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I have been informed numerous times that I am quite an irritating and annoying person.
Pretty much by everyone, especially family and friends. I also have strong opinions on what I believe to be right and wrong. Mix these things together and an interest in politics and how it impinges on my life, prospects and future for my daughter and the result at the moment is one of anger, frustration, despair and a desire to tell my MP what I think.
The constituency I live in (Stockton South) has been, Liberal, Labour, Conservative, Labour and currently Conservative. Probably the definition of a marginal.
For the last 12 years I have watched my country run into the ground, services slashed, NHS, justice, education etc squeezed to within an inch of its life.
I now have an MP I have zero confidence in to do right by his constituents. His voting record is an absolute disgrace. Never rebels, and consistently votes against the interests of a significant number of his constituents. Voted to keep kids hungry, supports the demonising of asylum seekers, defended bullying by the Home Secretary (in anti-bullying week, believe it or not), and so much more.
Communication with my MP
As a result, I contact him quite regularly, however, it is only when an issue really annoys or fills me with despair, and I feel I would be letting myself down if I did not express my feelings.
My MP, Matt Vickers, used to respond to me, generally a cut and paste job that used lots of words but zero substance. Now, all I get is a snarky, sarcastic and frankly Insulting reply (if he bothers). This shows a complete disdain for anyone with a different political stance and he is quite comfortable ignoring valid points and concerns as…he ain’t gonna vote for me, so I don’t care.
Representation
I was under the impression that a Member of Parliament represented everybody, not just the ones who agreed with them.
Apparently, that is not the case anymore.
He has determined that, because I am a Labour voter that the issues I raise do not deserve to be addressed, no matter how relevant they may be.
Is this where we are now?
Does this happen when Conservative constituents contact Labour MPs?
Refusing to engage unless the questioner is from the same political hue is not a good look.
Do we deserve an answer to relevant questions and issues that affect millions of people no matter our politics?
Yes we do!
The need for engagement and unity
Is it any wonder our country is so divided when some of our politicians are so unwilling to engage with different opinions and issues that do not fit their own agenda?
Will we ever get back to a place where politics can be a mechanism for unity rather than engendering division and derision?
At the moment I am sadly resigned to more years of culture wars, point-scoring and shouting matches.
Desperately hoping I am wrong…am I?
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