I knocked on doors in Spittal yesterday as part of my monthly commitment to undertake doorstep surgeries. These surgeries are in addition to the ones I hold throughout the constituency which are widely advertised. It is essential that I give people the opportunity to raise issues with me on the doorstep because otherwise they may not get the chance. People are appreciative of this because they constantly tell me that they only see politicians when they want something, usually just before an election. I wish more politicians at all levels carried out regular doorstep surgeries because it might stop some people using the phrase "we only see politicians during election time". This might also drive away apathy and result in more people being engaged in politics.