Early Day Motion started in Parliament regarding street photography [Archive]

wack61

12-03-2008, 18:54

After reading the thread regarding photographers rights to take photos in public places I thought the forum may be interested in Austin Mitchells early day motion to get the law clarified

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35375&SESSION=891
PHOTOGRAPHY IN PUBLIC AREAS
11.03.2008

Mitchell, Austin

That this House is concerned to encourage the spread and enjoyment of photography as the most genuine and accessible people's art; deplores the apparent increase in the number of reported incidents in which the police community support officers (PCSOs) or wardens attempt to stop street photography and order the deletion of photographs or the confiscation of cards, cameras or film on various specious ground such as claims that some public buildings are strategic or sensitive, that children and adults can only be photographed with their written permission, that photographs of police and PCSOs are illegal, or that photographs may be used by terrorists; points out that photography in public places and streets is not only enjoyable but perfectly legal; regrets all such efforts to stop, discourage or inhibit amateur photographers taking pictures in public places, many of which are in any case festooned with closed circuit television cameras; and urges the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers to agree on a photography code for the information of officers on the ground, setting out the public's right to photograph public places thus allowing photographers to enjoy their hobby without officious interference or unjustified suspicion.

Only a handful of MPs have signed it so far, I've written to mine asking her to sign up to it, if we all write to our MP it may gain some weight and put an end to the impending police state.

You can find and email your MP by putting your postcode in the link below

http://www.writetothem.com/

Steep

12-03-2008, 19:16

Can't hurt, it's about time my mp did something useful :)

bigsmiff

12-03-2008, 19:20

Excellent Idea thanks for the link I will get onto it straight away

Baz007

12-03-2008, 19:38

I'll get onto that when I'm back from the gym!

JPS

12-03-2008, 19:41

I heard about this on the local BBC radio station this morning, they said that as a keen photographer himself Mr Mitchell was keen to be able to enjoy his hobby without feeling like a terrorist.

maddog.mark

12-03-2008, 19:57

Done, thanks for posting this.

wack61

12-03-2008, 20:02

something has to be done or photography in the Uk will consist of photos within the boundary of your garden

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/04/london-cops-declare.html

Dave Scanlon

12-03-2008, 20:14

Done :thumbs:

social_lurker

12-03-2008, 22:33

done, although I'm not sure my local tory mp will do much. But we shall see...

poacher

12-03-2008, 22:34

It seems austin mitchell is a photographer aswell, his weblog.

The Photo Gallery is now back online where you can see Austin's passion for photography displayed. Clicking on Out and About in Grimsby will take you to a special album of photos taken by Austin in Grimsby alongside descriptions of and anecdotes on the photos.

http://www.austinmitchell.org/

hotchef23

12-03-2008, 22:43

done, excellent idea hopefully more will sign and stop police making up thier own rules as they go

whiteflyer

12-03-2008, 22:44

Done.

mickhall

12-03-2008, 22:49

done mine

Techno-Geek

13-03-2008, 00:23

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/norman_lamb/north_norfolk

So do i write to him for it, or isn't that the right person. I live the King's Lynn way :)

marko400d

13-03-2008, 00:41

done!

gwh

13-03-2008, 00:44

also done all togs should do it
GWH

JPS

13-03-2008, 00:48

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/norman_lamb/north_norfolk

So do i write to him for it, or isn't that the right person. I live the King's Lynn way :)

No, you write to YOUR local MP

woadrage

13-03-2008, 07:05

Worthy of support.

Unfortunately my MP is Jacqui Smith, who has rarely been known to take interest in anything except re-election and never to have turned up in her constituency except in pursuit of the same.

* Voted moderately against a transparent Parliament.
* Voted moderately for introducing a smoking ban.
* Voted strongly for introducing ID cards.
* Voted strongly for introducing foundation hospitals.
* Voted strongly for introducing student top-up fees.
* Voted strongly for Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
* Voted very strongly for the Iraq war.
* Voted very strongly against an investigation into the Iraq war.
* Voted very strongly for replacing Trident.
* Voted very strongly for the hunting ban.
* Voted very strongly for equal gay rights.

* Hardly ever rebels against their party in this parliament.

It is widely known that if you want something doing in Redditch you have to contact the MP for Bromsgrove, who is a conservative.

dakid

13-03-2008, 07:15

Done

Fred Dawson

13-03-2008, 07:27

Done letter sent to my MP

BenMottram

13-03-2008, 07:55

Done - Jim Knight has another email.

Now to blame him for being late for work :D

B.

bigsteve

13-03-2008, 07:58

All done. I look forward to David Heyes' response. :)

kendo

13-03-2008, 08:12

Done, one e-mail fired off to my MP too.

PsiFox

13-03-2008, 08:31

asked my MP to support, wait and see I guess.

Forbiddenbiker

13-03-2008, 09:10

Looks like the can of worms is open...

So done!

Important we all grab this chance to have a say on this point I think, before another motion that states the opposite is forwarded. :suspect:;)

Jas

13-03-2008, 09:38

Well spotted Wack,

perhaps the most important thread since I have been on this forum for over a year. I'll be writing in as soon as I get home tonight.

yourapocalypse

13-03-2008, 09:45

Good idea, this.

*wonders if Labour Nottingham will pull their fingers out long enough to do something about this*

poacher

13-03-2008, 09:46

Just sent mine

Techno-Geek

13-03-2008, 09:53

No, you write to YOUR local MP

Ahh right okies :thumbs:

poacher

13-03-2008, 09:57

Ahh right okies :thumbs:

Use this link to send a mail to your MP.

http://www.writetothem.com/

jhob

13-03-2008, 10:04

Thanks for alerting us to this. I have written to my local MP Gavin Strang. I'll be interested to see if I get a response.

whiteflyer

13-03-2008, 11:01

Sent an email to my MP at 22:30 yesterday, just checked and he has signed the EDM
well done Lindsay Hoyle, Lets hope his dad gets involved too, Lord Hoyle

Anthony.Ralph

13-03-2008, 11:18

Just sent an email to John Bercow (MP for Buckingham). Although he is a Tory, he is normally very responsive to his constituents - so we shall see.

Anthony.

superstat

13-03-2008, 11:33

Done.....doesn't it feel good....trying to do something about it...

Beardedmonkey

13-03-2008, 12:34

Would love to, but it would seem that lil' Georgie Osborne doesn't want to play ball by giving his details to that site! (too important now that he's shadow chancellor?) :shake:

I'll have to track him down by other means! :bat: :nuts:

Ha! Found him and an e-mail has been sent. I'm not holding my breath though!

Mart61

13-03-2008, 13:06

Done!

reddeathdrinker

13-03-2008, 13:12

Just sent mine too :)

Marcel

13-03-2008, 13:26

Do any of you have an example of what to write?

poacher

13-03-2008, 13:29

Do any of you have an example of what to write?

This is what I wrote to my MP

I am asking if you would back austin mitchell`s early day motion,photography in in public areas, there is a lot of problems with peoplebeing asked,told, to delete their photos because of terrorism, notallowed to take street photos etc. mostly by pcso`s and street wardens.We need to clarify the law.

Adamski

13-03-2008, 13:33

Done.

Mart61

13-03-2008, 13:34

Well, within minutes of sending my email directly to my MP (Michael Gove for Surrey Heath), both he and his researcher responded and said they would look into the issue.

Fingers crossed and hope he signs.

Give them their dues *** - they are on the ball...

