I HAPPENED to email / write to Sir George Young on several occasions during his tenure as our MP.

While his answers to my queries could have been taken straight from the pages of a Conservative Party election manifesto, he did at least reply with a personally signed letter.

In the past few months I have contacted our new MP Kit Malthouse on two occasions, once before he was elected and once since. Both times I received automated replies from his office to the effect of “We are busy right but will get back to you later”.

Sadly it seems “later”, rather like “tomorrow” is a day that never comes. I appreciate he may well be busy but Sir George managed to communicate even when he had other duties over and above that of a backbencher.

Following a previous comment in your columns this makes me think even more that he has been parachuted into this safe seat awaiting the arrival of Boris into power and some well paid ministerial post. Next time perhaps we could have a candidate from the local area who may at least try to appear to listen to what constituents are saying.

John Vining, Silchester Close, Andover