Tag: politics

the political process

Yesterday I delivered 200 leaflets for the LibDems while Pete cycled round to the health food shop for mushroom paté and rye flour and blackcurrant juice. Then we had a sossidge sammidge for breakfast/brunch and walked down to town for a No2ID session – planning meeting in the Mission first (one small glass fizzy water consumed), then a street stall for a couple of hours in Hull city centre.

I’ve discovered that if people ask you “what’s it about, then?”, ask them if they want to be part of the database state, and they’ll often stop and talk to you. We got a fair few people to sign the petition too, which was nice, and I provided an apple and rye cake to go with the Greggs tea run.

It transpired that Diana Johnson, our erstwhile Blair Babe MP, was campaigning a couple of hundred yards away, so Carla and I took it upon ourselves to go down and confront her, armed with a stack of leaflets, and (in Carla’s case) wearing a fetching No2ID t-shirt. We handed out literature all around the square, and actually had a chat with Ms Johnson, who thought ID cards were a good idea, seemingly because they would identify benefit cheats in the main. Her hair was a very odd shade too. All good fun.

Got some fruit and veg at the stall in town, popped into T J Hughes to pick up some cheap clothes for the gym – mine are all too big for me now! Pair of joggers in taupe (how stylish), couple of cheap t-shirts, two hand towels, pair of memory foam insoles, came to £14 …

Home to a slump, Dr Who (excellent) and Up, which was utterly charming, and stir fried asparagus.

I have 530 LibDem leaflets to deliver in Bricknell ward today, and a local hustings on Chants Ave tonight. A quiet afternoon, I think, don’t you?

Writing to Them

Dear Diana Johnson,

I’ve just used the excellent writetothem.com site to contact you regarding photography and the Digital Economy Bill.

I was somewhat startled to receive an automatic reply stating that “If you have contacted me with an issue that I will need to take action on you should expect to receive a response within the next 3 – 4 weeks.”

I have only recently moved to Hull (in November 2009), and prior to living here I was in the Woodspring constituency in North Somerset, and represented by Dr Liam Fox.

On the occasions I contacted him, I _always_ received an individual, personal response from his office within 24 hours, and if more information was required it was forthcoming in a far more timely manner than three to four weeks. Despite being shadow Defence Secretary, Dr Fox always found the time to deal with his constituents’ correspondence promptly.

I’m disappointed that you seem unable to do the same.

Yours sincerely,

Mac Jordan

responses

It’s fair to say that our local MP, the illustrious Liam Fox, is not of my persuasion.

I am however, quite pleased with the responses from his office this morning:

firstly:

“Many thanks for your email. It is a most alarming Bill. We will make further representations to the Minister concerned. I am going to send you a copy of a letter by post which we were sent on behalf of another constituent which covers some of the points you mention. We will be in touch again when there is anything to report. As you know, the Bill will be debated on Monday and the Opposition will certainly oppose.

and just now:

” This has been emailed directly to the Minister and to the Shadow Secretary for Justice.”