:D

NathanJT

13-03-2008, 14:07

Done, but then as my MP is Labour I doubt I'll hear anything back (which AFAIK is actually a lgal requirement).

mattyh

13-03-2008, 14:20

Duly done.

This should be a sticky :rules:

Marcel

13-03-2008, 14:21

Done.......

This is what I wrote

I would like draw your attention to a recent Early Day Motion (EDM 1155) proposed by the MP Austin Mitchell, entitled "Photography in Public Areas".

As an amateur photographer, I am deeply concerned that we are heading down a slippery slope, where in the innocent pursuit of our hobby, we are often unfairly questioned and pursued with suspicion by those in authority, in an attempt to stop us taking photographs where it is perfectly legal to do so.

I believe this is not only due to an increasing fear, but mainly due to a lack of coherent and specific information regarding the laws surrounding photography in public places.

I would therefore be grateful if you could review, and put your signature to, this particular Early Day Motion.

groovyf

13-03-2008, 15:18

Done!

captain jack

13-03-2008, 15:20

All done, great idea, fed up of no mark officials getting the law all wrong and depriving law abiding citizens of their rights & in some cases photographic equipment.
I'll lash em to the mast & have em keelhauled":clap:

Capt'n

dundiggin

13-03-2008, 15:50

Contacted my MP too.

I like Marcel's form of words (above). Mine wasn't quite as eloquent, but I played on the fact that both photographic tourism and commercial photography are economically important.

hepburn

13-03-2008, 16:05

Also sent mine!

robmiller

13-03-2008, 16:18

Done.......

This is what I wrote

I would like to point out, that your use, of the humble comma, borders on, the extreme.

:exit:

bigsteve

13-03-2008, 16:48

For the record...

"Steve
Thanks for drawing this issue to my attention. I can well understand your concerns and I am glad to hear that Austin Mitchell has put down this Early Day Motion. I will ask for my name to be added to it as soon as possible.

David Heyes MP"

:thumbs: Nice one, Mr. Heyes!

mickhall

13-03-2008, 17:36

just got a reply from my mp

Thanks for your email. As an amateur snapper myself, I am very happy to
sign Austin's EDM. It does seem odd that in London we are supposedly
caught by CCTV 400 times a day but still photography is restricted in
this way. Charlotte Atkins

doozie

13-03-2008, 17:41

Sorted, :thumbs:

Matt Charlton

13-03-2008, 17:47

Sent to Gerry Sutcliffe, Bradford South MP

purpleclouds

13-03-2008, 18:12

Sent to Ian Stewart, Eccles (Manchester) :)

woadrage

13-03-2008, 18:43

Emailed Julie Kirkbridge, MP for Bromsgrove. It seems she has an interest in cultural and media matters so this may be of interest to her.

This is what I wrote:

Dear Ms Kirkbride

My partner, xxxxxxx, has contacted you on a number of occasions relating to cultural matters in Redditch, particularly the theatre there.

I would like to draw your attention to an Early Day Motion entitled "Photography in Public Places", tabled by Austin Mitchell, and invite you to put your name to it in support, especially as I understand that you have taken an interest generally in cultural and media-related matters and asked questions on them on many occasions. The text of the EDM is here and pasted below:

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35375&SESSION=891

"EDM 1155

PHOTOGRAPHY IN PUBLIC AREAS
11.03.2008

Mitchell, Austin

That this House is concerned to encourage the spread and enjoyment of photography as the most genuine and accessible people's art; deplores the apparent increase in the number of reported incidents in which the police, police community support officers (PCSOs) or wardens attempt to stop street photography and order the deletion of photographs or the confiscation of cards, cameras or film on various specious ground such as claims that some public buildings are strategic or sensitive, that children and adults can only be photographed with their written permission, that photographs of police and PCSOs are illegal, or that photographs may be used by terrorists; points out that photography in public places and streets is not only enjoyable but perfectly legal; regrets all such efforts to stop, discourage or inhibit amateur photographers taking pictures in public places, many of which are in any case festooned with closed circuit television cameras; and urges the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers to agree on a photography code for the information of officers on the ground, setting out the public's right to photograph public places thus allowing photographers to enjoy their hobby without officious interference or unjustified suspicion."

I am myself an amateur photographer, and although I have not personally encountered the problems cited by Mr Mitchell in his EDM (I have done little photography in urban places where the sorts of problems cited seem to arise) I am in contact with a number of photographers who have been on the receiving end of officious and busybody-like behaviour in public places, both from officials and from members of the public. There seems to be a growing phenomenon of people going about perfectly lawful activities being accosted, and even assaulted (an amateur photographer was recently punched in the face by a man on the London Underground who objected to the photographer taking photographs of the escalator on which he was riding in one station) for a number and variety of reasons - most of which seem to stem from ignorance of the law and a growing intolerance by a small segment of the population to an entirely legal activity.

The UK has a long and proud tradition in photography, starting with the work of Fox Talbot and the production of the first paper negative in 1835 (http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/history/talbot.htm), and is home to the world's oldest extant photographic society (Leeds, founded in 1852). Photography provides employment for many British people and enjoyment for many more and is part of our cultural history and heritage.

Please consider adding your name to the EDM as there is a danger that this freedom and lawful activity in a public place is coming under tacit and encroaching threat.

Thank you and kind regards

hairy

13-03-2008, 18:58

Mark Lancaster, for MK, has just received one :thumbs:

Copied Marcel's words. So eloquently put :clap:

dakid

13-03-2008, 23:31

My local MP, Ed Vaizey (Wantage) has agreed to sign it as well, after I mailed him about it :)

I'm with Marcel on the commas though .... only disagree with one of his :D

Keltic Ice Man

13-03-2008, 23:56

Sent to MP for Carlisle, Thanks for the words Marcel :)

Techno-Geek

14-03-2008, 00:04

What sort of things can i write? I have looked over what some of you have wrote and it doesn't all add up for me :) Not saying it is wrong, just i just can't word things like this correntlly :thumbs:

Tony

specialman

14-03-2008, 00:10

E-mailed mine, hopefully he'll take time to read thoroughly and digest.

MichaelPlace

14-03-2008, 00:15

Rt Hon Greg Knight - for East Yorkshire, has Mail

Dear Rt Hon Greg Knight,

As an amateur photographer I feel strongly about the increasing pressure on photographers to avoid public areas through continued harassment by over zealous PCs; PCSOs; Security staff and members of the public who are ignorant of the laws regarding public photography.

This is an enjoyable past time and even gainful employment for a great number of people in this country. Almost on a daily basis there are stories of photographers who have been forced to delete their photos or hand over their film just because they were taking photographs in a public place.

"Street Photography" is a perfectly legal activity and as my local Member of Parliament I urge you to join your colleagues and sign the early day motion 1155.

More information can be found here: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35375&SESSION=891

I hope you feel you can support this cause and try to end some of the unhelpful hysteria surrounding it,

..........................
Michael Place
.........................

Not by best work but it's late and I should be doing Uni work

I doubt his name will be added to the list but who knows

birdy961

14-03-2008, 08:58

Well spotted :thumbs:

have written to my MP, lets hope he signs it

yourapocalypse

14-03-2008, 09:33

I've hit up Alan Simpson (Nottingham), let's see what happens :)

MichaelPlace

14-03-2008, 11:10

I got a reply from his personal secretary wanting my snail mail address so he can write to me.

Considering it's me and thee who pay for his stationary, stamps and secretary I dont see why he can't email me, cheaper for us all!

yoby

14-03-2008, 12:03

Castle Point's MP Bob Spink responded within the hour (or his good lady wife has on his behalf). Quite pleased about the response as well....

