She can expect a further email

I was all prepared for a rant against my MP, Harriet Harman. Before last year’s General Election she answered all my emails promptly, with supporting documentation. They may have said nothing I didn’t expect them to say, but that’s politics. Then, after the election, all the replies stopped. I sent two emails and got nothing back. So yesterday, having decided to use my blog to have a pop at her, the wind was taken well and truly out of my sails when I got home to find a letter from the House of Commons waiting for me.

It begins:

Dear Mr Gasston,

Thank you for your email of 9th November concerning the Terrorism Bill… Thank you for taking the time to write to me about this important issue. Please do accept my apologies for the delay in my response. However, I did read your comments at the time.

That’s fair enough, then. It’s been a busy time, and at least she took the time to read my comments, which stated that I was strongly opposed to the Government’s position on the Terrorism Bill.

I am pleased to hear that you are supportive of the Government’s position on the Terrorism Bill.

Oh.

I have written to Charles Clarke MP, Home Secretary to ensure that he is aware of your positive comments.

And they say that MPs are out of touch with their constituents…

Author: Peter

Long-time resident of Camberwell, author of this blog since July 2004.

4 thoughts on “She can expect a further email”

  1. I received the following e‑mail today:

    Dear Resident,
    Please first excuse this ’round robin’ and if you have been emailed twice however time is of the essence. The South London Press has kindly agreed to write an article on the campaign to persuade Ken Livingstone & the Government to build a tube extension & station at Camberwell. The paper wishes to take a photograph of residents in support on Camberwell Green itself next Tuesday 17th January at 9am. Please come along as it is important as many residents as possible attend so please also tell your friends and neighbours. We will meet at the entrance nearest the automated toilet.
    We must stress two things at this stage first this is a community led campaign not a party political one although obviously supported by local Councillors and secondly the campaign is focused on obtaining agreement on the principle of a tube station rather than the details of where, which line, etc which can be determined later.
    We hope you will agree that transport is the key to the future regeneration of Camberwell and now is the time to make as much noise as possible with investments being made for the forthcoming London Olympics in 2012.
    Other aspects to the campaign (petitions, etc.) will be available in due course but please come on Tuesday to show your support to formally get the campaign off the ground.
    Many thanks.
    Yours sincerely,
    Cllr. Ian Wingfield & Cllr. Alison Moise

  2. My partner got a very similar-sounding letter from from Harman, although I think she managed to at least register that the original letter had been written against the Terrorism Bill. It’s sad that we live in an area where all the local Labour MPs seem to be such abject New Labour toadies and careerists (with the exception of Kate Hoey).

    Good to see that the ID Cards Bill has been getting a battering in the lords. Never thought I’d be grateful for the existence of that place…

  3. Just got this from a friend, thought people might be interested:

    Lobby of Harriet Harman MP over the Terrorism Bill.

    No detention without trial.
    Tuesday 31st Jan 2006, 6pm
    Southwark Town Hall, Peckham Rd
    Called by Southwark Stop the War
    Bring placards and banners
    Please circulate

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