Breastfeeding in public - email your MP

[wessexgirl]

I have just emailed my MP to urge him to sign the new Early Day Motion preventing harassment of mothers who breastfeed in public. If you want to do the same go to www.unicef.org.uk/campaigns and there is a standard letter you can fire off to your MP.

There is also a list of MPs who have already signed to spare you the embarrassment of contacting one who has already put their name down.

what a patronising arse Mr Key is
No word from mine yet, although I did receive a card saying 'thank you for your communication which will receive attention soon' or something like that.

have just sent this to the editor of Mother and Baby magazine:

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[snip, a winge about a contradition in their article over whether formula will be offered in the Healthy Start scheme]

Also, under the ?breastfeeding in the UK? section, it is stated that there are no plans to introduce a similar law in the rest of the UK (to the Scottish law on breastfeeding in public), but this is not the case. There is an Early Day Motion proposed by David Kidney www.unicef.org.uk/campaigns/take_action/email_fax_your_mp/index.asp?action=26&nodeid=action26§ion=4

Many breastfeeding mums are trying to support this motion by writing to their MPs and asking them to vote in favour. This would have been an ideal opportunity for you to help rally support or at least open the debate within the readership. The EDM is not being heard until next year (February I think), so maybe it is not to late to make mention of the proposal in the next issue?

Kind regards,
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I have never written to my MP before and never been bothered to write to a magazine. I'm amazed how this issue has made me feel

Still no word from my MP yet

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I've (apparently!) emailed my MP about this. Having first found out who he was on the "MP LOCATA" on the paliament website. "Locata"??? WTF??

good god, a veritable man mountain

let's hope that man never has to wear a chin strap

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The Parliamentary Info Sevice website is a revelation! My MP has taken the time to sign up for this !

I am a HP fan and recognise it is great for encouraging reading but that last line... it's a bit of a gag, eh?

oh god at robert key. hmm, let me guess. tory by any chance?

Oliver Letwin has signed up to BUSHMEAT AND SIMIAN FOAMING VIRUS17.05.2005

Thanks for this have emailed my MP, wonder what reply I'll get? Can not believe your MP cod. What a Pr*!!

I have never contacted my MP before, but this makes my blood boil.

I would LOVE someone to ask me to stop breast feeding in public.......

LOL at Oliver Letwin, tinker - that sounds par for the course. You must live near me; mine is Jim Knight.

I e-mailed my MP Simon Hughes about this and just had a letter thanking me for raising it and confirming that he's now signed up. Yay! (I did my own e-mail btw - the unicef one sounded pompous and unconvincing to me).

I had a paper reply from my MP on Saturday, to say that he has signed up to Annette's EDM. I also had an Xmas card from him.

Well done you two, and your MPs of course!

my (Tory) MP has already signed it, bless his Boden stripey socks.
I am secretly very pleased cos I have met him twice and he has been just delightful. The second time, I may possibly have Flirted with him .

I intend to contact my MP about this but he is a dinosaur without email contact. Looks like I will have to use snail mail then. Now back to galley for me. (slave whip emoticon here.)

I'm not sure what to make of this, from my MP:

"Thank you for your letter about the Breastfeeding Bill.

I certainly appreciate the good work the Breastfeeding Support Group does and hope this bill can bring real benefits to women everywhere.

This is to let you know that I have raised your support for this bill with the

With best wishes

Jim Knight".

It is dated NOVEMBER 3rd, as well. I think the ministerial post he was given after the last election might be stressing him out a bit!

Perhaps I should offer to be his secretary?

wessexgirl, what.......[scratching head emoticon]?????

Precisely...do you think it's a deliberate tactic to get me off his back?

I had a lovely letter back from my MP (who sponsored this EDM) with the photocopy of a Bill he has sponsored on 8/11/05 which goes:

A Bill to make it an offence to prevent or stop a person in charge of a child who is otherwise permitted to be in a public place or licensed premises from feeding milk to that child in that place or on those premises

Child counts as anyone under 2. Feeding means both breast and bottle. It would make it an offense both for the employee and the employer. Applies to England & Wales so is clearly an attempt to bring us into line with the more enlightened Scots.

My understanding is that EDM are to raise awareness and gauge support for an issue. The Bill would make it law, but presumably there's a good chance they will run out of time to debate it before close of session. SO, by continuing to push for support, there's a better chance of it getting through because it will be seen as a priority if a vote winner....

Wessexgirl - no I think he's just not finished the email properly

"...this bill with the" he hasn't finished this sentance of

At least he answered, I'm still waiting...

Yay to your MP, philippat, more power to him!