Dear Dave,
Many thanks for your email and I hope I find you well.
Bob was one of the first people to sign support for this EDM, and he did so on my advice actually, so I am pleased to respond to your letter very positively
Please let me know if we can ever be of any further help on this or any other matter.
Very best wishes and thanks again for your email.

Janet

Secretary
Dr Bob Spink MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

Unfortunately it seems that Bob has resigned from the Conservative Party, and may therefore not be the MP for Castle Point much longer. Will be a shame as he's been fairly good for us over the years.

Jimmy_Lemon

14-03-2008, 12:07

Sent one off to my local MP too! Pretty much copy and pasted Marcel's as it was so well written :p

wack61

14-03-2008, 14:35

I just seem to have been added to my MPs junk mail list

mobilevirgin

14-03-2008, 14:45

When I looked yesterday there were 18 MPs names on the list who had signed. Today, its up to 23. So this campaign is having some success.

I emailed my MP (Maria Eagle) yesterday. No response so far.

groovyf

14-03-2008, 14:53

No response from my MP (Linda Riordan) yet either.

Marcel

14-03-2008, 14:55

Well my MP hasn't put his moniker on it yet, nor have I had a reply.

Steep

14-03-2008, 15:22

Ditto

birdy961

14-03-2008, 15:43

Double ditto :(

PsiFox

14-03-2008, 15:50

Me ditto three :(

poacher

14-03-2008, 17:35

Neither has my MP answered my mail or signed.

Adam

14-03-2008, 18:29

I wonder if my MP has a computer...

Jimmy_Lemon

14-03-2008, 18:34

Only emailed mine 6 hours ago, but no reply or signature yet

Col_M

14-03-2008, 19:04

Done, Linda Gillroy has an email from me.
Even though I'm in Prague at the moment I'm still registered to vote back home :)

MichaelPlace

14-03-2008, 19:31

I wonder if my MP has a computer...

He can surely put it on his expenses so even if it just sits there and looks good I'm sure your MP will have one...

mattyh

14-03-2008, 19:57

My MP hasn't signed or even responed. Lazy *******. Guess they're only interested if they can get something out of it for themselves ;)

stonemason

14-03-2008, 20:18

Very serious issue, lets hope we can make them see sense. My thanks to wack61 for bringing it to our attention.

Hammerhead64

14-03-2008, 21:45

Ok, here's my request to my MP.

Dear Mark Francois,

As a keen amateur photographer I have been worried about the increase in confusion and misinterpretation of the laws surrounding public/street photography in the UK.

I have heard firsthand of equally keen amateurs being told they are not to photograph certain public areas/buildings for reasons of security, even when the areas are constantly covered by CCTV and it is perfectly legal to do so. Whilst I appreciate that in the current security climate it is important to be vigilant I believe the situations surrounding this matter are mainly due to a lack of understanding of the laws and an unfounded/irrational fear.

I feel that this enjoyable and rewarding pastime for many others and myself is under threat. I would therefore like to draw your attention to a recent Early Day Motion (EDM 1155) proposed by the MP Austin Mitchell, entitled "Photography in Public Areas" and kindly request that you review this and hopefully add your support to this by adding your signature.

:help:Come on all you viewers of this thread (over 1100) get writing to your MP's. Don't sit there thinking that banning of photography in public places will never happen. Take action to make sure it doesn't. If an MP thinks there might be some election votes to be had in banning it.....they will probably try.

bradkb

15-03-2008, 09:03

Just emailed my MP, he does seem to be quite good over the years, so fingers crossed it will be another to the list.

tafflade

15-03-2008, 09:15

David Laws had a mail of me a few days ago, I had (what I presume to be) an automated response but as of yet his name is not on the EDM and he hasn't replied in person :thinking:

Bobby Canon

16-03-2008, 20:04

I have sent this to Ashok Kumar today. I am keen to see what his response will be.....if any. There is also this to use.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/photographylaw/

hairy

16-03-2008, 20:14

My MP hasn't responded yet, or signed :razz:
Just signed the petition :thumbs:

MichaelPlace

17-03-2008, 11:28

just signed petition too

yourapocalypse

17-03-2008, 11:52

Nothing from Nottingham yet, I'd like to pretend I was surprised.

17-03-2008, 13:05

Just emailed Mark Simmonds (MP for Boston) and got an immediate auto response that implies a further personal response. We shall see.

Thank you for pointing this out :thumbs:

If you haven't got an email reply from your MP yet, why not give them a tinkle on the old Dogandbone :shrug:

marko400d

17-03-2008, 14:21

no reply from my MP Jacqui Lait MP, have just emailed her again in the hope she may do something....

CraigF

17-03-2008, 14:30

I have emailed John Reid and i look forward to his reply based on the below.

Voted strongly for introducing ID cards. votes, speeches
Voted very strongly for Labour's anti-terrorism laws. votes, speeches

Going by that he should actually be supporting the Police etc, in their crusade against Photographers.

Snakedance

17-03-2008, 14:53

I've also emailed my local MP asking him to put his name on the motion. Will be interesting to see if he does or not :)

Marcel

17-03-2008, 14:54

Still no reply or acknowledgement here (Save for the autoreponse)

Jimmy_Lemon

17-03-2008, 14:58

I didnt even get an autoresponse from mine :(

Marcel

17-03-2008, 15:05

I think my autoresponse was from the site, rather than the MP.

Jimmy_Lemon

17-03-2008, 15:09

Ok - crazy - but I just got a response :D

Apparently my MP knows the MP who submitted this Early Day Motion quite well :)

madferrit

17-03-2008, 15:28

Just emailed my MP, Gareth Thomas. I think he'd support this going by his activity in the commons over recent issues. :thumbs:

Snakedance

17-03-2008, 15:36

I've just been checking out the voting history of my MP and I'll be very surprised if he puts his name to the motion...

Voted strongly against a transparent Parliament.
Voted very strongly for the Iraq war.
Voted very strongly against an investigation into the Iraq war.
Voted very strongly for Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
Voted very strongly for replacing Trident.
Voted strongly for introducing ID cards.
Voted very strongly for introducing student top-up fees.

Somehow I think that he will see photography in public spaces as a national security risk...

superstat

17-03-2008, 15:37

Well my MP hasn't put his moniker on it yet, nor have I had a reply.

ditto

Jimmy_Lemon

17-03-2008, 15:44

marko400d

17-03-2008, 15:56

Steep

17-03-2008, 16:24

5 days and no new signatures, still at 23 :(

Anthony.Ralph

17-03-2008, 16:26

just got a response from my 2nd email:-

"Thank you for your email to Mrs Lait.
A letter dated 17th March (in reply to your original email dated 13th
March) should you with you shortly, in which Mrs Lait has taken up the
matter.
I am sure you will appreciate that she receives a high volume of
correspondence and we aim to deal with all enquiries as soon as humanly
possible"

oh my heart bleeds for these poor overworked mp's
i'll let you know her response when i get the letter.....

To be fair, email went out on Thursday and you have a response on Monday... not unreasonable. :)

Anthony.

PS. Mr. Bercow hasn't even acknowledged mine, but shall be patient and see if I do get a reply. :thinking:

marko400d

17-03-2008, 16:31

^^ I haven't had a response yet, just an email to say i will get a response ;)

chrissy

17-03-2008, 17:17

just sent to my MP Lorely Burt (solihull)

SCM

17-03-2008, 23:37

Just sent to my local MP lets see what he says and does.

poacher

17-03-2008, 23:40

still no reply from my MP

PsiFox

18-03-2008, 09:23

Received a letter from the PA to my MP.

