Categories: uncategorized
Date: 01 December 2005 11:44:11
I went to see my MP on Saturday at his fortnightly surgery about issues I've outlined over the past few days (see in particular point 2 of nov 30th below). I've never been before. Strangely enough, although I'd done homework before going, so I knew our stances on the issue were in harmony, and despite normally feeling confidence with people in such positions, and even though I knew my stuff and had something important to communicate... i felt quite intimidated before going in. Duh.
He was very positive about the issues I was bringing to him but said he couldn't make speeches or sign EDMs because of being a government whip, but he would write to the foriegn office. He also said he'd like to go there before I even had the chance to ask him. I was pleased in a way that all I had to do was ask him to be more vocal about the issue rather than persuade him of anything, but even so my cynical mind and my near-total lack of knowledge about how our political system works left me feeling like i'd had a nice chat but surely he was just saying things I want to hear.
I'm still not ruling that out, but today a letter came from the house of commons which is a copy of the one he's sent to Jack Straw outlining my concerns and explaining that although he's unable to sign EDM 983, "Nevertheless I should be grateful if you could give the Government's response to the details of EDM 983, and give further details of what steps the Government is taking to put pressure on the Israeli government in relation to the so-called security wall or separation barrier".
So-called. Good man. I thought it was a good letter, and done in half a week too. At the very least, my interest and concern has been heard and registered in government. I'm pleased about that.