Has anyone written to their MP about the GRA

Yes. I got no reply. It was weeks ago. Labour MP. I'm going to write again.

I emailed mine in 2016, main concern being women's safety, the reply was on the lines of- transgender individuals are badly treated, but yes some people wish to harm others, we need to find ways to make sure all are protected.
Emailed again a few days ago, this time saying I'm concerned about the Labour party's stance and stating they will lose my vote over this- reply now less sympathetic, 'trans women are women' and do not pose a threat, exisiting provision for single sex exemptions is sufficient protection
My MP (labour) has a very narrow majority. BUT as PP have said I think there is a great danger to MPs in being publicly identified as gender critical. I really just cannot believe that any thinking, educated person can really believe that 'trans women are women', BUT I can see how they if they say anything else, they risk me going public with 'my local MP comes out against trans'
I also wonder if the reply was written by a researcher as it had several typos.
I'm wondering whether to ask for a surgery appointment and promise confidentiality.

He at least sounds like he's listened to you & taken your points on board Destiny.

After reading LongWeek's post (thanks LongWeek!) I do think that persuading as many people as possible to email/write individually to their MP is a good idea - if nothing else it lets them know there's an alternate view to the shouty TRA one.

Here's a screenshot of the letter I received from my MP, was very impressed I got an actual letter, not an email! Would be interested to know what pp thought of it?

Actually JJ nothing HAS to be answered. MPs can do nothing at all and still get their salary (Jared o Mara springs to mind).
Obviously if they want re-electing they are more likely to answer.

But an MP can go and live abroad for 5 years if they want, ignoring their constituents. They will still be paid. Can’t get recalled.

LongWeek thank you that's really helpful.

I work for an MP.

If you write a copy & paste type letter, you are likely to get a copy & paste answer.

MPs are not obligated to answer constituents - sadly there are some who ignore correspondence... and still get voted in.

In our office we have had maybe 2 or 3 emails about gender. That’s all. So it is d finitely worth sending an email or letter. MPs won’t necessarily have thought about GRA yet as they’ve been busy with Brexit stuff.

And for those who say they think a researcher wrote the letter- yes that’s possible. In our office, replies are drafted by staff, but every email in and reply out is read, and approved by the MP. (And sometimes entirely rewritten by th MP)

It may take time to get an answer. We get around 300 emails a day, obviously lots of junk, but 100-150 from constituents, some standard, some individual. If you write an individual email you will get a letter back with 10days. If it’s a 38 degrees click email, (ie nothing individual at all) you will get the auto-reply, and the standard response will be on th website. If you complain about no response after 12 hours, we won’t like you but you will still get a response!

If you ask to see your MP in person, expect to be asked why- they like to be prepared, and may prioritise more urgent people- those about to be evicted, deported, lose their kids etc. So it may take a few weeks before you can see them.

Plus, here may be a longer delay as it’s recess so some are on holiday this week with family and all correspondence will wait for their approval for when they get back.
(Don’t worry, they still check their phone every —hour— day in case the world is ending.)
(Also married to my boss.officially on holiday but he works every evening.)

That's great Horrid

Damn definitely good to write again now if you can.

Sorry Swim England have NOT responded

Ok I will write to mine tomorrow. Thanks for the great ideas on here. Hopefully I will get a response from him because the Swim England bastards have responded to my re education complaint

Faith I think that is a good reply. MPs can't say too much at this point in the debate.

I'm wondering if they've quietly shelved plans to reform the GRA. They must realise its going to be unworkable at best. There was a debate in December 2016, mostly very consensual. Strangely quiet about it since. Strangely the most vocal opponent when he gets a chance is a man - David TC Davies.

I agree with xx I don't think naming MPs on here will help in the current climate. Including replies that suggest people are bigoted for having concerns might help though.

I agree entirely with XXFactor. I will be speaking with my MP next week, but will categorically NOT be naming her on here, especially if she is supportive. If MPs get scared off (and who could blame them, given the TRAs tactics) this will be an absolute disaster for us.

XX you have your opinion, I have mine. We will have to agree to differ.

That's true, but even standard ones still have to be answered.

When I was Weaver Vale campaign manager last year I was answering standard emails to the prospective MP with a standard reply from the prospective MP!

The point is that ppl could find out where he stood on issues. They were mainly about fox hunting, I seem to remember.

If people can name their MPs that would be very helpful, as we're putting together a tally

Not a good idea at all to name the helpful MPs. They will be targeted (these threads are watched) and may withdraw their support. And it will scare off other MPs from being supportive.

Also, I suspect that many are Tory, and you are a Labour activist, JJ. I'm sure you are asking for their names in good faith, but I wouldn't put it past others to misuse the information.

I don't think standard letters have the same impact as individual ones tbh.

Lots of standard format letters are too 'organised, orchestrated campaign', whereas an email/letter from an individual has more credence - lots of different voices saying the same thing in different ways.

PS Does anyone have a standard letter to an MP I can put out as an update? Can copy and paste from here. xx

This is very useful. I notice the tory MP mentioned that they'd change the GRC rules but single sex refuges would stay as such. That's not good enough. We need reassurance on the many, many other implications that self-id would have.

If people can name their MPs that would be very helpful, as we're putting together a tally. If their names and their quotes are out there, journalists can know who to contact to get MPs speaking publicly about this.

I wrote last week and I got a letter through the post yesterday! Just figuring out how to post the letter on here...

This is incredibly important. I have written twice to my (very right wing) MP and he's taken it seriously.
They need pushing and they need constituents to keep putting it in their inboxes. It will actually have much more traction than a post on here (although that's brilliant of course) .

We will only get a major shift when a group of them start saying 'My constituents are NOT happy about self ID and people with penises having free access to hospital wards, women's sports etc and they WON'T vote for us unless we sort this"

So please write!

This is the reply I got from my (tory) MP

Thank you for contacting me about the Gender Recognition Act and your patience awaiting a reply.

I am encouraged by the commitment to equality and hard work is underway to build a society that celebrates and benefits from the talents of everyone. This ensures fairness protects the most vulnerable and prioritises equal opportunities for all.

I understand proposals to streamline and de-medicalise the process for changing gender will be part of a broad consultation of the legal system that underpins gender transition, the Gender Recognition Act. I am told the consultation will aim to relieve the bureaucratic and medical burdens for those who want to change their gender. It will seek to improve the recognition process and reduce the stigma faced by the transgender community. The proposals include removing the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria before being able to apply for gender recognition, and options for reducing the length and intrusiveness of the gender recognition system.

Regarding concerns about single-sex services, the Equality Act 2010 allows organisations to provide single-sex services and I know the Government has no intention of changing the safeguards already in place to protect vulnerable women by providing these services. Those who run single-sex services are professionals and make decisions that are in the best interests of the individual in need and other service users. The consultation on the reform of the Gender Recognition Act will be a wide and open consultation, and I know the Government Equalities Office wants to hear from all stakeholders, including women's groups and refuges.

I will closely follow the progress made in this area.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

Kind regards,

I heard back twice from my MP, he's a tory but he understood. I wrote ages back when this was just bubbling under.