He is currently looking into this and will give me a full response shortly, apparently.

poacher

18-03-2008, 09:31

32 have signed now, mine still has`nt responded to my e-mail or signed, I shall remined him of this at the next election when he knocks at my door.

PsiFox

18-03-2008, 09:35

just got a response from my 2nd email:-

"Thank you for your email to Mrs Lait.
A letter dated 17th March (in reply to your original email dated 13th
March) should you with you shortly, in which Mrs Lait has taken up the
matter.
I am sure you will appreciate that she receives a high volume of
correspondence and we aim to deal with all enquiries as soon as humanly
possible"

oh my heart bleeds for these poor overworked mp's
i'll let you know her response when i get the letter.....

Check her expenses from the MP details site and you may find your heart bleeds even more.

mattyh

18-03-2008, 09:54

Nothing from my MP yet.. I thought they HAD to reply?

yourapocalypse

18-03-2008, 10:12

They do, but within a time frame. We're being impatient because this is the internet and we want things done quickly :D

ai3x

18-03-2008, 13:25

Ok done, I do have some hope for David Howarth given his voting record.

Alex

mattyh

18-03-2008, 13:34

They do, but within a time frame. We're being impatient because this is the internet and we want things done quickly :D

:lol: you're probably right :D

kendo

18-03-2008, 13:43

Received an encouraging e-mail from Anne Moffat (East Lothian) the same night as I originally wrote to her. She said she was fully supportive of the motion and intimated that she'd sign up.

I don't see her signature on the list though and its been close to a week. Think I'll remind her tonight.

Verb

18-03-2008, 13:49

Austin Mitchell is my MP, so I can't really ask him to sign it :lol:

The irony is, that if I was to actually take my camera out in Grimsby it would likely be destroyed by the burberry wearing residents that Grimsby seems to have in abundance. So I don't really have to worry about the police

jamesward93

18-03-2008, 13:57

email sent, wait and see what happens from here!

George

18-03-2008, 14:31

email sent to my MP

Hammerhead64

18-03-2008, 19:40

Sent mine on the 14th and still no acknowledgement or response.:razz:

purpleclouds

18-03-2008, 20:13

I think my autoresponse was from the site, rather than the MP.

Nothing from my MP in manchester too.....they must be busy :shrug:

effnik90

18-03-2008, 20:21

mine is also on way

Jimmy_Lemon

18-03-2008, 21:34

Dear Mr Holmes

Just to confirm that Mr Curry has now signed EDM 1155

Yours sincerely

Ann Morris
Assistant to The Rt Hon

:thumbs:

SCM

18-03-2008, 22:06

Got a reply back today from the email i sent last night and my MP agrees so has added his signature to the EDM :D

Marcel

18-03-2008, 22:32

purpleclouds, mine is Ivan Lewis :)

feek

19-03-2008, 07:32

E-Mail sent to local MP-Thanks for flagging this up

poacher

19-03-2008, 07:40

46 MPs have signed now, and still no response to my e-mail or signature from my MP.

CraigF

19-03-2008, 08:17

Count John Reid out.
He does not support EDM's as they have no effect on Legislation.
Also that particular subject is devolved to the Scottish Parliment so it would have to be addressed to my MSP in my case.

groovyf

19-03-2008, 09:00

46 MPs have signed now, and still no response to my e-mail or signature from my MP.

Oooh. That's a big leap since a day or so ago when it was half that number.

hotchef23

19-03-2008, 09:16

no response from my M.P.!!! mailed on 12th so shows he is interested.

that is Mr Martlew M.P. for his constituents in CArlisle!!!!!!!!

will drop him another line and ask why no response.
!!!!!!!!!!!1

George

19-03-2008, 10:53

My one, Willie Rennie in Fife, got my email yesterday and I got a reply this am saying he had signed, good for him!!

PsiFox

19-03-2008, 11:20

Had a letter from my MP today advising me that he has written to the appropriate Government Minister requesting their urgent comments on the matter.

He will advise me in due course.

He has not signed as yet so I have asked him again to do so.

Will report results in due course.

kamion

19-03-2008, 11:53

Have emailed JAMES PAICE, South Cambridgeshire MP.

Got an automated response from JAMES PAICE telling me that the email has been received and will be looked at ASAP.

Though I would like to point out to everyone that the website writetothem.com states:

Use your own words (new window); we block copy and pasted identical messages

So copying and pasting Marcel's email might have triggered them to block your email.

superstat

19-03-2008, 11:58

Kamion

I also emailed JP about a week ago and this morning I got a letter......all very official.....

He cannot sign it as he is a Member of the Opposition Frontbench.....but he is going to raise the points of the EDM with the Home Office Minister and then reply when he has an answer! ooooooooooooooo

nictry

19-03-2008, 12:11

Just completed it for my local MP (Julian Brazier in Canterbury), will see if he responds

kamion

19-03-2008, 12:15

He cannot sign it as he is a Member of the Opposition Frontbench.....

What does that mean? :thinking:

superstat

19-03-2008, 12:24

Apparently EDM's are only for Backbenchers to sign.....

So beings as he sits on the front bench he can't...

marko400d

19-03-2008, 12:53

still no response from the right honourable Jacqui Lait, she must be thniking long and hard........

NathanJT

19-03-2008, 13:24

Got a reply from my MP (Mark Todd) the next day. It was a covering letter with a copy of several bits of what seem to be supporting information attached. These covered the implication of publication and also of taking photos of children in public. He agreed to sign it and I see he has now done so.

Matt Charlton

19-03-2008, 15:52

I got a reply from my mp today :D

Dear Matthew

Thank you for contacting me recently about EDM 1155, Photography in Public Areas. As a government minister I am not permitted to sign EDMs but will certainly encourage my backbench colleagues to do so. It is important that we do not discourage people from participating in this wonderful art form. I have myself dealt with a couple of cases where my constituents have been stopped and questioned whilst taking photographs in public.

I note from your own website that you are a keen photographer. Although my own photography skills leave something to be desired I do recognise the great pleasure it can give people. Whilst redeveloping my website last year we decided to include a community gallery facility to encourage my constituents to send in their photographs of Bradford. Although it’s still in its infancy you can see the gallery at http://www.gerrysutcliffe.org.uk/community_gallery.asp

If you would like to submit a photographs please e-mail it to me.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.

Col_M

19-03-2008, 18:28

My MP Linda Gilroy should be signing it very soon as she agrees completely. She is a photographer herself and mentioned that she has had 3 winning entries in the house of commons photography competition.

Good on her :)

poacher

20-03-2008, 07:23

62 MPs have signed it now, and still no response to my e-mail or signature from my MP, that`s a week now.

Anthony.Ralph

20-03-2008, 10:08

still no response from the right honourable Jacqui Lait, she must be thniking long and hard........

I wonder if my Mr. Bercow is even thinking...

you will recall I suggested patience a while back: wish I hadn't now... :thumbsdown:

Anthony.

dundiggin

20-03-2008, 15:04

It's encouraging that there are over 60 signatures. I posted on ephotozine to raise awareness there. That seems to have generated a bit of positive action and a lot of tangential thinking about government policy on ID cards, etc.

Snakedance

20-03-2008, 15:05

How many votes does an Early Day Motion such as this one need before it can progress further?

