I decided, having not heard a thing from both the Justice nor Education Ministers, despite this petition being for them and sending both of them letters, that I would meet my local MP, Mr Rishi Sunak. 

So, off I trotted on a lovely spring morning to the  Conservative Party Club. As a seasoned campaigner I have now lost count of the number of politician's waiting rooms I have sat in, notes in hand, to ensure I do not forget a thing.  Whilst I waited for my name to be called out I decided to sit in the bar to pass the time with a bit of people watching and was quite enjoying watching Rishi's entourage of body guards and civil servants busying themselves.

The woman behind the bar asked me if I was one of Rishi's team.  "Oh no, not me" and this gave me the opportunity to share why I was there, bringing to life the campaign for children and grandparents. She listened  attentively as she kindly made me a coffee and then leaned over the bar and became more animated as she exclaimed, "Hey I signed your petition, it is massively important  and it could happen to anyone, including me!"

She then reeled off accounts of people it was happening to and the reasons why I was there became even more significant as Rishi Sunak  is a  man that could make a huge difference and so my heart began to race. This must be how a boxer feels before she/he gets into the ring, except he is not my adversary, but a politician that is there to work for us.  As I walked way from this woman with fire in her belly now, she shouted "he better do something about this" to which I respond "oh, yes, he blooming well better".

As I entered the room Rishi put his hand out and I politely asked if this was acceptable with Covid and all that and with his gentle smile he said "of course, long time no see Jasvinder". Yep, the last time I was there was when I decided to seek his support in advocating changes for victims of sexual harassment as someone that had experienced this at the hands of a senior member of the House of Lords.  

As I sat opposite Rishi, I opened the tap and let flow the  experiences of thousands related to these injustices.  The words came pouring out as if I was on auto-pilot. I explained to Rishi  that there are thousands of children and grandparents that have had loving and safe relationships removed from them for no other reason than someone, namely a parent/partner, deciding that you cannot see the grandchild any more.  These children will grow up feeling abandoned when they are so loved, but the grown ups are using them as a weapon in an unjust relationship war between adults.I went on to express that his government in 2017 said they would review the law, the then Justice Minister who had the backing of all MP's said she would look to change yet nothing has changed.  

This is not a new campaign, I am standing on the shoulders of giants, they have been banging at governmental doors for years.  In my time of advocating these injustices, I have heard of 7 grandparents' suicides and many being accused of harassment and carted off to police stations for simply sending loving gifts and cards to their grandchildren. 

Then I asked, "Rishi, are you a grandparent?" to which he shook his head, "so, did or do you have a relationship with your grandparents?"He smiled so I took this as a yes. Now I have met many a politician and after receiving many a feeble letter on the mat thanking me for the meeting, explaining what they are doing and wishing me well, basically a polite way of saying I hear you but it is what it is for now. 
But, this meeting felt different as Rishi listened attentively and I felt that he genuinely wished to understand what he could do, both in the short and longer term.

I suggested he could start by collaring the unresponsive Ministers and making them aware that it is actually rather rude not to respond to over 35,000 people motivated enough to sign the petition. Then I explained that I am compiling a report which I hope to complete by the end of this month and he offered to advocate this too. As the meeting ended I stood up to leave and looked back at Rishi, directly making eye contact and said  "we need you and we need this to change" he smiled and nodded. 

As I left I felt lighter because I felt I had done something to make a difference and I understand even more, how there is very little difference between me and Rishi really. As individuals we all have the ability to influence, the difference is how, and if we use it for good.

 I urge you all to come to my Zoom meeting on 30th May at 11am, to hear more about your campaign and what small things you can do to help us achieve our goal.

If you wish to attend and receive the link to this meeting please email our volunteer Trish at trish.grandparentsunited@btinternet.com 

Oh and please keep signing and sharing :-)