If you suspected that government mandarins sometimes lack the personal
touch, have a look at this anecdote by former British prime ministerial
aide Tim Allan on UK’s Radio 4:
When Tony Blair got into power in 1997, his proud father Leo wrote to
him at Downing Street, expressing his delight and signing off “Your
loving pa.” Blair’s assistants promptly consigned the letter to a pile
reserved for “long scrawls from mad people.” A few weeks later, Blair
Snr received a letter from his son’s office. “Dear Mr Pa,” it read.
“Thank you for your letter to the Prime Minister, the contents of which
have been noted. Unfortunately we cannot take up your suggestion but we
suggest you contact your local MP.”
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