Toothie

20-03-2008, 15:20

Voted very strongly for Labour's anti-terrorism laws.

not sure my mp will be much help but worth a try:shrug:

marko400d

20-03-2008, 17:13

I have reponse from my MP
She doesn't believe in EDM's but will have a word with the minister and get back to me...
Strange response, thought it would be just easier to sign it?!

mobilevirgin

20-03-2008, 17:50

How many votes does an Early Day Motion such as this one need before it can progress further?

See here. Everything you need to know about EDM's but were too afraid to ask (http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/p03.pdf).

woadrage

20-03-2008, 18:00

I'm really pleased to see that Julie Kirkbride has signed the EDM. I've not had an email from her about it but will drop her another email and thank her for supporting it.

hairy

21-03-2008, 17:14

Just had a response from Mark Lancaster:

Dear Keith,

I am sorry to be slow to reply, I'm happy tomsign this on yours and others behalf next week.

kind regards

Mark

:thumbs: His spelling error by the way; not mine :D

Bobby Canon

22-03-2008, 10:20

Received reply today from Dr. Ashok Kumar M.P. for Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland, on House of Commons headed paper. He states that he agrees with my sentiments and intends signing EDM 1155 when he returns to the House after the Easter weekend.

Forbiddenbiker

22-03-2008, 11:25

74 signed up now.

:woot::woot:

:clap:

we need to double that. ;)

chrissy

22-03-2008, 11:29

how do i find out who has signed ??

hairy

22-03-2008, 11:32

Click this link

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35375&SESSION=891

chrissy

22-03-2008, 11:35

Click this link

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35375&SESSION=891

thanks :thumbs::thumbs:

nictry

22-03-2008, 11:52

Just had a nice letter from Julian Brazier MP but as someone else stated as he is a frontbencher he cannot sign EDMs but to paraphrase his letter he states '.... it is important that people should be allowed to pursue their hobby' No firm action offered though which is a bit of a shame, nice to get a letter from the House of Commons this morning though :)

pxl8

22-03-2008, 12:23

I got a letter this morning from my MP saying he's signed it too :thumbs:

purpleclouds

22-03-2008, 19:41

I got a letter this morning from the House of Commons....which was quite scary...until I opened it and had a personally written and signed letter from my MP Ian Stewart! He said he had previously been unaware however was more than happy to sign and support the cause! :) What a nice chap!

wack61

23-03-2008, 21:07

Here's an interesting video on how badly informed PCSO's are and how some of them treat the public going about their lawful business

http://2point8.whileseated.org/2008/03/19/currenttv-on-uk-photo-restrictions/

Forbiddenbiker

24-03-2008, 07:47

:D Thats a goodun, loving the way camera man endeavors to get his point across (whilst constantly filming) and eventually the self appointed sheriff and his side kick give up with the 'huf' . :lol:

brilliant. :clap:

pxl8

24-03-2008, 12:36

Are we wasting our time with this? Have a read of this:

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/p03.pdf

reddeathdrinker

24-03-2008, 12:39

Got a letter back from my MP saying how delighted she was to sign :)

gibbo

24-03-2008, 13:56

Done..... letter sent :thumbs:

awaiting reply :|

gibbo

24-03-2008, 13:58

Are we wasting our time with this? Have a read of this:

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/p03.pdf

Hopefully not :nono:

gibbo

24-03-2008, 13:59

Are we wasting our time with this? Have a read of this:

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/p03.pdf

Hopefully not :nono:
If we get enough people behind this
(sorry about the 2 messages computer locked up)

chrissy

24-03-2008, 14:02

had a letter from House of Commons from my MP saying she will look into the matter after the easter break

TW25

24-03-2008, 22:41

Done mine, thanks for the link.

captain jack

25-03-2008, 08:56

Still waiting for a reply from my MP Dereck Twigg, he has not yet signed the EDM, he must be very busy working extremely hard to make our town a much better place to live in.

wack61

25-03-2008, 09:00

Still waiting for a reply from my MP Dereck Twigg, he has not yet signed the EDM, he must be very busy working extremely hard to make our town a much better place to live in.

or out shopping

purpleclouds

25-03-2008, 09:37

or out shopping

with his 'expenses' plastic!

mattyh

25-03-2008, 09:38

@ John Lewis :p

reddeathdrinker

25-03-2008, 12:42

@ John Lewis :p

Harsh....

.

.

.

.

.

But fair!:bat:

jhob

25-03-2008, 12:58

Whilst my MP, Gavin Strang, has failed to reply to me, he has at least found time to sign the EDM - result!

tafflade

25-03-2008, 13:15

I received a letter through the post from my MP David laws saying he's signed and happy to do so :thumbs:

wack61

25-03-2008, 18:25

I received a letter from the house of commons today, my MP states that she can't sign EDMs as she's a parliamentary private secretary but she does have greater access to ministers and will ensure my views on this matter are passed to the minister concerned

bigsmiff

25-03-2008, 22:09

just got back from holiday and had received a letter from my MP Humphrey Malins who has signed up

mattyh

25-03-2008, 22:11

Still nothing from mine... won't be voting for him come election time ;)

Rockshifter

25-03-2008, 22:27

Done _ Ian Davidson MP has mail !

fraxinus

26-03-2008, 08:15

Very quick response from my MP, Mark Prisk:

Thank you for your email about EDM 1155 and photography in public places.

I appreciate you drawing my attention to this issue, I am not aware that this practice is particularly prevalent, and as such I would not wish to sign the EDM and criticise our police force without knowing more details.

In general, however, I believe it is important that people are aware of what their rights are. You are right that, except in exceptional circumstances, it is not an offence to take photographs in public places, indeed, thousands of people do all through the UK every day.

When there are serious concerns about national security, such as at military airports and power stations, there are provisions for photography being restricted; however, in general Government buildings are not covered. Indeed, the Houses of Parliament must be one of the most photographed buildings in the world and, whilst the Metropolitan police are running an anti-terrorism campaign encouraging the reporting of suspicious behaviour, including photographing sensitive buildings, I am not aware that this has led to any harassment of photographers.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.
Yours sincerely
Mark Prisk MP

So, no luck there but at least he responded. I will send him some examples of press reports and people's presonal experiences, so if you know of any other than those already posted in this thread, please pass them on.

If you haven't writen to yours yet, get on the case!

birdy961

26-03-2008, 09:49

My MP has responded with a very nice letter.

The jist of it reads that basically EDM's hardly ever make it through for debate, and when they do it is very rare that anyone who signed it will actually be there!

What he has done is written to the appropriate minister on my behalf highlighting my concerns, he also enclosed a copy of the letter sent to Meg Hillier MP, Parlimentary Under Secretary of State.

Quite a nice letter and response so we shall see if anything happens:shrug:

shoshone

27-03-2008, 00:10

Just joined TalkPhotograhy tonight, saw this and appreciate this initiative!

Done :thumbs:

Anthony.Ralph

27-03-2008, 15:33

I received a letter from John Bercow today apologising for the delay and saying that he had signed the EDM - and indeed he has!

And there I was thinking that I wasn't going to get a reply. It gives a warm fuzzy feeling doesn't it?

Anthony.

mattyh

27-03-2008, 15:40

^^ Nope... 2 weeks and no word so far

Steep

27-03-2008, 16:01

Nothing from Danny Alexander either.

