MP doesn't want constituents to email him

Tory MP, Dominic Rabb has complained about campaign group 38 Degrees facilitating constituents sending emails to him.  The poor inundated soul asks his constituents not to email him.  He doesn't want his email address published anywhere and says that "My approach is to ask those with a problem or issue they want me to take up to write in, so I have full details and can check they are constituents (it is a protocol that you do not take up the case of other MPs' constituents.)"

The 38 Degrees system does this preliminary check for Mr Raab - and I spent ages when first elected encouraging people to use email as it made dealing with casework more efficient.

You can read 38 degrees side of the story at http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2010/08/09/dominic-raab-tells-constituents-dont-email-me.


You can read Dominic Rabb's comments at http://www.dominicraab.com/dom_s_blog.html and you can email Dominic Raab on dominic.raab.mp@parliament.uk - I publish it here as a public service as it's not published on the House of Commons website or Mr Raab's own website.

Perhaps it's having 58% share of the vote that engenders arrogance.  An excellent argument against any system that makes "safe seats".

Trump land grab

On Tuesday at Menie, large machinery was used to clear fishing nets and other equipment from the land and a fence was erected.  However Michael Forbes, whose family home is threatened by compulsory purchase, has title deeds showing the land belongs to him. 

The Forbes family are shocked and angry.  Trump's agent called on them to confirm the land boundaries and Michael Forbes showed his title deeds.  He was assured that all was well.  But now it appears that the Trump Organisation have simply decided to clear and occupy this parcel of land.

I called on the Forbes family yesterday.  Estate security had a vehicle on the track to Michael Forbes house and when I and a few others walked to the disputed land, we were followed by Estate security in their vehicles.  When standing on the disputed land we were asked to leave with the security guard claiming it was a construction area.   It clearly was not.

Ten days ago the water supply was cut off to Mill of Menie, the home of Mike and Sheila Forbes, and Paradise, the home of Mike's 85 year old mother Molly.  The supply has just been restored. 

Ten days to restore a water supply is disgraceful and I understand that the estate did not even attempt to supply water until Saturday.   This inaction and the continuing surveillance of the Forbes family must feel like part of a campaign to intimidate them into leaving their home.  I totally understand why the Forbes family are angry but I know they are determined not to be bullied.

But they will need help to defend their property and homes against Trump with his deep pockets.  Layers cost money.