photo: Carla Denyer
It’s been a year since I was elected as a member of Parliament for Bristol Central and the year has been a whirlwind.
I get lots of questions about what it’s like to be an MP, so I’ve tried to answer a few of the most common questions here.
Is it fun? Do you enjoy it?
It’s certainly a privilege.
Working hard to represent the constituents of Bristol Central on the issues they are passionate about drives me.
Sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s depressing (like when the government pushes through a terrible new law despite my efforts to persuade them to do something better) and sometimes I am pulling my hair out at the way Parliament’s antiquated rules and procedures get in the way of progress.
But it is rewarding, because I know that I am making a difference.
Do you live in Bristol or London? How often do you go to London?
I live in Bristol – I have done since I moved here for my first job after university.
But a big part of an MP’s job is debating and voting on laws in the House of Commons in London, so I spend half of my time there.
Some people assume that some of the meetings, or even the voting, can be done remotely.
But nope – voting is still done by filing through corridors which we call ‘lobbies’ and being counted as we walk through a door, like sheep.
What does a typical week look like for you?
I spend the first half of my week in London, and a lot of that is spent in the Commons chamber, contributing to important debates and voting on bills and amendments.
Sometimes I can be found inTV and radio studios, using my platform to raise issues that are important to me and my constituents.
Then when I’m in Bristol, I spend my time meeting with constituents, community organisations, workplaces and local charities.
For example, over the last few weekends I visited a pharmacy to understand the huge funding challenges facing pharmacists who are struggling to stay open, I attended an event with Bristol’s Greek Orthodox community, and next weekend I’ll be at Bristol Pride.
💚What an honour to have been Bristol Central’s MP for the past year!
📺Here’s a bit about what I’ve been up to since I got elected
🔍 Find out more about my work in Parliament: https://t.co/sWPyob17yd
✍️ Contact me: https://t.co/QCoFp1IV7b pic.twitter.com/lqGlFv2l46
— Carla Denyer (@carla_denyer) July 4, 2025
Do you have lots of staff supporting you?
I have a small but incredible staff team based in my parliamentary and constituency offices.
Their work is really important in helping me to carry out my duties as an MP.
They help me to manage my diary, organise events and surgeries, do research, prepare for media interviews and parliamentary debates, and most importantly to engage with and support my constituents.
What’s your office like?
You may have heard the stories about how the buildings in Parliament are crumbling. Happy to report that the taps in my building only stop working every few weeks, and the power has only gone out once (so far).
But while it’s definitely overdue some repairs, my parliamentary office has lots of natural light and is bright and airy, which I am grateful for.
My constituency office in Bristol is overflowing with plants and has some excellent sofas that my staff found at the British Heart Foundation in Broadmead.
Do you work with MPs from other parties?
Yes, I work with MPs from different parties almost every day.
I sit on committees with MPs from all parties, such as the Climate Change group or the Renters’ Rights Bill Committee.
I regularly work with other MPs to put pressure on government, whether that’s through cross-party amendments (e.g. to the welfare cuts bill) or open letters (e.g. on Gaza).
Last year, I was also one of the co-proposers of the cross-party Climate and Nature Bill. However, it is not always plain sailing and many MPs are often resistant to change, refusing to implement policies that could change people’s lives for the better.
What’s it like being part of a group of four Green MPs?
I feel lucky to be part of such a skilled and passionate team.
The four of us were all elected for the first time in July last year, taking on the baton from the inimitable Caroline Lucas, and I love the way our range of expertise, backgrounds and temperaments compliment one another.
My only regret is that there aren’t more of us, but we’re working on that.
What’s your least favourite thing about Parliament?
My least favourite thing about Parliament is the amount of our time that is wasted every week because of old fashioned parliamentary norms and procedures that don’t make any sense and can get in the way of doing real work.
Despite there being 650 MPs there are only 427 seats in the House of Commons chambers so, just to get a seat, I need to arrive early to place down a prayer card.
If you’re not on one of the main sets of benches, then you’re not allowed to speak and take part in the debate. It’s like the medieval version of putting your towel on a deckchair.
How do you manage the physically demanding and sometimes mentally gruelling nature of the job?
I’m really fortunate that I have a strong support system around me.
I also like to swim and spend time in nature to look after both my mental and physical health.
I would be lying if I said that the duties of an MP aren’t incredibly taxing sometimes, particularly in the moments when you feel utterly powerless in stopping a policy from going through that could have incredibly damaging effects on the most vulnerable, despite your best efforts.
Do you feel like you’re making an impact?
Although it can be incredibly difficult as an MP outside of the governing party to enact the change we want, I work hard to represent the interests of Bristol Central constituents in Westminster.
I’ve been holding the government to account and pushing them to commit to more ambitious climate policies, to build more social housing, to end its complicity in the genocide in Gaza, to reconsider its cruel welfare cuts and more.
And while some of this feels like an uphill battle, I’m pleased to be able to point to issues where I’ve successfully pushed the government to do better, alongside my colleagues.
From co-proposing the Sunshine Bill which led to the government making solar panels on all new homes mandatory, to the government making it easier for councils to crack down on dodgy landlords after I raised this issue with the minister last year, there are Green fingerprints on lots of the more positive things this government
has done.
How do I find out what you’re up to?
You can have a look at They Work for You to see how I’ve voted on bills and what work I’m getting up to in Parliament.
Hansard has a record of all the speeches I’ve made in Parliament, as well as all the written questions I’ve asked the government.
You can also see what I’m up to on Instagram, X, BlueSky and Facebook. If you have any other questions that you can’t find the answer to online, you can always get in touch via email.
This is an opinion piece from Carla Denyer MP for Bristol Central and Green Party co-leader.
If you would like to write an opinion piece to be featured on the website, please send an email to [email protected] with your opinion piece idea and we will get back to you with instructions on the next steps.
Main photo: Green Party
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