I'm writing a letter, to whomever

[venta]

So, very shortly after the election I used the handy http://theyworkforyou.com mechanism to write to my MP.

She didn't answer, but I thought OK, fair enough, it's barely after the election, her mechanisms for these things probably aren't properly set up yet.

I wrote to her again today, asking her to sign EDM 210. The EDM is only relevant prior to the budget, and I realise I left it a bit late, but thought it was worth a shot - after all, she might get through her email to read mine in time to sign the EDM.

I've just received a reply from someone whom I infer to be a secretary, or similar, which has a twiddly graphic of the House of Commons portcullis and my MP's details on it, and says:

"If you are a constituent wishing to raise concerns or comments with me, please do so in writing (House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA). Please include your full postal address, telephone number and all relevant details."

So... er... my MP won't respond to email?

That's a bit rubbish.

Update I wrote to theyworkforyou, and they tell me that they were using a different email address for Angie Bray, and that they've updated their records now to use the one on her website.

Comments

[alien8.livejournal.com]

it gets sent with my email address from theyworkforyou. My MP got my email address from it and added me to their mailing list!

then they replied to the theyworkforyou email/fax with a proper letter. shameful waste of paper to say 'sorry, no'.

[zotz]

Have you seen how they get displayed at the recipient's end? I haven't, but maybe you're better informed than me. Certainly I get mail from mailing lists with an interesting variety of formats.

[zotz]

. . . and, as before, in my sister's office there's a policy of sending a letter to anyone who includes a full postal address - presumably because constituents are believed to be likely to want a formal reply in those cases.

[venta.livejournal.com]

My previous MP replied to an email by asking for my full postal address so that he could reply by letter. Which seemed somewhat peverse, to me.

[zotz]

It's as much about meeting people's expectations as solving the problem. Sadly. And a lot of people expect to get a nice letter in the post.

[hoiho.livejournal.com]

My MP often telephones me. As did his predecessor.

[sea-of-flame.livejournal.com]

My mother once got a postal reply after emailing on behalf of her local Transition group to ask about various green issues...guess that answered any questions she had about unnecessary use of paper when electronic options were available ;)