Has anyone written to their MP about the GRA

[Glitterkitten24]

Hello,

This is the first time I have posted in this section.
Inspired by the reminders to complete the consultation on the GRA in Scotland currently in AIBU, I want to write to my MP to explain my stance on exactly why the self-id is harmful to woman’s rights.

I am quite new to this issue, and the feminist boards but have seen many eloquent, and detailed arguements from posters here.
I will sit down to compose something later tonight, but just wondered if anyone has already contacted their MP, that might be willing to share their letter/email/thoughts with me?

I have never felt strongly enough to want to write to my MP about anything before, but I need to say my piece.

Any help from those more articulate than me would be hugely welcome!

Ok I will write to mine tomorrow. Thanks for the great ideas on here. Hopefully I will get a response from him because the Swim England bastards have responded to my re education complaint

Sorry Swim England have NOT responded

Damn definitely good to write again now if you can.

That's great Horrid

I work for an MP.

If you write a copy & paste type letter, you are likely to get a copy & paste answer.

MPs are not obligated to answer constituents - sadly there are some who ignore correspondence... and still get voted in.

In our office we have had maybe 2 or 3 emails about gender. That’s all. So it is d finitely worth sending an email or letter. MPs won’t necessarily have thought about GRA yet as they’ve been busy with Brexit stuff.

And for those who say they think a researcher wrote the letter- yes that’s possible. In our office, replies are drafted by staff, but every email in and reply out is read, and approved by the MP. (And sometimes entirely rewritten by th MP)

It may take time to get an answer. We get around 300 emails a day, obviously lots of junk, but 100-150 from constituents, some standard, some individual. If you write an individual email you will get a letter back with 10days. If it’s a 38 degrees click email, (ie nothing individual at all) you will get the auto-reply, and the standard response will be on th website. If you complain about no response after 12 hours, we won’t like you but you will still get a response!

If you ask to see your MP in person, expect to be asked why- they like to be prepared, and may prioritise more urgent people- those about to be evicted, deported, lose their kids etc. So it may take a few weeks before you can see them.

Plus, here may be a longer delay as it’s recess so some are on holiday this week with family and all correspondence will wait for their approval for when they get back.
(Don’t worry, they still check their phone every —hour— day in case the world is ending.)
(Also married to my boss.officially on holiday but he works every evening.)

LongWeek thank you that's really helpful.

Actually JJ nothing HAS to be answered. MPs can do nothing at all and still get their salary (Jared o Mara springs to mind).
Obviously if they want re-electing they are more likely to answer.

But an MP can go and live abroad for 5 years if they want, ignoring their constituents. They will still be paid. Can’t get recalled.

Here's a screenshot of the letter I received from my MP, was very impressed I got an actual letter, not an email! Would be interested to know what pp thought of it?

He at least sounds like he's listened to you & taken your points on board Destiny.

After reading LongWeek's post (thanks LongWeek!) I do think that persuading as many people as possible to email/write individually to their MP is a good idea - if nothing else it lets them know there's an alternate view to the shouty TRA one.

I emailed mine in 2016, main concern being women's safety, the reply was on the lines of- transgender individuals are badly treated, but yes some people wish to harm others, we need to find ways to make sure all are protected.
Emailed again a few days ago, this time saying I'm concerned about the Labour party's stance and stating they will lose my vote over this- reply now less sympathetic, 'trans women are women' and do not pose a threat, exisiting provision for single sex exemptions is sufficient protection
My MP (labour) has a very narrow majority. BUT as PP have said I think there is a great danger to MPs in being publicly identified as gender critical. I really just cannot believe that any thinking, educated person can really believe that 'trans women are women', BUT I can see how they if they say anything else, they risk me going public with 'my local MP comes out against trans'
I also wonder if the reply was written by a researcher as it had several typos.
I'm wondering whether to ask for a surgery appointment and promise confidentiality.

Yes. I got no reply. It was weeks ago. Labour MP. I'm going to write again.