Following up from my last post the first non-automated replies are in. I am at once both impressed and unsurprised I have a reply from an MEP, London Conservative MEP Marina Yannakoudakis to be precise.
On the question of if they “think it is ever appropriate that a local Council seek to prevent one of their constituents from writing about them in any form?”
They’ve told me:
“Dear A Voter,
Thank you for your e-mail.
The issue you raise is outside the jurisdiction of the European Union, specifically that of the European Parliament.
If you have not done so already, may I suggest you contact your local
Member of Parliament, James Brokenshire MP to raise your concerns using the following link:
http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/constituencies/old-bexley-and-sidcup
Yours Sincerely,
A rather prompt form letter not giving any opinion at all, I shall take it as a general view on how the London Conservative MEP’s approach matters of accountability and freedom of speech.
In better news the Green party campaign office, have sent a seemingly real e-mail saying they’re going to talk to their candidate about it and get back to me.
Update I’ve written back to Marina asking the same question but about MEPs and the European Parliament instead, as that would be a matter for her.
“Dear Marina Yannakoudakis,
I’m surprised that you can’t express an opinion on a council in your constituent area gagging their constituents from reporting on council business. However as you feal that you can’t express an opinion on a local matter as it’s not part of the purview of the European Parliament, let me ask you a related question.
Do you think it would ever be acceptable for the European Parliament to take steps to curtail a European citizen from writing about members of the European parliament in any form? Would it ever be acceptable for a MEP or the European Parliament to see a restraining order preventing a European citizen from:
Owning, operating or writing on a website or social media any criticisms of the European Parliament
and
from writing directly or indirectly about MEPS on any site?
I await your reply.
Your’s sincerely.
A Voter”
