Madam,

Last week, P A Jones wrote to The Shuttle with concerns about government policy. In his letter, he raised that I have not replied to him.

Mr Jones is right to raise the issue of MPs replying to constituents’ letters and emails. All elected representatives are accountable to their communities. However, it is perhaps worth explaining the challenge of modern communication.

I receive 50 and 100 emails every day specifically from constituents raising concerns. These range from questions about policy, through specific casework, to communications with community groups. We are also inundated with Twitter posts and other social media. Add the various Whatsapp groups, telephone calls and texts, and wider emails and it becomes a challenge.

Some queries, such as Mr Jones’s ask of the RSPB challenge over government policy, require more considered responses. Hypothesising policy outcomes without reference to other, more relevant measures, takes time to process and check with ministers. Every constituent deserves a proper reply.

With platforms like Twitter, where I know neither the identity nor the address of the Tweeter, I will not prioritise the anonymous over constituents.

And when it comes to big issues, I use my column in this newspaper, and BBC Hereford and Worcester, to be held to account.

I will reply to Mr Jones, of course. But in this case, his email was sent at around the same time he would have submitted his letter to the Shuttle. We can do our best, but we can’t bend the laws of physics.

Mark Garnier MP