Dave Scanlon

27-03-2008, 18:01

had a reply from my MP Ed Milliband :thumbs: a nice letter on house of commons notepaper dontcha know
turns out he's a Gov Minister .. I didn't kno :shrug: so can't sign
however he says he's written to Tony McNulty, minister for security, counter terrorism, crime and policing, and will write to me again when he has a response.

so far ... a result :woot:

rikki1q

27-03-2008, 18:13

sent an email to my mp lets hope they get this one into law it would be nice to take pictures around town without feeling like a terrorist

gibbo

28-03-2008, 09:29

Heard nothing so far so I have resent the letter

poacher

28-03-2008, 09:33

Heard nothing so far so I have resent the letter

You`re not alone, I have`nt heard anything either.

Anthony.Ralph

28-03-2008, 09:55

sent an email to my mp lets hope they get this one into law it would be nice to take pictures around town without feeling like a terrorist

I think you misunderstand a couple of things.

Firstly the purpose of an EDM is not part of the process of getting something into law. But secondly and much more importantly, the law already allows you to photograph in public places with certain (very rare) exceptions. Please stop feeling like a terrorist, because you aren't one :)

The EDM system is being used to raise awareness of our existing freedoms in this area - particularly for the Police force and especially in the case of Community Officers who seem somewhat ignorant of our freedom; which they are supposed to protect.

Anthony.

pearce_jj

28-03-2008, 15:44

Anthony.Ralph

28-03-2008, 15:55

Out of interest, would a shop, coffee bar, swimming pool or childrens play centre be public places (in the meaning of being legal to photograph)?

I was told only today that I was not allowed to photograph in a childrens play centre/coffee bar (combined!).

Without knowing the precise locations involved, I can only offer an opinion which is that they could easily be private property and the owners could restrict or deny photography if they wished.

Incidentally, with the current erroneous hysteria whipped up regarding all photographers being paedophiles, I am not surprised you were not allowed to use a camera within the play centre.

Anthony.

malc_ppp

28-03-2008, 20:16

I have two interesting points to add to this discussion.

Firstly, we've all probably seen the 'you cant picture this' video taken at Oxford Circus with the ignorant PCSO? Well, I can 100% confirm that he is still in employment and still trawling along Oxford Street looking for people to harass. I've just seen him on my way home from work!

Secondly, I too wrote to my local MP, Mark Field.

I am lucky (or is that unlucky??) to live in Westminster, a few minutes walk from Oxford Street. This EDM interested me because I am a complete newbie to SLR photography and even now, I choose not to go out and take pictures of the wonderful sights on my doorstep for fear of harassment.

I was expecting a wave of support but infact, he hardly seems bothered. It really gets my goat that the MP of what is one of the most popular places in Europe to practice photography doesn't seem to get the support of its MP.

Here is the complete, unedited reply:

Dear Mr PPP

Thank you very much for your message of 18 March requesting that I signEarly Day Motion 1155, Photography in Public Areas.

I assure you that I am instinctively a libertarian and am generally not in favour of banning things. I share your concerns about the increasing tendency to assume guilt before innocence.

I must confess I personally prefer not to sign too many EDM's as I believe them to bea fairly ineffective way of lobbying the government. Their numbers have exploded since Labour came into power and unfortunately as a consequence their impact has been diminished. Despite having signed EDM's in the past, I believe it is far more effective to make representations directly to the government.

I shall certainly bear your concerns in mind and raise them when appropriate.

Yep, sure you will Mark!

jhob

28-03-2008, 22:11

As already reported, I had noticed that my MP had signed the EDM. Well, today I received a letter from him telling me that he supported it and had signed it so a result there.

captain jack

28-03-2008, 22:37

Have now recieved reply, he says that as a gov.minister he does not sign EDM's, however he has refered it to the justice dept. & tells me that when he gets a reply he will get in touch. I shall post the reply when I get it.

PS I "e" mailed him the "you can't picture this" clip, just to get the point over

Capt'n

wack61

29-03-2008, 18:39

If nothing else we're all making our MPs earn a little bit of their salary

mobilevirgin

29-03-2008, 18:50

Well, this campaign seems to be getting somewhere rather than nowhere. I see there are 99 signatures on the EDM now.

Received a letter from my MP (Maria Eagle) this morning:

"Dear Mr MV

Thanks you for your letter regarding EDM 1155.
blah ... don't sign because I'm a member of the government blah ...

However I have written to the Home Office on your behalf regarding photography in public places.

I hope that you find this helpful and I look forward to contacting you once I have received a response

Yours etc Maria Eagle"

bigsteve

29-03-2008, 19:13

Looks like David Heyes MP from Ashton-Under-Lyne has welched on his promise to me. His signature STILL hasn't appeared on the list.

Marcel

29-03-2008, 19:38

At least you got a promise, I havent even had the decency of a reply.

mattyh

29-03-2008, 19:44

:agree:

john-oh

29-03-2008, 21:21

Done,

Received a very quick reply from my man, in which he refers my concerns to Meg Hillier MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, and asked her to respond to me - I will post any feedback I get.

My MP hasn't signed the EDM.

As an aside : Has anyone contacted Austin Mitchell regarding the support he is getting from this forum ? :clap:

purpleclouds

29-03-2008, 21:54

Plugus Maximus

29-03-2008, 22:12

Done ... better late than never!

Verb

30-03-2008, 09:31

As an aside : Has anyone contacted Austin Mitchell regarding the support he is getting from this forum ? :clap:

I'll pop him an email this evening.

Steep

30-03-2008, 09:56

Woot! no reply from my mp but I see he's signed up :)

Keltic Ice Man

30-03-2008, 12:09

My MP (Eric Martlew) has signed and sent an email reply, so a good result
Allan

john-oh

30-03-2008, 12:40

Received a very quick reply from my man, in which he refers my concerns to Meg Hillier MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, and asked her to respond to me - I will post any feedback I get. My MP hasn't signed the EDM.I have now requested that my MP signs the EDM.

I await a response.

Maybe we could organise a TPF meet at The House of Commons - (hosted by Austin Mitchell :wave: ?), where we could meet our MPs in person ?

Failing that we could always take some pictures and if we get thrown out, it proves the point !

purpleclouds

30-03-2008, 12:45

I have now requested that my MP signs the EDM.

I await a response.

Maybe we could organise a TPF meet at The House of Commons - (hosted by Austin Mitchell :wave: ?), where we could meet our MPs in person ?

Failing that we could always take some pictures and if we get thrown out, it proves the point !

The masses descend on London.....why not?! :D

Beardedmonkey

31-03-2008, 15:00

Finally had a reply from the boy George. Pretty much as expected:

"Thank you for your email about EDM 1155 and photography in public places. I am sorry for the delay in replying to you.

I appreciate you drawing my attention to this issue, I am not aware that this practice is particularly prevalent, and as such I would not wish to sign the EDM and criticise our police force without knowing more details.

In general, however, I believe it is important that people are aware of what their rights are. You are right that, except in exceptional circumstances, it is not an offence to take photographs in public places, indeed, thousands of people do all through the UK every day.

When there are serious concerns about national security, such as at military airports and power stations, there are provisions for photography being restricted; however, in general Government buildings are not covered. Indeed, the Houses of Parliament must be one of the most photographed buildings in the world and, whilst the Metropolitan police are running an anti-terrorism campaign encouraging the reporting of suspicious behaviour, including photographing sensitive buildings, I am not aware that this has led to any harassment of photographers.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.

