What does your local Westminster representative think of nuclear weapons?  Where does he stand on ID cards?  And will he succeed in the next general election?  The Echo's political columnist Fraser Walker asked the questions.

It is barely 9am and the constituency office of Nigel Griffiths, the MP for Edinburgh South, is already a hive of activity.

The fact that the office is busy is surely a good sign. Nigel prides himself on being readily available to his constituents with two surgeries a week – more than most MPs. The slogan on the outside of his Minto Street office reads, "Everyone knows someone Nigel Griffiths has helped."

In Nigel's meeting room, I explain to him that, as this is our first meeting, I'd like to give him the opportunity to talk about the things that he is doing in the constituency. I also have a couple of topics that I want to throw out for discussion, so his constituents can understand where he stands on some of the major issues of today. He invites me to begin with my "agenda".

"Let's start with Trident," I say. No question is needed, and Nigel says instinctively, "I am a life long opponent of nuclear weapons".

He goes on to explain that he gave up the Deputy Leadership of the House of Commons on the basis that his own view did not tally with that of the government. In an age where the words 'politicians' and 'principled' do not sit easily together for many people, my first impression is that Nigel is a man of principle.

Next, we talk about the controversial ID cards scheme the government has planned.  This time I ask him, simply, "Are you in favour of ID cards?"

The response I'm met with doesn't quite seem to immediately answer the question.

Nigel says, "There are no plans for a universal ID card in this parliament".

That may be true, but... "Would you support ID cards if they were proposed in the next parliament?"

"I support voluntary ID cards, and I would review any proposal for compulsory ID cards at that time," says Nigel.

Nigel certainly can't rest on his laurels. He currently has a slim 405-vote majority over the Liberal Democrats – one of the most vulnerable seats in the UK. I decide to investigate his feelings on this further: "How do you feel about your slim majority? Are you confident you can see off the Liberal Democrat threat next year?"

He seems keen to answer the question. "I told the Prime Minister that if an election was held tomorrow I would win this seat with an increased majority of 2000 votes," he says.

It's certainly a bold statement. New Labour are languishing in the polls, but Nigel thinks he will increase his popularity. He has a reputation for being a good local MP, and hence this reputation will carry him further than many. However, he had a good reputation at the time of the last election in 2005. What has changed?

He summarises by asking himself questions and then answering them, "Am I confident about winning this seat at the next election – yes. Am I over confident – no."

He is quick to criticise the Liberal Democrat and SNP coalition currently running City of Edinburgh Council. "I am meeting with the headmaster of James Gillespie's school this afternoon and he is going to tell me how the council have cut his budget for books and teachers by 40%. At the same time the council have voted in favour of getting a report on bringing back ceremonial robes for councillors."

This does seem ridiculous at first, but on further investigation I find out it is entirely true. The robes would cost £3,000 and Jenny Dawe, leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said they were needed to "separate us from the hoi polloi".

I can see through the glass pane in the meeting room door that the waiting area outside is filling up further. I now give him some time to get his message across.

"What marks out South Edinburgh is that people are concerned about their community. People want to secure improvements to make it a better place to bring up their kids. My workload is so significant because I work for a constituency of people who care."

Nigel Griffiths works hard – of that I have little doubt. If I had a local issue I am sure he would do everything he can to help. That is important and should not be underestimated.

As constituents, though, we deserve to know more about his views on the 'national' issues – the ID card debate is an issue on which he remains cagey. That said, should the next election come down to a decision between a sitting Labour MP who has worked tirelessly for his constituents over the last 28 years and a relative unknown from the Liberal Democrats, it would be difficult to opt for the new blood.

Particularly if they deem the return of ceremonial robes an issue worthy of debate.