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Original poster

Going to see MP tomorrow about Times articles this week, what do I ask?

62 replies

surferjets · 12/04/2019 10:08

Name changed for this.
My MP has a drop in surgery tomorrow, no need for a letter or appointment. Seems like a great time to go and see him with copies of this weeks Times articles.

I'm going to ask him to raise the issue of lack of oversight at Tavistock regarding safeguarding and consent for children with the Select Committee for Health.

I'll ask him to raise questions in the house (or) start an inquiry into the role of Mermaids in training/ lobbying in schools/ NHS/ police etc.

Am I wording this correctly? What else should I ask? You are all so much more knowledgeable than I am on this, and I'll admit to being rather intimidated by this!

Also, as the articles came out this week, it seems a great opportunity for us all the check if our MP may have a drop in surgery tomorrow. ( If you live in N Wilts, pop in on him too!)

[Edited by MNHQ to remove identifying information]

OP posts:
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surterjets · 28/04/2019 22:00

Thanks Melted !

MeltedEggMum · 28/04/2019 16:24

Op your name change hasn't worked Wink

Original poster
surferjets · 28/04/2019 16:02

*Old Crone
*
When he talked about being 'on my side' we had said that of course we agreed on Transpeople not being discriminated against, we just shared a concern that young people were vulnerable and that they shouldn't be pressured or influenced at a young age. We were both concerned that a possible lack of oversight at Tavistock posed a safeguarding risk.

OP posts:
Original poster
surferjets · 28/04/2019 13:57

Thanks Old Crone.

I think he does, he spoke fondly of his daughters climbing trees and being outdoorsy. I think if he wants to identify as old fashioned that's ok!

OP posts:
OldCrone · 28/04/2019 12:52

Well done, surferjets.

I am a bit concerned about this, though:

He was very nice, describing himself as very old fashioned and ' on my side in this.'

It implies that his objection to the trans agenda is likely to be due to him wanting women and men to stay within their traditional stereotypical roles. If so, it adds fuel to the idea that trans ideology is progressive and we are the ones who are 'old fashioned'. Does he understand that trans ideology is based on sexist and homophobic stereotypes which we would all be better off without?

BlackeyedGruesome · 28/04/2019 00:45

Thank you. (Parent of GNC autistic girl)

Original poster
surferjets · 27/04/2019 21:36

Thanks Ancient, going to be waiting on responses now! I think it was less intimidating to just go in, and it's great that he acted right away. I was quite ( very) impressed with his, "I'll just compose the letter right now, you know it's done and I don't have anything to remember to do later" system. Wish I was so efficient.

OP posts:
AncientLights · 27/04/2019 21:12

Well done Surfer. Flowers

Original poster
surferjets · 27/04/2019 15:30

Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
LangCleg · 27/04/2019 13:58

Well done, OP! Proud of you!

LizzieSiddal · 27/04/2019 13:53

That’s fantastic!

nauticant · 27/04/2019 13:48

That's terrific surferjets. We need questions to be flying about, as many as possible. People will either face the choice of trying to answer them, which will peak-trans many, or go out of their way to avoid answering them, which itself will start to bother anyone looking on.

KatvonHostileExtremist · 27/04/2019 13:38

Well done!

boatyardblues · 27/04/2019 13:37

Brilliant work surfer.

Original poster
surferjets · 27/04/2019 13:30

So I saw him today. He was very nice, describing himself as very old fashioned and ' on my side in this.'

I asked him to ask PM about the progress of her inquiry into ROGD and to raise the qs around the Tavistock and the recent articles in the Times with Sarah W and the Health Select Committee.

He suggested that it would be better to write to a minister, as the committee was already going working on other things, ( as was shown in the letter another mner recieved yesterday) and PM was 'on a mission' to promote equality. He then composed a letter right then to Mike Hancock, Minister for Health, and copied in SW and PM!

He basically composed the letter (on his dictaphone) while reading the articles I'd given him. ( Great idea to highlight bits Rowan!) He said he had a concerned constituent who was raising questions, asked about the Tavistock, mentioned the Oxford professor and also asked about Penny's urgent ROGD enquiry.

What was interesting was that he went to great lengths in his letter to stress ( rightly) that neither of us were in any way against trans people, just concerned about the way 'the pendulum was swinging' to influence children during those vulnerable teen years. I told him about the high proportion of autistic children or those with mh issues or bullying, and he put that all in.

I'm not really sure what he specifically asked, and I didn't think to ask for a copy of the letter. He was raising questions about the concerns I had. He took the photocopied articles to send with his letter.

I will get copies of their replies. I'll let you know what they say!

OP posts:
nettie434 · 14/04/2019 07:25

Not sure about Loughton to be honest

He is quite hard core on welfare/Brexit etc but at least he understood his brief when a Minister. It feels as if we are starting from a low base when it comes to politicians these days Sad so perhaps I need to up my expectations!

R0wantrees · 13/04/2019 22:44

Not only was Tim Loughton was a former Children’s Minister, he did have a reputation for being well informed and committed. May be aware than some about safeguarding.

Not sure about Loughton to be honest.

nettie434 · 13/04/2019 22:24

Shame about the wasted journey Surferjets but was reading an article today saying all MPs were worn out with Brexit. In two weeks time, he may feel more rested. Trying to be optimistic but not Pollyanna-ish I hope. Thanks for links about Victoria Atkins Rowantrees. They were interesting. Not only was Tim Loughton was a former Children’s Minister, he did have a reputation for being well informed and committed. May be aware than some about safeguarding.

Pancakestastelikecrepe · 13/04/2019 17:17

I have sent my request, requesting a meeting in relation to 'women's rights and access to education in rural areas' thinking that I can't be accused of being disingenuous...

I am waiting with breath that is bated 😬🙄

R0wantrees · 13/04/2019 17:10

Pancake
We have a number of overlapping interests Wink

Pancakestastelikecrepe · 13/04/2019 17:01

@R0wantrees How did you know I'm an English Lecturer?😉
Will do and will feedback, fully, should I be granted an audience

R0wantrees · 13/04/2019 16:59

apologies for the odd apostrophe there!

R0wantrees · 13/04/2019 16:59

It might also be worth leaving Victoria Atkins with a couple of the really well written articles about Penny Mordant's recent poor response to MN's serious questions.

They should be easily searched

The Conservative's and Women & Equalities Dept need to be aware of how this is being viewed.

R0wantrees · 13/04/2019 16:55

I read it as that Smile

Pancakestastelikecrepe · 13/04/2019 16:54

@R0wantrees ROGD even 🙄

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