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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Contact your MP re GRA

57 replies

LongWeek · 11/12/2017 21:00

Following the thread about an poster seeing their MP...

I work for an MP. Also married to him.
We have 66,000 ish constituents. Not a single one has contacted DH about trans rights/GRA.

He knows it's coming up, and I've been explaining the issues that are concerning women.

But MPs won't know how people feel unless you tell them. I want to shout it from the rooftops of MN!

Petitions are not as effective as individual emails or face to face conversations. Too many MPs think that the GRA changes are all positive. They need more information.

Please- email or write to your MP.

OP posts:
Original poster
LongWeek · 13/12/2017 00:22

Sorry only just seen all these replies!

MPs are only supposed to deal with their own constituents, so most won't answer if you're not in their constituency.

Sorry, not telling where I'm from- like to be anonymous.

In terms of timescale for replies- we aim for 2 weeks max, though it's usually quicker unless there's been a massive influx of correspondence. (Can be hundreds of emails a day sometimes). Our policy is individual email/letter always gets response back by letter if it's a constituent.

Surgeries- depends on individual MP how they do this. Some have 'drop ins' (less likely after Jo cox) and more have appointments. Depending on the MP they may only have people who need 'help' at surgeries, preferring email/letter to respond to 'issues'. I would think that in most cases they'd want to know in advance why you want to see them. If you request a surgery you may be contacted by caseworker/researcher to ask for details of issues you want to discuss.
DH tends to see a mixture in his surgeries- if someone really wants to see him to discuss an issue he will see them.

MPs can also send your email/letter to a minister to get a 'higher-level' response. They should then send that back to you. You can request this in your email. Women & equalities is Justine greening.

If we'd had 3 emails from someone and they'd not had an answer we would consider we'd failed as an office.

Don't email more than once a day
Don't use daily mail links or stories
Try not to sound too ranty!

There will be some who just take the party line. But there are others who might surprise you.

And remember if you go and see your MP- they are mostly normal people. Some of them are very nice. Some of them are fairly ineffective. Probably in all parties.

I'm glad I may have inspired some people to write. I fell v strongly that women are under represented in politics- not just in parliament but in their communication with MPs too.

OP posts:
raisinsarenottheonlyfruit · 13/12/2017 00:28

I'm waiting for a response from my Lib Dem MP. I didn't put much detail in, just that I had concerns aboit the changes to the GRA, that I'd like to understand the Lib Dem position and share my concerns.

Does anyone know what the Lib Dem position is?

Or have any tips for me? Should I take stuff for him to read later?

woodstack · 13/12/2017 09:23

I wrote to my male Tory MP a good 6 weeks ago about this issue. Got a "He understands your concerns and will let you know when he gets a reply" response quite quickly but nothing since. Must chase. This is the first time I have ever written to an MP. Please write to yours!

MrsKnightley · 13/12/2017 22:23

Funnily enough, after writing on here, Bingo! A reply!

Badgerthebodger · 13/12/2017 23:00

I wrote to mine for the second time just over two weeks ago. First time was a really wishy washy reply but I think my current letter is much better so hopefully will get a better reply. I have a male Lib Dem MP who I imagine probably is privately on side but whether or not he would come out with anything in public remains to be seen.

colouringinagain · 13/12/2017 23:06

Have been thinking I need to get on and write to mine too. Thanks for the thread OP...

BlindYeo · 13/12/2017 23:32

Have written to my MP. About three weeks ago. No reply yet.

Stopmakingsense · 14/12/2017 00:04

I had a really encouraging reply from my MP (male Tory left leaning) - he specifically said it had taken a while to reply because he wanted to take time to consider all the implications of the GRA, which he now understands.
He previously forwarded a letter on a similar subject to Justine Greening, and I then got a Health twonk replying with the usual guff about puberty blockers being harmless and reversible.

Until now I have never written to my MP.

