I appreciate that it is in who makes the approach and not the method. What did surprise me was that he asked no questions, didn't even comment on my arguments just said ~ Drop me an email with your NI details and permission for them to talk to me about your case and I'll do it.
My email to him contained no details of what I was asking, all I said was
" Dear Chris, further to our telephone conversation of this morning I am having problems getting a response from the DWP. My NI is XX XX XX XX X and I confirm I fully consent to your discussing this matter with the DWP.
Regards
Snoopy"
His office emailed back to say
"Dear Snoopy, Thanks for the email. Chris has sent it to the Chief Executive of the DWP. If you don't hear from them in the next two weeks please let me know
Regards XXXXXX on behalf of etc"
I got a reply, in the post, from DWP in their usual jargon
"We have looked into etc etc blah blah blah. and find that our officers have acted correctly etc etc.
Then a phone call from the MP's office saying have you heard from DWP and would you like me to email a copy of the reply we got?
The letter I got from DWP ran to about 3/4 of a page. The reply to the MP was two pages long!!!