Married to an MP

[LongWeek]

Not sure if anyone wants to ask me anything...

I won’t say which constituency or party.
Might have to be a bit vague about some things to ensure anonymity.

Is his constituency a "safe" seat ?

sacred depends on how you define safe.
I think the answer is no.

Do you have an open relationship with OH?

Does he prefer the work in the constituency or the work in and around The Commons?

Open relationship- as in he tells me everything- yes. If you mean can he sleep with other people- no.

He likes both Westminster & constituency. Westminster is obviously big national stuff, but constituency means he can help people 1:1.
He is sometimes frustrated in constituency when eg we’re having a family day (Sunday) with the kids and people stop him and want half an hour of his time right then to explain their problems or views. We all then have to wait. He can’t switch off.

Do you think your DH will ever be Prime Minister? Would he like to be?

How do MPs target their door to door campaigning ? We never get a knock ! Leaflets yes.

No I don’t think he’ll be prime minister- I don’t think he’s ruthless enough! But I didn’t think he’d ever be an MP.

Door to door campaigning- it sometimes depends where they have volunteers. We have about 36,000 households so the volunteers never get to every house. If might be that they knocked & you weren’t in so left a leaflet instead.
I don’t organise campaigns so I’m not really sure.

He tells you everything?
In his field a confidentiality breach would be a disaster

I did mean sex with other people, yes.
I only asked because I used to work for a political party with offices near Westminster and got to know the culture. MPs and their staff work long hours away from home in close proximity. I guess things have changed, then.

Hi OP: I also work in a constituency office and it's one of the best, most interesting jobs I've ever had.
What surprised you most about constituency work?
For me it was the contrast between the totally harrowing (destitution, people imprisoned abroad, etc) and the absurdly mundane ("eyesores", potholes, neighbours untrimmed hedges).

thrice when I say everything I mean... everything he chooses to tell me!
The sex thing- yes I know of other MPs who have ‘open’ marriages. DH does work closely with his staff- I also do, and I know them well. I have full access to his emails, and phone.

I also trust him completely.

I did point out to him after the last stupid MP caught sexting people that the only way to be sure that you don’t get caught like that is either never to send any messages at all to people- only say it in person, or don’t have affairs.

I’m not sure that the culture has changed- I just don’t think they’re all doing it.

unlimited yes absolutely. One minute you’re on the phone to someone who’s considering suicide, the next you’re dealing with ‘why hasn’t the grass been cut’ as if it’s the biggest problem in the univserse!
Also- that people will write & phone about the most intimate things expecting their MP to help. Recurrent thrush was a recent one.

And we have regulars who phone daily or weekly because they’re lonely. I hadn’t expected that.

Thrice, what a smug, backhanded dig.

hideandgo it’s true though- there are plenty of people who would shag an MP to further their career or just because..
and plenty of willing MPs.
But my DH isn’t one of them.

Did you or your OH go to private school?
Do your children?

Does your OH support the 'back door' privatization of the education system through academy programme?

Is your OH concerned about the lack of funding for schools and school closures ( rural particularly) which are detrimental to village life.

Does your OH support the current pressures on children, teachers and school leaders, in a narrow, test based curriculum?

Will any of this affect your children?

Sorry, so many questions, but thank you for the opportunity to ask.

What will he do if he loses his seat in the next election?

What did you and your husband do before politics ?

I understand from a previous post that your husband does not support Brexit. Did his constituency vote with an overall majority for remain? If not how does he resonate going against the wishes of his constituents?

Education - DH private school, me state. Kids all in state.

Yes very concerned about school funding- does not support narrow curriculum or teacher pressure. All education decisions will affect our kids. Not sure of view on academies.

Before politics- don’t want to be too specific, but he was in business, I was public sector worker, then SAHM for a bit.

DH voted in the referendum the same way as the majority of his constituency. So not going against constituents.

Hi LongWeek. I've noticed you before being very helpful on some of the Feminism threads - advising posters how to lobby their MPs etc.

What does your DH think of the whole Gender self-id debate? Do you and he share similar views?

Gender self-ID. He agrees that people should be allowed to live their lives how they like.

He has concerns about self ID and the impact on women & girls. He does not think people can change sex.

I use a wheelchair full time. I have one DC and one on the way.
I live in a council rented home that isn't at all suitable. Can't get my wheelchair into some rooms etc and can't walk at all.

Council aren't likely to house me any time soon and have put me as middle priority.

When DC2 arrives I will be in a very difficult situation.
Don't have room for a cot, never mind all other baby paraphernalia. (Bungalow designed for single person. Excessively small)

Could writing to my MP help matters?
I feel like the council aren't interested and private renting isn't an option because private homes just aren't accessible.

pepper it will depend on your MP as to how much help they will be. If you contacted us, our caseworker would call the council & do everything possible to help get you a more suitable house. We can’t eitk miracles, but can sometimes help to draw attention to things that need sorting.
Certainly no harm in trying. Some MPs do less than others in terms of actually helping constituents. (In all parties)

He has concerns about self ID and the impact on women & girls. He does not think people can change sex.

Thanks LongWeek. Do many MPs privately share this view, do you think? Because none seem to be speakng publicly about it.

Why can't they just honestly answer the actual question they've been asked, instead of skirting around, blathering on about other things, and not answering it at all?