Yours sincerely

George Osborne MP"

Still, give him credit that he explained his (flawed) reasoning rather than just sending a one line fob-off!

mobilevirgin

31-03-2008, 15:08

I thought the wording of that letter sounded familiar - and indeed it is. See post 177 (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=587476&postcount=177) in this thread.

dundiggin

31-03-2008, 15:11

Turns out my MP is a Minister (I hadn't realised that) - apologised for being unable to sign, but promised to raise concerns with his relevant ministerial colleague.

purpleclouds

31-03-2008, 16:17

I thought the wording of that letter sounded familiar - and indeed it is. See post 177 (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=587476&postcount=177) in this thread.

lazy buggers....

fraxinus

31-03-2008, 19:05

Having received, as I have since discovered, a standard 'form letter' negative response from my MP (Conservative), I have written back to give him some background to the campaign.

I thought the links I've dredged up to send might be useful to all:
19/11/04 - UK Photographers' Rights (http://current.com/items/88856223_yo...t_picture_this)
16/02/07 - EPUK - Npower places injunction on EPUK (http://www.epuk.org/News/472/npower-injunction-on-epuk-member)member covering environmental protest
26/11/07 - EPUK - Plod prevents pics of Postman Pat (http://www.epuk.org/News-snippets/755/plod-prevents-pics-of-postman-pat)
17/12/07 - Amateur Photographer - Police seize films from amateur photographer (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/police_seize_films_from_photo_enthusiast_photograp her_insists_his_street_photography_pics_in_hull_we re_legal_humberside_police_investigate_as_photogra pher_files_complaint_news_169825.html)
02/01/08 - Press Gazette - Photographers claim police are exceeding their powers (http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=39828&c=1)
23/01/08 - Amateur Photographer - Anger at police statement on 'covert' photography (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Police_issue_statement_on_covert_photography_NUJ_b rand_police_action_as_nonsense_news_175462.html)
02/03/08 - EPUK - Birmingham police officer 'forced press photographer to delete images' (http://www.epuk.org/News/818/police-officer-forced-photographer-to-delete-images)
22/03/08 - Times Online - Street photographers fear for their art amid climate of suspicion (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article3574763.ece)
01/03/08 - Metropolitan Police - Counter Terrorism Advertising Campaign Launched (http://www.met.police.uk/campaigns/campaign_ct_2008.htm) and the Poster (http://www.met.police.uk/campaigns/counter_terrorism/ct_camera_2008.pdf) .
01/03/08 - Current.com - You Can't Picture This (http://current.com/items/88856223_yo...t_picture_this) - video of unlawful response by Community Support Officers in London.
27/03/08 - ePhotozine - Photography protest (http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Protest-for-photography)
31/03/08 - National Union of Journalists - Photographers' Case Taken to Scotland Yard (http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=760)
Quote: "The National Union of Journalists want the police to know they can no longer ignore the concerns that photographers and other media members have raised regarding the increasing harassment photographers are facing from some force members."

I've also gone and made myself a T-shirt (http://www.spreadshirt.net/en/GB/T-Shirt-kaufen/Produkte-64/Marketplace/Products/detail/article/6423788)...should anyone want to join in...

Beardedmonkey

01-04-2008, 11:44

I thought the wording of that letter sounded familiar - and indeed it is. See post 177 (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=587476&postcount=177) in this thread.

Cheeky sod. Think I'll e-mail that response back to him!

Still, at least he's confirmed the low opinion I already had of him!! :nuts:

Beardedmonkey

01-04-2008, 11:57

Here's the e-mail I've just sent back to him:

"Mr Osbourne,

I was going to e-mail back to thank you for the considered response to my e-mail, until a friend of mine showed me the reponse he'd received from his MP, Mark Prisk, on March 26th:

Thank you for your email about EDM 1155 and photography in public places.

I appreciate you drawing my attention to this issue, I am not aware that this practice is particularly prevalent, and as such I would not wish to sign the EDM and criticise our police force without knowing more details.

In general, however, I believe it is important that people are aware of what their rights are. You are right that, except in exceptional circumstances, it is not an offence to take photographs in public places, indeed, thousands of people do all through the UK every day.

When there are serious concerns about national security, such as at military airports and power stations, there are provisions for photography being restricted; however, in general Government buildings are not covered. Indeed, the Houses of Parliament must be one of the most photographed buildings in the world and, whilst the Metropolitan police are running an anti-terrorism campaign encouraging the reporting of suspicious behaviour, including photographing sensitive buildings, I am not aware that this has led to any harassment of photographers.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.
Yours sincerely
Mark Prisk MP

Sound familiar?

Glad to see that Mr Osbourne has so much time for his constituents. Be assured that I will give an equal amount of consideration to the prospect of voting for him in the next elections.

Regards,

Beardedmonkey"

:nuts:

mattyh

01-04-2008, 12:42

:lol: Nice response... Least your MP made five minutes 20 seconds to copy and paste an email to you, mine still hasn't bothered :thumbsdown:

hotchef23

01-04-2008, 20:14

finally had reply after much chasing has signed and happy to do so. think i will take as long to vote!!!!!!

mobilevirgin

01-04-2008, 21:44

Here's the e-mail I've just sent back to him:

"Mr Osbourne,

I was going to e-mail back to thank you for the considered response to my e-mail, until a friend of mine showed me the reponse he'd received from his MP, Mark Prisk, on March 26th:

...

Sound familiar?

...

Regards,

Beardedmonkey"

:nuts:

Ha Ha Ha - brilliant :clap::clap:

Do let us know if you get a response.

There was a suggestion further up this thread that someone should tell the press about our little campaign and the effect its had. Its now got 107 signatures which, as I understand the position, is impressive for an EDM.

I still think there would be no harm to be done, if anyone has the required contacts, that the press was alerted. Of course, the story now has a very much more sexy twist to it. :naughty:

pxl8

02-04-2008, 00:33

An idle thought really but what on earth are the police and associated security services going to do on the 13th of April - there might just be one or two photographers about snapping the London marathon (myself included). :shrug:

Of course if I was running it I'd be tempted to team up with someone and run as a Team Terrorist - one of us with explosives strapped to our torso, the other with a DSLR :lol:

hepburn

02-04-2008, 08:16

I thought the wording of that letter sounded familiar - and indeed it is. See post 177 (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=587476&postcount=177) in this thread.

I got the exact same letter back from my MP, Paul Goodman (Con. High Wycombe). He had added a line at the bottom of it asking me to write back if I had information to the contrary, so I did - quoting some links where he could get information on harassment.

I know these guys are busy but I consider the reply to be nothing better than SPAM now. I also forwarded the emails between us to Austin Mitchell.

StewartR

02-04-2008, 08:40

Apparently there are now 113 signatures.

I've just written to Theresa May (Maidenhead). She's normally pretty helpful and communicative. Let's see.

Skydiver69

02-04-2008, 20:55

Done, now to wait and see if I get the same bog-standard response.

hepburn

02-04-2008, 22:22

My MP has now replied, very quickly i might add, saying despite my offering evidence of police harassment of photographers he still will not sign the EDM as it will "devalue" his signature.

Now, on receiving that reply I thought I ought to research his activities a little. It turns out he is an "associate Editor" of a parliamentary "House" magazine. This magazine is currently running a caption competition for a photograph (wait for it) featuring Gordon Brown and a couple of police officers in public on a walkabout! Can you see where this might be going? hehe

So, i'm inviting everyone to follow the links below and submit their best captions here or actually enter the competition. I think it would be terrific if the competition was either deluged (or even won) with comments related to Austin Michell's EDM.

