I've written to my MP

Smoof

Hello Everyone!

Following the post by @Nellymoser regarding the petition on parliment.uk; I've written to My MP.
Feel free to Find your MP and pop them an email as well - it only takes a few seconds with this handy template!

Dear [My MP],

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you as one of your constituents from [My Constituency] to draw your attention to a petition entitled "Bring the Parking Code of Practice into law, as per the 2019 Act of Parliament," currently active on the Parliament petition website. I want to express my strong support for this petition.

The current state of private parking regulations is concerning for many motorists, myself included. I recently encountered a situation where a private parking company pursued me for a supposed violation. Fortunately, I have some legal experience and was able to defend my position, but many others are not so fortunate. The ordeal can be intimidating, and many people end up paying extortionate amounts to these firms out of fear, without realising they might have a strong case.

This complexity is compounded by long standing concerns from consumer rights groups such as Which?, Citizens Advice, and MoneySavingExpert. These organisations have repeatedly emphasised the lack of transparency and consistency in how private parking penalties are issued and managed, indicating an urgent need for reform.

I am also deeply concerned about the significant increase in automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, which has led to a rise in penalty notices. This disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, such as low-income families and the elderly.

While the private parking industry has implemented its code on 1st October 2024, I believe it insufficiently safeguards motorists' rights. Critical areas, such as fair caps on charges, the establishment of a genuinely independent appeals process, and the prevention of potential harassment, remain inadequately addressed.

I urge you, as my representative in Parliament, to support this petition and join your fellow MPs who have recently already spoken out on this issue as reported by the BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9qnpl1eqgo) this [week/month] to advocate for the introduction of statutory code of practice for private car park operators. Your support could make a substantial difference in bringing about legislation that genuinely protects motorists across the country.

Thank you for considering this matter.

Coupon-mad

All good but never, ever, start any email with the well known / overused ChatGPT joke:

"I hope this letter finds you well."

Google it. A lot of people hate it, e.g. 

https://medium.com/@max.dancona/i-hope-this-message-finds-you-well-80de70e9e1da

Nellymoser

That's a very well written template letter @Smoof. 🙏

Hopefully it will encourage others to copy and email it to their MP and sign the petition.

Coupon-mad

Except for the gratingly overused ChatGPT intro: "I hope this letter finds you well."

I delete emails that start like that (don't get any ideas, those of you here who email me!).

Smoof

Dear @Coupon-mad

I trust this post finds you well

I've having considered your feedback I have edited the template

Coupon-mad

Brilliant!