Parenting Forums

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 12:33pm | IP Logged

I am so cross!

I have just had a letter from my MP following my email regarding the breastfeeding manifesto and frankly I am appalled by his response. I am about to sit down and compose a reply but I need to calm down first and would welcome your thoughts.

In the letter he thanks me for my email and tells me he has read the Breastfeeding Manifesto with interest. He says he finds the arguments in favour of breastfeeding compelling and goes on to list these. However it is the next paragraph that has got my back up. It reads:

In my opinion, however, legislation is an unnecessarily draconian instrument. More could be done to achieve similar results thorough a voluntary code of practice, This could include a requirement to establish adequate breastfeeding facilities in public places which I believe is the root of the problem – not lack of legislation. In my opinion, private businesses should be free to choose when breastfeeding should be allowed. Even if mothers wanted to breastfeed their baby in a restaurant, for example, I doubt they would want the restaurant owner to face a large fine simply because somebody complained.

He goes on to say he supports the sentiment but doesn’t believe legislation will help but he will follow the process of the manifesto and thanks me for my letter.

I need to write a reply which will be taken seriously. My point is that mothers of bottle fed babies can feed anywhere but breastfeeding mothers are forced to go and sit in a cramped room, alone, whilst their baby feeds and this will put some mothers of continuing to feed. I will also email everyone I know in this area telling them to email him with the manifesto so he has to reply to them all – he’ll regret disagreeing with me!

Firstly am I overreacting or do you agree? Secondly I would welcome any thoughts or ideas on the reply I am going to draft!

I certainly won’t be voting conservative at the next election!

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 12:43pm | IP Logged

I was going to ask if he was a member of the raving monster looney party but I guess conservative is near enough.

I think it definately warrants a reply.  He probably thinks that you just clicked a link and didn't think about the email that was actually sent to him.  Going along the lines of the bottle feeding argument I think is excellent.  Also pointing out that if it was made legislation that breastfeeding mothers could feed in public then resturant owners wouldn't be facing a fine for letting mother feed in public.  I would also ask him of his personal experience as he doesn't sound like someone who has had children or had a wife or partner breastfeed.  Pointing out that most public facilities expect you to feed in the toilet which is unhygenic and would he go to a resturant and then eat in the toilet.  You could also point out that businesses are not free to except disabled people or people that are not british so in that way it is discrimination that they don't allow mothers to breastfeed their children.

Oh and then ask him where he dines regularly and get a group of women to go and sit in that resturant and breastfeed normally not exhibistion type feeding.  Then ask him if he was breastfed and what his attitude to breastfeeding mothers is.  He could loose a lot of votes with his attitude would be worth keeping all correspondance and then seeing if the local paper or magasines were interested in running the story too.

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 12:51pm | IP Logged

Thanks Sam thats all really helpful!

I am drafting a reply and will post it on here before I send it.

Flip his name is Jonathan Djanogly (!)

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 1:07pm | IP Logged

You may be interested to read this Madz...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4021137.stm



Seems like the Conservatives voted against our Law change in Scotland, thankfully most people here are sensible and don't vote Tory anyway, so there's hardly any of their MPs!

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 1:16pm | IP Logged

Thanks Lynie - I will be using that in my argument.

I dont supose you have any figures which show how sucessful the law has been in scotland?

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 1:18pm | IP Logged

Found this- and just check out the last quote- really makes you think!

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 1:23pm | IP Logged

I think your doing a great job Madz,
I'm sure lots of women ....and probably men agree, but few would actually spend their time getting involved and speak out for what they believe is right and only natural!

The idea of getting people in your area to all write letters or emails to your MP, is great and shows a united community which would obviously be a dissadvantage for him in the elections if he rules against it!
And surely even if he personally doesnt believe it will help by making it law, the views, opinions and welfare of others in his area comes first?

Hope you can win this hun, and well done for your effort with it!
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