SIR: I have really began to question the competence of the MP for Bolton West, Mrs Ruth Kelly. I am not a member of any political party. My measure for judging the worth of an MP is attentiveness to issues raised from within the constituency, plus impact on the national political scene.
I wrote to my MP, Ms Kelly, in January, addressing some private worries on a government policy issue. The letter, which was constructively critical but not unsupportive, asked some very reasonable but direct questions.
After six weeks I sought and obtained confirmation from a secretary that the letter had been received. I have since waited patiently for a reply. Last month the MP was sent a reminder. Now we are in April, but still no response to my correspondence.
I have seen one of Mrs Kelly's recent letters to a Bolton West constituent. It appeared to bear a facsimile signature, copied with a rubber stamp. These are symptoms of someone who has not got their heart in the job, and I suspect in this case a predisposition towards personal interests and causes.
Trevor Roberts
The Woodlands
Lostock, Bolton
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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