MacaroonMama · 14/12/2017 18:32

Thanks LongWeek for all your thoughts, really helpful, especially to know about asking for it to be moved up the chain, to the women's minister etc. Sorry I asked where your DH's constituency was, should have realised that would be very outing!

Thermostatpolice · 15/12/2017 23:04

Those are excellent tips. Thank you OP.

I got a dismissive pat on the head from my male MP. A quick response though.

catchyjem · 17/12/2017 23:33

I've just spend all day drafting a letter to my MP. However, I've just discovered that they are a member of the women and equalities Committee and have spoken in Parliament strongly in favour of updating the GRA as soon as possible. I don't quite know what to do now as I feel I've just wasted my time.

WTAFisthisshit · 17/12/2017 23:47

catchy still send it, don't let them live in an echo chamber. Point out they've lost your vote and anyone you can get to listen to you.

Backingvocals · 18/12/2017 08:28

Why not add the manifesto of ATH and point out that these people were asked to give evidence to the committee. It’s utterly ludicrous. No women’s groups and no one representing prisons or refuges.

Datun · 18/12/2017 08:40

Everyone has individual MPs, would it be better to always copy the letter to say, Justine Greening? That way she gets hundreds of them. In one place.

catchyjem · 18/12/2017 08:44

What's the ATH?

MyAuntyBadger · 18/12/2017 08:53

Action for Trans Health.

Nineteenagain · 18/12/2017 09:12

I wrote to Justine Greening as well as my own MP . Got a reply quite quickly from her office but just the usual about how great they are on equality issues. Didn't address any of the points I raised except to say they would be consulting womens groups.

catchyjem · 18/12/2017 10:23

Yes, I think I will still send it. I'm going to slightly reword first now that I know her views.

ThomasRichard · 18/12/2017 10:31

I’m waiting to hear back from my MP’s office about my request for an appointment. In the meantime, I’m researching the issues so that I feel prepared.

This fact-sheet linked by a poster on my thread has been very useful: sages.

ShotsFired · 18/12/2017 10:36

FWIW, I got a reply in about 10 minutes saying he was not supportive of the GRA. I am setting aside some time to send him a pack full of info, news printouts and whatnot of stuff I am reading on here and elsewhere.

I would not accept no reply as a reply.

Backingvocals · 18/12/2017 14:06

I've just written to my MP for the third time enclosing that ATH manifesto. I am so mad that they were asked to give evidence to the select committee and women were not. Their manifesto is laughable - but apparently more worthwhile than anything a woman has to say.

If he doesn't reply this time I'll name and shame him.

PeanutButterIsEverything · 18/12/2017 21:32

I have only once written to my MP and that was when they were proposing to sell off the forests. This is an equally ludicrous and dangerous situation and I will definitely be writing to my (labour) MP. It will be interesting to see what a woman who is a Corbynite and also a woman of faith has to say. I like her in general so I do hope she is as sensible and rational on this issue as she seems in other areas.

SonicBoomBoom · 18/12/2017 21:57

Can anyone more switched on that me explain for those of us in Scotland: do I write to my MP or MSP about this?

Or both?

I know that the Scottish Parliament will try and be right-on about this because they love to jump on a bandwagon disguised as progressive. But I don't know if they just have to follow any direction from Westminster?

BlackBetha · 18/12/2017 22:43

(Next borough along so Lewisham). I think Heidi Alexander their MP would be v receptive too.

That's interesting, MacaroonMama. HA is my MP, and I hadn't bothered writing to her about this as I assumed she would be too Labour and left-leaning to respond with anything other than a bland 'transwomen are women'. But thinking about it, she seems a sensible, practical type, and I know she has a particular interest in healthcare, as well as having a good relationship with Muslim women's groups (who might well have concerns about the potential loss of single-sex spaces).

I'll give it a try, and report back if I get any meaningful response!

FusionChefGeoff · 18/12/2017 23:00

This is on another thread and would be a fabulous link to include in any emails to MPs

www.socfem.net/faq

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