Date   : Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:58:45 +0100
From   : joel@... (Joel Rowbottom)
Subject: Domesday Preservation

Hi all --

On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:31:35 +0100, I wrote:

> I've dropped my brother a rather extensive mail outlining the situation,
> and I'll relay whatever he comes back with.

And I have received a reply, the meat of which is here:

> Anyway, as I see it there are two parts to this.
> 1) How you can raise the issue with your local MP;
> 2) How you can raise awareness generally and how to give the cause a
> political profile.
> Obviously 2) is related to 1), but there are definitely other avenues
that
> can be pursued.
> 
> For number 1), you have two main options. The first is a letter to your
MP,
> addressed to his Commons address.
>
> The letter should be polite, factual and to the point. It should provide
> some brief background on the project and why it was valuable.  It should
> state the importance of backing up the data and outline its value for
> future generations. Then it should clearly outline the obstacles to
> backing it up.
>
> It should state your idea about the legislative change and also make the
> point that it would be a benign change which could have no unintended
> consequences (which I think is probably correct). You should also say
that
> you are obviously open to other suggestions and that you would be
grateful
> if the MP could refer your letter to the relevant government department
for
> comment. You could also email him, but I prefer an actual letter -
there's
> a paper trail then (you can even send it recorded delivery if you want).
> 
> The upshot of this, at the very least, should be a letter back from the
> relevant Minister of State (which I suspect will be in DCMS, but could be
> in BERR or the Cabinet Office) responding to your concerns. This may be
> fruitful, it not may also not be fruitful - but you should at least have
> something you can move forward with as a result.
> 
> The other option is to go to an MP's surgery. I don't know if Balls takes
> his own surgery (Jack Straw does, for example) but I suspect that he
> probably won't. If the MP's there, you get a hearing and he gets the
> opportunity to ask questions about it.  If he's not, you get
> some caseworker who will take the details and respond to you. The
downside
> is that you risk not being able to make the case to the relevant
department
> in your own words.  The upside is that you could get to speak to the MP
> directly.  If you choose to try this route, I would strongly recommend
> putting a short leave-behind (two sides maximum) outlining your points
for
> them to go on. You could even write the letter and then take it along to
> the surgery. You should be able to find out when surgeries are being held
> by calling his office and than booking an appointment.
> 
> On point 2) we need to work out else could be interested in this in order
> to exhaust all avenues. I have a few ideas of people to approach.
>
> I think the best thing to do for now would be for you to draft a letter
for
> political audiences along the lines that I specify above and you've
already
> started in your email to me. Once you've done that, send it to me and
I'll
> give it the once over and tailor it as necessary for different audiences.
> 
> All of this might come to naught of course (there's never a guarantee of
> success), but it's fun to try.

I'll try and get something drafted, put through my brother, and maybe work
out a strategy.

On another note, is this of interest on the list or shall I split off
another maillist to discuss it?

Cheers


j