Thank you for your email and the request to sign an EDM.
Since I was elected in May 2015 I have taken the principled decision not to sign Early Day Motions, and I will briefly explain why.
A lot of EDMs are raised on behalf of lobbyists or groups keen to show themselves as doing something, yet without actually putting the leg work in to achieve a result. Many are also flippant or items that could have been better covered in a tweet, rather than a motion costing taxpayers about £400 to administer. These two EDM’s are a perfect example where one MP wants to congratulate their local football team on a win:
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2015-16/995
and another that wished good luck to the Home Nations in the Roller Derby Men’s World Cup:
https://www.parliament.uk/edm/2016-17/363
The most bizarre part is you do not actually even need to sign an EDM, just briefly nod when a colleague asks you in a corridor “Can I stick you down as supporting my latest EDM?”. Sadly the tax payer picks up a substantial bill each month for the cost of processing the hundreds of EDMs submitted, which have justifiably been described as being little more than 'parliamentary graffiti’.
Due to all these reasons the Government does not waste Civil Service time responding to them or even acknowledging them. They also do not result in debates in Parliament or changes to decisions. Signing an EDM is actually viewed as a lazy way to be seen to do something by many MPs.
If I want to put across an issue on behalf of a constituent, which I am always happy to do, I will write a letter, request a meeting or debate, submit a parliamentary question or speak to Ministerial colleagues in the voting lobby of the House of Commons. These are far more effective and direct ways of getting things done.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.