Have you ever contacted your MP?

[AnneLovesGilbert]

I write to mine from time to time when the government does something that annoys me and he’s always prompt in replying and I find him reasonable. I haven’t had to ask for his help with anything but I suppose I would if there was something I thought he could help with.

I was listening to the radio this morning about the huge increase in case work MPs have and the sorts of things they’re asked to be involved with - healthcare, school places which are fair enough, but also neighbourhood disputes about hedges and parking, and people contesting parking tickets.

One of them said people are using their MP’s office like a stand in for citizens advice.

I was really surprised but I don’t know many people who’ve said they’ve ever contacted theirs never mind given them a hard time because their neighbour’s annoyed them.

I've emailed my MP multiple times, urging him to vote a certain way on issues. I normally get what is obviously a standard response letter (on the expensive thick House of Commons cream paper, which annoys me, why not just email me back? Such a waste of tax payers money).

Normally the letter waffles on, doesn't actually answer my question and reading between the lines is, "no I won't be voting the way you want me to as I will be sticking to the party line".

Thank god he's stepping down, he's been totally useless.

I've worked as a caseworker for an MP and, before that, in a Citizens Advice Bureau.

The work was quite similar except that at the MPs office you don't seem to get as many "medium sized" problems. Enquiries were clustered around the poles of the absolutely harrowing and the wildly trivial.

It was a fantastic job though. I loved working there.

Yes. Numerous times to ask for help over something when the law wasn't being applied.

I got no response other than the 3rd time where they sent me a link to the document I had quoted from throughout which contained the law that should have been being applied.

My MP is Braverman who was attorney general at the time. I'm not sure why I'm surprised.

Yes during the pandemic re schools closing

Yes when the Local authority were taking the piss and breaching legal deadlines in finding a suitable school for my child with SEN.
Funnily enough a place became magically available once he got involved.

He's a Tory and not someone I'd ever vote for but to give him his dues he got involved and did help.

Yes, he’s a decent man. I don’t necessarily agree with his politics but he’s an outstanding constituency MP.

You do know it's not the actual MP who replies?

About 35 years ago. Horrible situation involving the death of a child ( not mine) was very surprised at the instant response, I received a reply with 3/4 days of writing, in the days of snail mail only and the help given.
My current MP doesn’t accept email, only snail mail, I assume to deter people from contacting him.

Exactly the same here... Wonder if you can guess the party?
We are not rural, but the constituency is.

Yes, I wrote to see if they could help a community organisation I am involved with that was in dire straits. Thier office helped to unblock an issue with the bank which really helped.

I am. But the Maps are responsible for employing staff and should make sure they employ ones who make them look good.

Although I accept in Bravermans case that may be a challenge too far

Most of the time it’s not, but sometimes it is :)

No , but he would probably use parchment, and a quill to respond. My MP is Rees Mogg.

Oh god poor you. I always wonder is it awful living in a place where so many people chose to vote for such a nob. Do you look at your neighbours differently?(See also Uxbridge, Witham, South Staffs I could go on and on). But Rees Mogg is at the top of the "how the fuck could anyone actually vote for the man" list.

Yes, wrote to mine after I moved into my new build house and was experiencing issues directly caused by the show homes behind my house, the developers (shared site) were arguing between themselves and doing nothing. MP made contact and literally had a resolution the next day. Ridiculous really.

Our LA are constantly breaching their legal responsibilities, and blame schools for their own shortcomings and failures most of the time. What did you include in your letter to the MP? Just an outline of the situation? I can’t imagine ours having a clue, or caring at all. I expect he has the same views as the councillors we saw on video last week. But he does know the law, as former Attorney General.

@MrsMoastyToasty @AndThatWasNY Mr Rees-Mogg should be facing treason charges along with Mr Johnson, for unlawfully asking the late Queen to suspend Parliament. I don't know how he could square his conscience to serve in a government led by a man who has never been faithful to any marriage vows and may have pressurised a woman into having an aborton.

Sounds like we share an MP!

Having worked for local government I can say if the MP gets involved the matter becomes top priority, you might not get the outcome you want still but things will be dealt with swiftly.

Same here. Very slow to reply and the replies are pointless standard vague responses. Conservative, safe seat, anti-civil partnerships, etc - she's only in photos dishing out awards at the local farmers market for "Best artisan scotch egg" etc and filling her face with free cake - she's never at the local food bank.

Our LA are constantly breaching their legal responsibilities, and blame schools for their own shortcomings and failures most of the time. What did you include in your letter to the MP? Just an outline of the situation? I can’t imagine ours having a clue, or caring at all. I expect he has the same views as the councillors we saw on video last week. But he does know the law, as former Attorney General.

See above my post. It was sendcop I quoted because I was having problems with anyone meeting the law re EHCP etc. I wrote to Braverman (who at the time was attorney general so should know the law) and got nothing back.

Except the 3rd time where I quoted parts of it, what I'd done and responses and the response I got was a - this will help you know what should be done - and a copy of the very sendcop I quoted.

Worse than a chocolate teapot 🙄

I did once. She responded herself and came across as really nice. It didn't lead anywhere but her heart was in the right place.