If you want to just view the pic follow this link:

http://www.housemag.co.uk/fileadmin/Caption_images/house-caption.jpg

And if you want the entire competition follow this link:

http://www.housemag.co.uk/competitions.html

I would also be interested to know if anyone else has got a reply from their (probably conservative) MP citing the same reason for not signing.

I would mention, perhaps to his credit, he stated the following in his email "However, I want to take up the points you raise with members of our Home Affairs team, who are at present advising Conservative MPs in general not to sign the EDM in question. There's clearly a case on the evidence you present for the team to withdraw this advice. This course
of action may be more helpful to Austin Mitchell than my signature would be. "

jeangenie

03-04-2008, 13:40

Better late than never, I s'pose, but I've only just read this thread :bonk: Yes, I know it's a sticky - can't make any excuses - more :bonk: :bonk: :bonk:

I've made the point to our MP that in a tourist area like this (the New Forest) the persecution of people taking photographs is the erosion of just one more freedom. Another reason to go abroad for holidays. :(

Perhaps the tourist industry should speak up and support us - what do you think?

Forbiddenbiker

03-04-2008, 18:45

I got a letter today from my MP The Right Hon Stephen Timms.
:woot:
...about a week after the 'did you get a reply from your MP' 'yes/no' email from automated government software I used to send my request.
:thinking:

Hes stated that as a government minister hes unable to sign, but has forwarded my request for his signature and to draw attention to the matter in question to a the MP Tony McNulty at the home office.

He has stated he will send me the reply when he receives it.

Which is nice.

Skydiver69

03-04-2008, 20:29

I received a reply today (less than 24 hours after I contacted him). His reply is as follows

Dear XXXXX,

Thank you for bring this Early Day Motion to my attention. I agree with you and confirm that I have now signed in support of the Motion.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Mates

However upon checking his name is not on the list

Jimmy_Lemon

03-04-2008, 20:33

The list only seems to get updated once a day or something skydiver69 :) had to wait a while before my MPs name appeared.

Magellan

03-04-2008, 21:29

I sent my MP an email two weeks ago, still no reply. Today I recieved an automated email asking if he had replied so I pressed the NO button. He hasn't sighned yet either!
wait till the left wing barsteward knocks on my door again. :bat:

Hammerhead64

03-04-2008, 21:49

Three weeks and still not heard a dicky bird. I'm going to write to our local press and also write again to my MP Mark Francois and ask why I've haven't had any response (either negative or positive). :annoyed:

mattyh

03-04-2008, 21:59

I'm tempted to write something like:

Dear John Grogan.

I would like to thank you for your very reasuring respose to my letter to you recently, which had a matter I felt that my MP would possibly help me out with. Sadly this was not the case, as it has now been three weeks and I have not heard from you.

I wish to reassure you that I will be voting for you at the next election, in the same timescale that you felt it acceptable to write back to me.

For any avoidance of doubt, my tone above was one of sarcasm, you will never get my vote, as you obviously have no concern for those that elected you.

It needs refining, but it gets the point across :D

Steep

04-04-2008, 10:13

Matty phrase it differently, as a question. i.e. "Tell me why I or any other constituent should vote for you when you apparently ignore attempts to contact you?"

If you simply tell him you're not going to vote for he will just think well fu and keep ignoring you as he's not losing anything by it.

mattyh

04-04-2008, 10:14

^^ Yeah I will do, much as I'd just like to just tell him to shove off ;)
:D

dundiggin

04-04-2008, 10:30

As an update, I notice that around 130 MPs have now signed the EDM.

barneyrubble

04-04-2008, 10:40

Have written to my MP - Derek Conway, but forgot to include the used fivers so won't get much of a response :bang::bang::bang:

bradkb

04-04-2008, 23:45

My MP (Paul Clark) has signed, he said a number of his constituents in Medway brought this to his attention and was more than happy to sign.

Marcel

05-04-2008, 09:54

poacher

05-04-2008, 10:03

Well I *finally* got a letter this morning (Which Im upset abotu I wanted to send the reply above about taking as long to vote for them as they did to reply to me :lol: )

The standard "I'm a government minister so can't sign, so promise to pass it onto the relevant person and will reply when he hears back".

I think we should all be chasing up THIS copy paste reply too, as we're all getting promises of further communication ;)

At least you`ve had a response, I have`nt heard anything from my MP, and they have a cheek to come to my house to ask me to vote for them in the local elections, I think tactical voting comes to mind.

hepburn

05-04-2008, 14:56

The standard "I'm a government minister so can't sign, so promise to pass it onto the relevant person and will reply when he hears back".

Ask them to urge their colleagues to sign instead. And if your MP is conservative don't be fobbed off. Their Home Affairs team has been instructing them to not sign the EDM (why???).

Also ask them if they subscribe to the parliamentary in-house magazine "House", as it's running a caption competition featuring a photo of Gordon Brown on public walkabout with a couple of coppers - the very type of photo opportunity the EDM seeks to preserve (amongst others). I posted fuller details of this a little earlier in this thread.

My MP declined to sign. I found out he is a paid associate editor of this magazine and I haven't heard from him since I pointed out the irony of his decision... ;)

wack61

05-04-2008, 23:20

131 have signed so far, I think that's pretty impressive considering most of them will have signed under pressure from their constituents

Hammerhead64

06-04-2008, 12:18

jeangenie

06-04-2008, 15:43

Got a reply - of sorts - from my MP yesterday:

'Thank you for your communication of the 3rd April which will receive attention.'

Not hopeful of good response from him.

Steep

06-04-2008, 18:15

What party are these cloned mps' part of?

Anyone who says the party of the first part gets slapped with a frozen kipper!

captain jack

06-04-2008, 18:29

Just a thought, as london seems to be the nucleus for all this, does anyone there know what Ken Livingstones thoughts are. (does Ken Livingstone think at all?)

mbscad

06-04-2008, 23:14

Done.
Will advise when/if reply received.

john-oh

07-04-2008, 08:37

I found this reply stuck in my spam filter :

(My MP has already referrerd this to the Minister, this is in reply to my specifically asking him to sign the EDM)

Thank you very much indeed for your further e-mail about EDM 1155.
I am afraid that I do not sign EDMs, even if I agree with their wording as in this case.
EDMs, of which there are thousands – about fifteen new ones are added every day when Parliament is in session – are simply written motions to which MPs can add their name, but which are rarely debated and to which nothing much happens.
A very few reach the floor of the House for debate, and when they do, I always make a point of doing my best to attend and debate them, and, when occasionally the rules allow, voting on them. Sadly, when such motions are debated, the vast majority of MPs who have signed the EDM in question, either never turn up or actually vote against what they have previously signed! In other words, signing EDMs is, in my view, not the best way of representing constituents' concerns.

Signing EDMs should not be confused with an MP's actual support for an issue. As we saw recently with the Parliamentary vote on post office closures loads of Labour MPs who had already signed an EDM against post office closures went through the lobbies voting against a motion which would have stopped the closures and which was worded almost exactly the same as the EDM which they had signed. I would suggest to you that many MPs who sign EDMs are giving their constituents the false impression that they care about particular issues, but when it comes to it they will do little if anything about them. I am afraid a lot of EDM-signing is complete hypocrisy from MPs, which is why I take no part in it.

When the issue raised by an EDM is a matter for a Government Department, such as yours, I think it is far more effective to represent constituents' concerns by writing to the appropriate Minister and asking for a response to the issue raised. By this means, the Minister gets to learn of constituents' views directly from their MP, and a reply is always sent. In this regard, as you know, I have written to the appropriate Minister and will send you a copy of the reply when received.
I can live with that.