My social media channels are managed by me and a couple of members of my team. I use these channels to share news and updates about my work as your MP, my constituency, and other matters that are relevant to people who live in Southampton Itchen.
I want these to be spaces where constituents feel able to share their comments and thoughts on the issues that matter to them, recognising that of course people will not always agree on everything.
It’s also important for me to set realistic expectations around how I’m able to interact with constituents on these pages.
While I welcome your comments and feedback, it simply isn’t possible for me or my team to either see or reply to every comment, either on my pages or on the community groups that I use to keep you informed about my activities.
For this reason, social media is not the right place to raise matters with me that require a direct response.
If you are raising a matter that requires a response, please email me directly, call my office, or book an appointment at one of my surgeries.
I am also unable to take casework over social media, and I do not believe that these platforms are the right or appropriate forum to provide in-depth responses.
My contact details are on this website and details of surgeries and other community events, such as coffee mornings, are always advertised in advance.
House rules
To ensure that my social media pages remain safe and constructive places for people – including my constituents in Southampton Itchen and my small team who help me with my social media – it is fair to set a small number of simple rules:
- Abuse and threats of any kind will not be tolerated and may be reported to the appropriate authorities
- Spamming comments will be deleted and the account that posted them may be blocked without notice. This includes comments that are unrelated to the original post or persistent posting of comments across multiple posts or channels
- My social platforms are primarily used to help inform and explain my work to my constituents. If you are identified as not living or working in the constituency, your comments may be removed if necessary.
- Occasionally, where there are a significant number of comments that are not within these rules, it may become necessary for me to limit the public reply and comment functions.
Any posts that are felt to break these rules may be hidden or deleted without notice.
Thank you for your help in making our online spaces more welcoming and constructive. And I reiterate my earlier request that if you would like to raise an issue with me directly or require a response, please email me directly, call my office, or make an appointment at one of my surgeries, and I would be happy to hear from you and do what I can to help.