An introduction to…… Lobbying your MP MPs are your link to getting your message to the government. MPs have a responsibility to represent the views and concerns of all their constituents (whether you voted for them or not!). Research shows strongly that MPs believe constituency contact to be the most influential and effective form of lobbying.1 As a constituent you are free to pursue any issues of concern to you in the way you feel most comfortable, but we hope this briefing will enable you achieve maximum impact for your lobbying efforts! There are plenty more resources to help you understand the lobbying process and develop your lobbying skills, and the Practical Action campaigns team will be on hand to provide on-going support and advice. Why Lobby your MP? Letters to, and meetings with, MPs provide a strong indication of public opinion. Whilst MPs are not required to respond to written letters and emails, they usually do so it is always worth writing, and with some careful planning and strategy you can influence government policy. 1 nfpSynergy, 2005, Ten campaigning tips for lobbying your MP Practical Action The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby CV23 9QZ, UK T +44 (0) 1926 634400 | F + 44 (0) 1926 634401 | E practicalaction@practicalaction.org.uk | W www.practicalaction.org Practical Action is the working name of Intermediate Technology Development Group | Registered Charity No 247257 An introduction to…… MPs is able to (but won‖t always) take the following action: Ask a written or oral parliamentary question. Write to a Minister on your behalf. Present a petition to parliament. Table or Sign an Early Day Motion (EDM). EDMs are House of Commons Resolutions for which MPs can register their support and views for an issue. Introduce a Private Member‖s Bill. This is a Bill introduced by a single MP. Introduce a Ten Minute Rule Bill. MPs are granted 10 minutes to present why a certain bill they believe should be introduced. Speak in a Private Members or Adjournment Debate. Two opportunities for MPs (selected through a weekly ballot) to raise an issue of concern for debate with the relevant minister. Raise the profile of the issue in the media. Support a local or national event (also raises media coverage). Practical Action The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby CV23 9QZ, UK T +44 (0) 1926 634400 | F + 44 (0) 1926 634401 | E practicalaction@practicalaction.org.uk | W www.practicalaction.org Practical Action is the working name of Intermediate Technology Development Group | Registered Charity No 247257 An introduction to…… Who is my MP? To find out who your MP is and their contact details: • • • • Ask in your local public reference library or at your local town hall. Telephone the House of Commons Information Office (020 7219 4272). Go to www.locata.co.uk/commons/ and put in your postcode. Go to www.writetothem.com and put in your postcode Researching your MP Knowing about your MP helps you to consider which will be the most persuasive arguments from your MP‖s perspective and anticipate the reaction you may get. You can pitch a meeting or letter appropriately and prepare information that may help him/her understand your concerns better. MPs themselves instruct lobbyists to “Study what MPs are interested in and customise information for them”. Finally, researching your MP will help decide or dictate the type of actions that you ask your MP to take (e.g. different parliamentary positions exclude certain actions). What is it useful to know? • • • • • • • • • • • • What party they represent (but have no bias: be open to possibility of support or hostility from all parties). What is the view of the party on the issue? What power does the MP have — within Parliament, but also in Europe, local government and within trade unions? Position in Parliament, e.g. Minister or Shadow Spokesperson Committee membership - especially membership of Select Committees (Foreign Affairs, International Development, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) All-Party groups (Refugees Group, country groups) Party/backbench committee What is their position on related issues? Action taken previously, e.g. signed an EDM or asked a Parliamentary Question Relevant connections: business/family links/travel with relevant country Other background, e.g. previous job, interests, faith, trade-union link What is the constituency like—presence of relevant issues (e.g. environmental, refugees...) www.locata.co.uk/commons will provide most of this information including links to your MP‖s website. Practical Action The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby CV23 9QZ, UK T +44 (0) 1926 634400 | F + 44 (0) 1926 634401 | E practicalaction@practicalaction.org.uk | W www.practicalaction.org Practical Action is the working name of Intermediate Technology Development Group | Registered Charity No 247257 An introduction to…… Writing to your MP Practical Action will be providing key issues and actions points, and even template letters, specific to the campaign, but the more personal the letter the better. As one MP advised: “…don‖t send out obvious ―cut and paste‖ letters.” (NFP Synergy) Here are some tips to writing an effective letter that will ensure your MP takes note! • • • • • • • • • • Plan your letter carefully. Relate your concerns to special interests the MP may have (see ―researching your MP‖) Focus on one issue per letter Be concise in your argument. Make sure your requests for action or information are clear Your letter should be no more than two sides. Consider including testimonies, quotes or statistics to illustrate your case If you‖re enclosing a report to back up your case then include a summary – your MP is unlikely to read the whole thing. Be polite and be fairly formal. Either type the letter or use blue or black ink on white paper. Write to your MP at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA or you may be able to email them directly through http://www.writetothem.com/ Try to find out whether your MP prefers to be contacted be email or written letter – most, but not all, prefer written letters, and hand-written letters usually have the most impact. Meeting with your MP Meeting face-to-face with your MP is likely to have the most impact. You can meet with your MP either by attending their constituency surgery on a Friday or at the weekend or by requesting a meeting with them at the House of Commons from Monday to Friday when Parliament is in session. You can meet with your MP alone or as a group. How do I arrange a meeting? Your local library will have details of their next surgery or contact your MP‖s assistant in his/her constituency office. Make an appointment with your MP‖s assistant stating the topic you wish to discuss, and check the length of time you will have for the meeting. Follow the phone call with a letter to confirm the date, time and key points for discussion, including your contact details. Practical Action The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby CV23 9QZ, UK T +44 (0) 1926 634400 | F + 44 (0) 1926 634401 | E practicalaction@practicalaction.org.uk | W www.practicalaction.org Practical Action is the working name of Intermediate Technology Development Group | Registered Charity No 247257 An introduction to…… Preparation is key! Practical Action will be providing key messages and action points for you to raise, but a well planned meeting and a personal touch will achieve the greatest impact. Here are some tips on preparing for your meeting with your MP • • • • • • • • • Establish why this issue is important to you and how you are going to convey this. Ensure you have no more than three or four main points you want to get across. Consider the most persuasive arguments from your MP‖s perspective (see ―researching your MP‖). Anticipate counter arguments and have your answers prepared. Be clear on what action you want them to take. Know what you would accept as their minimum commitment to action. Gather any relevant briefings, campaign materials or press articles. Have clear timings for your agenda to ensure you can get through everything in the time allotted, especially the actions points you want them to take up. If you are visiting as a group, ensure that all are familiar with the agenda. Clearly allocate roles: someone to introduce, to take notes, to ask the MP to take action, and to thank them. Conducting the meeting Your priority is to convey: Why this issue is important to you and other voters Three or four key points you want them to understand What action do you want them to take Suggested approach Open with a “thank you” for something specific (preferably on action they have taken relevant to your concerns, if not, for agreeing to meet with you!). Convey your moral conviction or concern without being pious or “holier than thou”. Engage them with a constructive, friendly and non-aggressive style, yet be business-like and persistent. Be non-party political; you are a concerned constituent who might vote for them. Stick to your objectives and try not to be derailed or diverted. Try to get a firm commitment to action – even if it‖s just that you will meet again. Close with a “thank you”. If appropriate you can ask for them to get back to you when they‖ve done something or found some information for you, you can ask to continue the dialogue etc. Practical Action The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby CV23 9QZ, UK T +44 (0) 1926 634400 | F + 44 (0) 1926 634401 | E practicalaction@practicalaction.org.uk | W www.practicalaction.org Practical Action is the working name of Intermediate Technology Development Group | Registered Charity No 247257
Practical Action,