I wrote my MP…
I have no words yet to say how it feels to see my beloved adoptive country going through such turmoil.. In time, I will write my story of immigration. People don’t know what it means. They have no clue. I will also write how it feels for a person who grew up in a totalitarian regime and who fought and gave up for democracy in her native country — to see how people living in freedom, who have full rights and the institutions to guarantee them don’t value what they’ve got.
Before I find my words for these stories, I wrote my MP, Mr Jo Johnson. I was brief and I thought, factual. I didn’t display my emotions and one would not know that I was crying when I wrote this letter.
I have received a letter full of BS, the apotheosis of wooden language. Tell me if you find the word racism in his letter. I did not expect a personalised answer but still..
Dear Jo Johnson,
As an MP you have the power in your hands to vote in Parliament against
Brexit. I know that you have campaigned for Remain and I am sure you
understand the destruction already brought to the country, something
which will be very difficult to repair.Do not fear those who say that the referendum forces us to initiate the
Article 50. As you know, article 50 states that “Any member state may
decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own
constitutional requirements.” UK laws do not give the referendum the
power to trigger the Article 50. This power still resides with the
Parliament.I work in the City of London for fifteen years. The power of London as
financial centre could vanish extremely fast. Global banks will not
have any reason to be in London if London does not give them access to
the European markets.
There is so much to loose and nothing to gain.Last but not least, I am asking you to take position against the acts
of growing racism that we see in the press. Orpington is a diverse
place and its leaders should openly discourage the raise of xenophobic
and racist acts which somehow have been given permission through the
Leave Campaign.Yours sincerely,
Andra Sonea
Mr Jo Johnson’s response below:
Dear Ms Sonea,
Thank you for contacting me about the result of the recent referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.
The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their decision will be respected. The Government will now prepare for a negotiation with the European Union, working alongside the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments to ensure that the interests of all parts of our UK are protected and advanced.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has announced that he will step down in the coming months, stating that new leadership is required for this important next step in the UK’s path. The Prime Minister has also announced that he will leave it to his successor to decide when to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and begin the formal process of exit negotiations.
I join the Prime Minister in reassuring markets and investors that Britain’s economy is fundamentally strong. I can also reassure British citizens living in European countries and European citizens living here that they will be no immediate changes in their circumstances.
There will be no initial change in the way British citizens can travel, in the way our goods can move or the way our services can be sold. The UK will remain in the European Union while we negotiate our exit with our European neighbours.
The British people have taken a momentous decision to leave the European Union — now is the time to look ahead to the future and make it work.
Kind regards,
Jo
Jo Johnson
Member of Parliament for Orpington
Before you think I am exagerrating, listen to this:
and read this:
