Willie Rennie reports back on his 100th day as local MP

2.05.43pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th May 2006

Willie cuts cake presented by Professor Bill McIntosh, Principal of Lauder College

On the hundredth day since his dramatic election victory, Willie Rennie is sending a report to every single constituent to tell them what he has been doing on their behalf. His report starts:

"Dear Resident,

When you elected me as your MP, I promise to report back on my work on your behalf. That is what I am doing now…"

Mr Rennie reports on his battle to secure the scrapping of £4 Forth Road Bridge toll proposals, his ongoing campaign to bring more services to Queen Margaret Hospital and his determination to keep local post offices open.

Speaking after a visit to Lauder College's science laboratories, the local MP said:

"It is important not only that I represent my constituents, but that I tell them what I am doing. This report is a chance to do that. It is also an opportunity to invite local people to tell me about their concerns. That is why I have included a form that constituents can return to me, free of charge, to tell me what I should be doing for them.

"I am really enjoying being the local MP. It is a massive job, but a rewarding one. I will continue to fight for our area both here and in Westminster."

On his hundredth day, Willie Rennie visited science laboratories at Lauder College, met with the Chief Executive of the Fife Chamber of Commerce and visited an HBOS call centre in Pitreavie Business Park.

Willie Rennie's achievements so far:

1. Tolls

Willie Rennie was elected on a promise to resist £4 tolls on the Forth Road Bridge. Within weeks of his election, he had met the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA), pressed Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, and secured the abolition of the unpopular proposals. Speaking after Tavish Scott announced his opposition FETA's proposals, Mr Rennie said:

"I am delighted that these crazy toll proposals have been rejected. We must now work together to develop public transport alternatives so that people who work outside the centre of Edinburgh are not forced to use their car to cross the Forth. That is the way to cut congestion."

2. Queen Margaret Hospital

Willie Rennie has met with NHS Fife officials to push for more services at Queen Margaret Hospital. He has been listening to senior clinicians, many of whom say that in-patient acute surgery could take part at Queen Margaret. He also believes that spare capacity at the hospital could be used to reduce waiting times on the east coast for routine operations like hip replacements.

3. Defence Spokesperson

Willie Rennie was selected as a Lib Dem Defence Spokesperson within weeks of being elected. He is using the role to develop his party's policy on Rosyth. He has tabled a number of written parliamentary questions to Labour defence ministers about job losses at Defence Munitions Centre Crombie.

4. Active Constituency Office

Willie Rennie has written over 1,000 letters on behalf of local people since he was elected. He welcomes letters and phone calls from constituents and is happy to help with any problem.

5. Parliamentary Record

Since he was elected, Willie Rennie has attended 87% of votes in Westminster, putting him in the top fifth on voting record. He has spoken in six debates and has questioned the Prime Minister twice in weekly Prime Minister's Questions. In his first PMQ's, he asked the PM to look into the decision not to renew three key New Deal contracts with Lauder College.