It's been a long time

It has been some time since I last updated you all. While it is partly because 'life got in the way,' be assured I have been working at it with letters to BBC Complaints and the press. I appreciate what I am about to say sounds negative but bear with me. I admit so far I have not promoted the petition as much as I could. As the reality is that a petition relating to stammering is not going to attract a huge number of signatures I have refrained from spending money to promote it. ( I don't know, but with 78 signatures after 4 months it might hold the record for the fewest for any petition on the site!) That does not however mean I am not prepared to spend money on it. I am refraining for the moment because I think it is possible the aim might have been achieved. To explain, I noted in the last series that the mimicking was considerably reduced from the previous year. It was indeed very minimal and in one episode there was none at all. The point is that during the 12 months between the two series I was writing to the BBC. Could it be that I had some effect and while they didn't want to stop it completely they kept it to a minimum? Since setting up the petition, I have written further explaining I am keeping the petition open and if the mimicking continues in the next series I will part with some money to promote it. I explained my reason for refraining and that the fact a petition relating to stammering will not attract a huge number of signatures in some ways helps make the point about my complaint, i.e. lack of awareness and understanding. I urged them to consider the petition in that context and the strong comments rather than dismiss it because of the number of signatures. I hope you understand my thinking. Let's see what happens in the next series. It is just possible we might have done it. One reply from the BBC included, "We understand your concern on this matter but it is important to note the decision was final." It would be naïve to read too much into that but perhaps privately some have taken the point and thus the mimicking might be quietly dropped. As the petition is still open anything you can do to persuade others to sign is greatly appreciated. Best regards. John