How to tell if your representative represents?

When I previously emailed my MP, I hoped that he would try to learn about the subject.

Today I received his response:

Dear Mr Balch

Thanks for the email.

I have written to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills taking up your concerns.

I will also liaise with other MPs concerned about this,

Best wishes,

Yours sincerely

Rt Hon Andrew Smith MP

Now it may be that the Rt Hon Andrew Smith MP actually has tried to learn about the issues I raised, and has formed an opinion about them. You certainly can't tell from that letter though.

Hopefully I'm just being cynical and he actually is pursuing the issue...

Just emailed to my MP...

Here's what I just emailed to my MP:

Dear Andrew Smith,

Following on from our contact in March this year regarding the Digital Economy Bill (now Act)[1], it transpires [2] that consumers - via ISPs - will be expected to prop up the business model [3] of a devious, manipulative, and profiteering music industry [4].

Asides from the insult to democracy that was this ridiculous Bill's journey to an Act [5], I find the plan of spending money on bureaucracy and lawyers for no public benefit utterly disgusting, and expect you to work toward the repeal of sections 11-18 of the DEA.

Unfortunately your previous responses have given me no confidence that you have any understanding of the damaging results the DEA will have for individuals [6] and the information economy - I hope that you will read the referenced articles, and further hope for an enlightened response...

Yours sincerely,
David Balch

References:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Economy_Act_2010
[2] http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-sectors/docs/o/10-1131-online-copyright-infringement-government-response
[2] http://www.zeropaid.com/news/90729/uk-isps-unfair-consumers-must-pay-to-protect-entertainment-industry-profits/
[4] http://www.theroot.com/views/how-much-do-you-musicians-really-make?GT1=38002
[5] a shocking lack of understand was demonstrated. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/apr/08/digital-economy-bill-passes-third-readinging
[6] e.g. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/apr/12/digital-economy-bill-households-piracy

I heartily recommend everyone else do something similar with their MP.