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

[hoiho.livejournal.com]

Don't forget to feed this info back to http://theyworkforyou.com and also to your MP, so she knows you've done so!

[zotz]

I don't know who your MP is or what her own views on the subject are, but certainly my sister doesn't like sites like theyworkforyou forwarding messages - she'd rather get a direct email to her official email address, which she lists on her website. That would be far more likely to get a quick response. I think it turns up at her end looking a bit odd and harder to tell from the rest.

Actually, she has quite pronounced views on how poorly lobbying and lobbying campaigns can be. Sometimes it's clear that a number of people are against something, but it's not at all clear what it is, in detail, that they don't like about it.

[ringbark.livejournal.com]

If I send an email, I expect a reply by email.

If I send a letter, I expect a reply by letter.

If I telephone, I expect a telephone call response.

Ditto for Twitter, text messages, Facebook comments, faxes, messages in bottles etc.
If for any reason I need a reply by a different channel, I will make this clear in my original message.

[moomin-puffin.livejournal.com]

It does seem a bit rubbish to not use email. Having said that you are more likely to get a reasonable response if you send a postal letter. Much less stuff is done by snail mail now so when they receive a physical letter it registers on their radar to a greater extent (maybe not everyone but for a lot of these folks)

[ebee.livejournal.com]

My step mum is her constituancy sys admin. :-( no really. Do you need a better answer?!

[condign.livejournal.com]

Hmm... when I worked in constituent mail (US, not UK), I dreaded the idea that congressmen would start "replying" to emails, simply because the volume was so high. I pity folks working nowadays, if they are replying.

Echoing zotz above, I can see why something like TWFY could cause annoyance for any kind of case-tracking.

[ar-boblad.livejournal.com]

I've used TWFY the once, and got a physical letter in reply (suprisingly quickly too). Because my experience was positive I'd now use TWFY again next time rather than considering looking for a different means of contact for my MP. If my MP in fact hates TWFY then he's scored an own goal I guess, but in his position I'd love getting the meta-information that comes from which communication channel the consituent in question is using. Plus having a bunch of stuff coming through the same channel in a somewhat standard format must make things easier for his office administration.

Still, an option on TWFY to say you'd rather get a email response (or not) would be a bonus.

[john-the-hat.livejournal.com]

Kirsty recently wrote to her MP complaining about the new equalities minister having a voting record which indicates she opposes any kind of equal rights.

She got a "we have noted your opinions" one line letter back from a secretary...