Write and wrong


Obiter would like to extend our thanks to Kent solicitor Robin Murray for ?giving us this glimpse of his fascinating correspondence with Derek Conway, the MP recently splashed all over the press for apparently being more than a tad over-generous with the bonuses dished out to 'research assistant' son Freddie. However, Mr Murray has made us promise to mention that he has had a much more positive response from most Tory MPs who are 'alarmed at this present state of legal aid'. Here goes...



Dear Mr Conway



Re: The defence of civil liberty and the coming collapse of legal aid



Thank you for you letter dated the 18th May 2007. Other MPs from all parties have written quite lengthy replies to me:

a) Setting out their views.

b) Suggesting an urgent meeting at the ?constituency surgery.

c) Confirming that they have signed one or other of the early day motions.

d) Taking up the issue with other ?colleagues, government ministers and shadow ministers.



I note the full extent of your response is to say: 'the points you make are similar to those put forward by the Conservative spokesman on legal affairs, but of course the Labour government has a majority until 2010 so this is beyond our control.'



That's it then. Sit on your constituency majority until 2010. Great campaigning spirit from a member of a party hoping to resume government at the next election. When your constituency office is inundated with people turning to you for help when they cannot find a legal aid lawyer, I hope you may remember this apparently pointless correspondence. Still, I suppose you will say to them, 'the Labour government has a majority until 2010 so this is beyond our control.' I appreciate Disraeli's axiom 'the duty of the opposition is to oppose' may be a little old-fashioned in these consensual days and perhaps should be updated to a duty to 'do nothing until the next general election'.



I will be forwarding this letter to the legal aid firms in Sidcup and Bexley so that they and their employees can judge the matter for themselves. I will also be sending a copy to shadow ministers Oliver Heald and Dominic Grieve so they are aware of your level of support for them in their outstanding efforts to help in the struggle to maintain access to justice for everyone's constituents, including your own.



Yours sincerely,

Robin Murray & Co