MY most recent constituent’s letter to Jesse Norman as my re-elected MP focuses predominantly on Department for Work and Pensions matters.

I wrote my MP that he is “metaphorically a ‘family man with very large [electoral] family’ in the form of a political representative and ‘good, attentive listener’”, and went on to say: “Thus, in the wake of your re-election, my letter congratulating you and your team was a confirmation of myself as a member of your parliamentary constituency ‘family’ at the start of a new electoral period, ready and willing to engage. It comes as no surprise to me that your July 18 Hereford Times response to my July 11 letter would go on to say:

“All too often, politicians today seek to create and then exploit waves of public anger for their own purposes, using social media to target, label and discredit their opponents.

“This obliterates – indeed it is designed to obliterate – detail, context and mutual understanding. It increases political volatility, raises false hopes and undermines public trust. At its worst, it can fuel an atmosphere of personal abuse and even potentially personal violence, as we have seen.”

Those points are well-evidenced by the first online comment in response to the letter.

ALSO READ:

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

The commentator demanded that Jesse give 101 per cent to ‘the community’ toward restoring people’s faith in MPs. Constituents writing their MP can perhaps help better inform parliament as to their situations and the workings of government departments than unelected senior civil servants.

ALAN WHEATLEY

HEREFORD