A SOUTHAMPTON MP has been criticised after seemingly dismissing a constituent's financial concerns with a "sarcastic and snide" reply.
Royston Smith, Conservative MP for Southampton Itchen, has been slammed online over a "childish" email response to a resident's cost of living concerns.
Alasdair Morgan, from Bitterne Park, emailed his parliamentary representative three times since the beginning of 2021.
The previous messages regarding Covid and partygate received no response as MPs do not have an obligation to reply.
However, in his most recent email about his fears over being able to heat his home this winter, the 36-year-old said he asked for a response.
Mr Smith's replied: "Thank you for your email.
"In all your emails you have misspelt my name which is interesting because you manahe (sic) to spell it correctly in the email address.
"I have responded."
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Alasdair said he now works two jobs as an account manager and delivering pizza to afford basic essentials.
He said: "I wish I didn't get a response at all rather than the email I got from him.
"I am originally from South Africa. I thought that the system here in the UK that you can email your MP is great.
"Being able to reach out and let them know your concerns because they are meant to fight for you.
"In my last email, I said that I emailed twice before and received no response and was hoping for one this time.
"I understand he can't respond to every email but the way he responded to me was just petty."
Alasdair posted the email response on a Reddit group r/ukpolitics receiving 1.7k likes in one day.
He said he now worries about all constituents' concerns in the Southampton Itchen ward.
He said: "What is his view of the people he represents?
"I hope he will have more respect for his constituents and will do more to support concerns."
Asked for a response, Mr Smith told the Daily Echo: "I receive thousands of emails.
"Some are polite, some not so much. I prioritise those who are in need of help or have pressing issues."
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