This lego model of a suffragette...

...is part of an exhibition in St James's church. It claims to want to stimulate discussion and ideas - hopes for democracy. 

It is 100 years since Margaret Wintringham was elected MP for Louth. She was elected following the death of her husband, the sitting MP, and, conforming with the prevailing customs, apparently, did not speak in public through the election campaign because it coincided with the period of mourning.

Our current MP, since 2015, is Victoria Atkins. Unless the current reshuffle affects her position, she is a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Home Office (Minister for Safeguarding and Afghan Resettlement). Victoria can speak and does answer letters, but in both cases the extent of her contribution is to repeat, very carefully, the current government policy. No debate. No ideas.

I found that my conversation with the lego Hope this afternoon was quite as fulfilling as any I have had with our parliamentary representative. Clearly, I and others need to up our games if there is to be much hope for our version of democracy.