We were very pleased that Bobby Carver’s MP, Peter Kyle (Hove and Portslade) has spoken out about the campaign on the Nye Bevan News facebook page. Amongst other things he has stated: “Bobby needs, deserves, and has a right to accommodation that is suited to the challenges he faces.” Mr Kyle has also listed the things he has done. “On the very day Bobby first contacted me many months ago I, and my team, acted. Back then I was in rapid and direct contact with the director of social services who ordered a review of Bobby's case due to my intervention. Since that time I have spoken to social services, the housing department, and the council more on Bobby's case than any other. Even yesterday I discussed this case directly and in person with the chief executive of Brighton and Hove Council, and I have a meeting already planned with the newly appointed director of social services and the chief executive together at which I will again raise Bobby's case.” “So the question remains, which you have all been rightly asking, why hasn't this terrible issue been resolved? The answer with regards to me is simple - I simply do not have the power to instruct or direct any of our public services. I can demand, advocate, write, speak and shout - but it is up to those people directly running the services to act, and of course, the government ultimately. I am a legislator in parliament, I do not run social services, the housing department, or any of the caring services that are responsible. I am as frustrated and upset about this situation as other people who are trying to help and support and champion Bobby and I am trying to do what I can using the position of MP to have access and advocate, but I implore you to at least accept that I have no power to instruct people to do things differently.” We wish to make clear that we accept that Mr Kyle powers in this local matter are limited. The reason his name has been mentioned in various communications is because a great many people respond to Bobby’s case by advising Bobby to contact his local MP. Just as Mr Kyle is perhaps understandably frustrated at being linked to a case he cannot, ultimately, solve, we are frustrated at the interminable duration of a case which seems pretty cut and clear. Moreover, from our perspective, the last response Mr Kyle has sent Bobby seemed to back up the Council’s argumentation (described in detail here: https://brightonandhovehousingcrisis.wordpress.com/2016/12/30/a-question-of-expertise/) and conclude that was all there was too it. Even though Mr Kyle expressed his regrets that Bobby Carver’s adherence to the advice of his medical team might lead to the Council’s withdrawal of care, there was nonetheless an ominous message there between the lines which grated with the campaign team. We ask Mr Kyle to understand this as the essence of our argument in the petition is that the Council’s argumentation is fundamentally wrong. The Council has failed for five long years to meet their duty of care towards Bobby, and we argue that it is negligent, to say the least, to repeatedly ignore a wide panel of medical experts in favour of decisions made on the basis of bureaucratic protocol without a sound medical basis with regards to Bobby Carver’s needs. From our perspective, therefore, the apparent acceptation of this unjust situation was reason to revert to digital guerrilla warfare simply because there is a life at stake and we were not convinced the extreme urgency of this case was understood. It was also the reason we welcomed the independent Nye Bevan News proposal to do anything at all to ensure this situation doesn’t end up ending Bobby Carver’s life – which is the inevitable outcome if nothing is done. If Mr Kyle’s response on the Nye Bevan News page can be interpreted as a peace offering and an outstretched hand we want nothing more than to accept that and move forwards together, acknowledging that Mr Kyle is meeting his obligations towards his constituents in a manner which behoves a people’s representative in parliament. We want to add to that, that we view such a fight as something far broader than just Bobby Carver’s case. Bobby has been receiving a great many messages from other disabled people in equal or worse situations and he has vowed to find a way to voice all of their concerns, not just his own. What can Mr Kyle do? He has asked us to “please help me think of ways I can use the post of MP to deliver the change Bobby needs” (as well as recognizing that Mr Kyle has a responsibility for all his constituents in need of help). To begin with, we would like Mr Kyle to know that the public statement that “Bobby needs, deserves, and has a right to accommodation that is suited to the challenges he faces.” has had people in tears. It is a very simple thing, perhaps, but such a public acknowledgement of support can make a very big difference because people in Bobby’s position generally feel isolated and forgotten. We are genuinely grateful for Mr Kyle’s response. Other actions we would ask Mr Kyle to consider are as follows: 1. To accept Bobby’s invitation to visit Bobby in his current accommodation. Any such visit would tell him far more about the case than endless words on paper (or screens). Moreover, that would attract local media attention which is much needed to let those responsible know that people are aware of Bobby Carver’s situation and disapprove of this. Such a visit could also be used to discuss how we can work together on behalf of other disabled people in Brighton & Hove and the country as a whole. 2. To raise the issue of the treatment of disabled people in Mr Kyle’s constituency and the whole of the UK in parliament. The figures which the DWP has been so reluctant to release show that 100,000 disabled and ill people have died since 2010, a great many of them as a result of the extra stress imposed on them by DWP policies. A great many of them also unfairly derided as ‘benefit scroungers’ demanding state handouts rather than unfortunate people in genuine need. 3. To let us know how we, in turn, can help Mr Kyle fight this battle. We have limited means but are learning how to use these effectively. To conclude, we are grateful for Mr Kyle’s response and more than willing to work together with him on behalf of not just Bobby Carver but all those withering away in solitary gloom whose voices need to be heard and whose needs need to be met if we are to uphold the moral principles which, in the past, truly made Britain great. Yours sincerely, The Bobby Carver Campaign Team.