Lib Dem MP John Hemming uses spam filter to stop NHS protest emails
It's amazing what you can do with technology nowadays. Blogger Éoin Clarke, who runs an organisation called Labour Left, has set up an automated system allowing voters to send an e-mail to Liberal Democrat MPs protesting against the Government's NHS changes.
The gadget lets you send your protest with the minimum of effort, and even writes the text of the email for you.
It warns that health professionals are against the changes, and adds: "I am begging one small favour of you. Please vote in an ethical manner; do the right thing, whatever you deem that to be."
I'm not sure the passive-aggressive tone of the email (as if the recipient isn't inclined to behave ethically without being begged to do so) is going to change any minds. But Birmingham Lib Dem MP John Hemming has found a solution.
As Mr Hemming (Lib Dem Yardley) explains on his blog, he's simply fixed his email spam filter to stop the messages arriving in his inbox.
Edit: John Hemming has commented on Twitter:
@jonwalker121 My constituents deserve the right to be able to contact me and not be blocked by Eoin Clarke and his incompetent campaigning.
— John Hemming (@johnhemmingmp) March 12, 2012
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I left this comment for Mr Hemming, who seems to think that anyone who emails him MUST be involved in Labour Left and so losing their votes is of no consequence.
"I have been sending out emails using Eoin Clarke's page. I have been personalising mine, but many people do not have the time to do the same.
I would like you to know that I am not a follower of "Labour Left" - I voted Lib Dem at the last election.
Many of those using Eoin's page have only been made aware of him because we have been scouring all news sources for any updates on the hated NHS bill. This bill is causing much distress and fear to many people, and the fact you dismiss all those who oppose it as politically motivated Labourites is deeply offensive to those of us who have genuine, justifiable concerns.
As I said, I voted Lib Dem at the last election – but never, ever again."
Good for John!
What a waste of pixels this story is!