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Original poster

Government petitions are a waste of time

59 replies

SootyTheCat · 02/03/2016 10:06

Just saw the response to the Meningitis petition. Over 800,000 signatures. I thought it was going to be debated. But its already been rejected.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35706014

I mean whats the bloody point in the whole petition system? Is there a single petition that has resulted in the government actually changing something, or is it just a big con to make us feel like our voices are being heard while really just going lalalala we don't care?

OP posts:
sugar21 · 02/03/2016 12:49

evilcherub Quite agree, but the government have shot themselves in the foot, they will still have to debate.
I have sent numerous e-mails to my MP and have not had a single reply. Just goes to show the old boys network doesn't care!

whattheseithakasmean · 02/03/2016 12:55

See also protest marches. When did they ever change anything in the uk, however noble?

The poll tax riots pretty much brought down Thatcher. As others have said, these things can and do make a difference, but it is often slow, cumulative, incremental progression rather than a single massive u turn.

Sugar so sad to read about your lovely Daisy. I lost my son Alexander at 13 months (not meningitis) so you know those are not just trite words from me. If your campaigning has just given you the strength to keep functioning daily it has been worth it. That alone is no small achievement.

Voldetort · 02/03/2016 13:17

I've emailed my MP asking him to please support the petition when it's debated. I don't know if he will or not but it can't hurt to register my thoughts.

I didn't know it only costs the government £9 per vaccine. Obviously when that's multiplied across every child it soon adds up but even if they offered it to parents at cost price of £9 per child and free to families with income below a set threshold it would be something.

sugar21 · 02/03/2016 13:20

www.meningitis.org/ctc

Goldenhandshake · 02/03/2016 13:55

If the Govt are getting the vaccine for only £9 a shot, why the fuck don't they at least make it available to parents who want it for their children for that price? Surely that's not too much to ask? Makes me so fucking angry Angry

bumbleymummy · 02/03/2016 13:58

It isn't £9 per vaccine. I think that was the price the JCVI originally said it would be cost effective at but they didn't manage to negotiate it down to that price. It was originally said to be £75 but I think it is lower than that now.

TheSinkingFeeling · 02/03/2016 14:24

The poll tax riots pretty much brought down Thatcher.

That's because it WAS a riot, the biggest peacetime disturbance since the war IIRC.
As a veteran lefty and demo attendee, I'm starting to think it's all a waste of time. Peaceful demonstrations and petition signing do nothing; the government has a workable majority, and we don't seem to have an opposition at the moment. They can do what they want, and pay lip service to public opinion.

Beaniebeemer · 02/03/2016 15:08

Why not deduct the £9 per child from child benefit? I know it would be an administrative PITA but I would give people the opportunity

bluespiral · 02/03/2016 15:16

sugar I just wanted to say that regardless of the outcome of the debate, your campaigning has raised the profile of meningitis and the fact that there is a vaccine. That's such a positive thing.

Our DD is 4 so wouldn't get it on the NHS anyway, but thanks to your petition we now know there is a vaccine (had no idea beforehand) and we will be getting it done privately once it's back in stock. I'm sure we're not alone in vaccinating as a result of the publicity and I'm sure that somewhere along the line, lives will be saved because of what you've done. Flowers

sugar21 · 02/03/2016 15:48

Thank you bluespiral I do not wish to another Mum to watch their child die. I had too and I wish I had gone with her. I blame myself for not getting her to hospital quicker. Because she didn't have a rash I thought she had flu. Kudos to my GP he diagnosed correctly. I was given a choice of ambulance or take Daisy myself. I opted for the latter and got stuck in traffic.

ForalltheSaints · 03/03/2016 22:08

It is a gimmick and for those starting one, a cheap form of raising an issue.

jeremyisahunt · 03/03/2016 22:47

Don't be so selfish you lot! Our lords need their champagne and our MPs need their moats! How dare you ask for something? They know what's best for you.

sugar21 · 03/03/2016 22:48

Perhaps they'd like to visit my dds grave

Samcro · 03/03/2016 22:54

i think this is something that calls for a mn campaign

sugar21 · 03/03/2016 23:02

I will be attending the sessions at the HoC on the 22nd

www.meningitisnow.org/support-us/news-centre/news-stories/petitions-committee-starts-debate-process/

1234Littleham · 04/03/2016 10:08

Handled very badly by Mr Bean in central Government.

As I said on another thread...... I can't work out if the Petitions Committee really is neutral or whether this has been pre-decided. If it is the latter then that is a democratic scandal of unholy proportions & the Government will pay the price with many of its own voters (just look at the Geographical map of people who signed the petition.....Home Counties & radiating out on all the Tory areas). That is why they were so stupid to release a letter before the debate saying they had absolutely no intention of making any changes.

1234Littleham · 04/03/2016 10:16

Sorry - you need the link to look at the Geographical area. Just click Show on a map

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/108072

BeyondDespairandRepair · 04/03/2016 11:09

The petition however and its large numbers was helpful to bring it into public domain, good to know strong public feeling behind it, useful to be able to say XX amount of people want this etc.Not a waste of time at all even if a few more people hear about the jab and get it done privatly, not a waste of time, to bring it in the public view.

sugar21 · 04/03/2016 11:54

Thanks Beyond Im going to the pre debate sessions as an involved parent on the 22nd at the House of Commons.

bumbleymummy · 04/03/2016 12:08

"The Committee decided to hold two evidence sessions on 15 and 22 March to further investigate this issue before it is debated by MPs. The sessions will start at about 2.15 pm and will be open to MPs, the press and public to attend. The sessions will also be broadcast live on parliamentlive.tv. Further information about these arrangements will be announced in the next week."

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