Archive for the ‘BBC’ Category

Mark Pawsey MP. Who you gonna call? 'Ghostwriters!'

How’s this for politicians engaging with the public? I recently emailed (that’s emailed) my local MP (Mark Pawsey – Con) to express my concern at the proposed BBC funding review announced by Culture Sec Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP (you remember, the multi-millionaire who claimed on expenses for a 1p telephone call). I was happy that my MP’s PA sent me an email reply very quickly asking for my postal address, I assumed this was so he could verify I was actually one of his constituents.

To my horror I received a first class letter in reply. Now remember I said I initially emailed so surely protocol, convention call it what you will suggests you reply in the same form of communication.

Now bear with me becuase it gets worse. When I read the letter it seemed very generic and didn’t counter or answer any of my points. What I neglected to tell my MP was this was part of a campaign by 38 degrees who were actually compiling the responses. Imagine my surprise to see the text of my letter matches almost word for word the response almost all other tory MPs sent to their constituents.

I have since emailed a response to my MP asking him if he has to follow the party line on all matters raised. If so what’s the point in him being there. How about representing your constituents and not your party or Rupert Murdoch? Now my MP is new having only been elected at the last election. I’m sure he’s just finding his feet and got a little worried that he might have to engage with a constituent so I await his response eagerly.

In addition I have submitted two ideas to the government spending challenge website. The first is to stop sending letters when emails would do, and the second is to close the final salary pension scheme for MPs. That should save a few bob.

This haircut has been retired after a lifetime of service

OK it was a few years ago and my hair was very strange but I got on to the BBC website. It was hidden in the local mid-Wales section so I will forgive you for not seeing it before.

Please note I know how to spell ‘written’. Shame the BBC can’t afford a dictionary. Apparently it’s due to the unique way the BBC is funded.

www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/machynlleth/pages/davidoswald.shtml (opens in a new window)