Writing to my MP - LIZ KENDALL

Hi Community

I know the MODS are busy reassuring us all and creating the most informative content possible - so I’ll try to make this short!

I’ve been drafting a letter/email to my MP Liz Kendall, as I am totally devastated at her announcement and have many points to counter!

BUT I now have a huge concern about sending it after reading over the advice on the B&W news. I have kept it as polite as possible, but the length is around 13 pages long - so it is not brief at all.

I have included personal experience, references, data and legal context to support my statements throughout (with thanks to some of your updates)! This however is making it really difficult to know what to take out of it. I feel reluctant to take anything out as it all feels relevant, and it’s the only thing I can think of doing to make my tiny voice heard.

The letter currently has several sections:

Introduction
Consultation issues and facts
Facts and issues around Labour rushing through unfair cuts
Facts and issues around Labour ignoring the causes of poor health in young people/our society
The real barriers disabled workers face, facts and my lived experience
Facts and calls to action on employer discrimination and accountability
Facts and issues on Access to Work
NHS crisis and knock on effect to society, especially the disabled.
Facts, issues and call to action on carers, with my disabled mothers lived experience as well as mine (unpaid carer)
Facts around the DWP’s unfair and cruel assessment process
Economy facts and issues, call to action for tax avoidance and wealth tax
Facts and discussion on why Labour must answer for these policies with closing requests.

It is pretty well organised (and each area is sub headed with easy to read formatting) , but at 13 pages long even I can acknowledge it seems abit much. I’m not sure it would even be read in its entirety but have signed all the petitions I can . I’m up for any opinions or advice. Should I just send it regardless or find a way to really streamline it back? What would you take out/prioritise?

I truly wish I had the capacity to visit her and her team at her office, especially as me and my disabled mother are her very local constituents! Even if we’re not immediately affected - we know others who will be and there is always the chance that it will affect us eventually too. Always amazes me that people, especially those in parliament act like they aren’t one accident or trauma away from being disabled themselves! I have surgery booked in next week and my mum had her first ever PIP assessment today, so I am highly triggered and abit manic, so would really appreciate any advice!

Giving thanks for you all!

Thank you Source44.

Just brilliant you are doing this..I say send as is...and there will be other people you can send this to also..Plus it is important that you are expressing your views, and your feelings and knowledge for YOU. Well done!

Hello Source 44,

More power to you - don't edit your letter at all; let it be seen to be a genuine, heartfelt plea in the same way as your forum post. Let's hope Ms. Kendall's staff are prepared to receive many such letters - they must be expecting them!

Best wishes,

Wendy Woo

I live in a tory stronghold, so no point contacting him, as he probably thinks the proposals are too soft, sent an e-mail to my nearest labour MP, and told him ii had been a lifelong labour voter, although I have voted lib/Dem to get the Tories out in the past, told him my thoughts and said he must vote with his heart and not just tow the party line, agreed there should be some reforms, but labour are being cruel, which I associate with the Tories, said I will never vote labour again and pointed out that this will be the case up and down the country, of course many voters will agree with it, anyway got an email saying he can't reply to me because I am not in his area, first time I have contacted an MP, told him it is now a choice between tory 1 or tory mark 2, felt better for getting off my chest if nothing else