Get in touch with your MP
Speaking to your MP is one of the best ways to make sure that your voice is heard by decision-makers. We’ve created a guide to help you engage with your MP and join the fight against poverty.
Your MP is there to represent you in Parliament. If you want to contribute to discussions about adequate incomes and ensuring everyone is free from the burden of unaffordable costs, there are many ways you can reach out to your MP and influence the debate. Your voice can have particular impact if you have personal experience of being unable to get by or struggling to find an affordable, suitable home.
1 in 5 of us are unable to afford the essentials for a stable, dignified life. Together we need to make sure the voices of people living in poverty and those who care about creating a more equal society are listened to.
Ways to engage your MP
- Writing to your MP is one of the easiest ways to get in touch. You can find their contact details online and post a hand-written letter or send an email. Remember to include your postcode, otherwise your correspondence won’t be read!
- If you want to speak to your MP directly, you can attend a constituency surgery. These are regular opportunities for constituents to meet with their MP and discuss issues of concern. You can find details on your MP’s website or contact your MP’s office.
- Are you already involved in campaigning on a particular issue? You could ask your MP to pledge their support, speak at an event or encourage fellow constituents to join the campaign.
- You can post on social media and tag your MP. Westminster MPs’ Twitter handles are listed on the parliamentary website.
- If you’re short of time, you can take one of our campaign actions. It’s quick and easy using our handy tools, and you’ll be joining hundreds of others to make a difference in society.
What can I ask my MP to do?
- If there’s a debate in Parliament on an issue that you care about, you could ask your MP to make a speech or ‘intervention’.
- If there’s a relevant bill going through Parliament, you could ask your MP to submit an amendment or explain why you want them to vote a certain way.
- You could ask your MP to table a parliamentary question to challenge the government on a particular topic – this works especially well if your MP is from an opposition party.
Top tips for engaging with your MP
- Before engaging with your MP, you should do some research about them. Take a look at what party they’re from, if they have any published positions on the issue you care about, and if they have any personal interests you can focus on. If they’re likely to be hostile to your request, it’s best to prepare for this in advance.
- If you’re sending an email or letter, always include your full address so you can be identified as a constituent.
- MPs represent us at a national level but have a ‘special duty’ to represent their constituents. Try to show why the issue matters for your local area and support across the community for your position.
- Have a clear idea of what you want to say and what you want your MP to do before getting in touch. This is especially true if you’re meeting them in person – you want to avoid going off topic and have one clear ask.
- If you or someone you care about has been impacted by poverty or homelessness, sharing your experience is a powerful way to convince your MP to act. But keep in mind that anything you post on social media or online can be seen by anyone, and don’t share someone else’s story without them agreeing first.
- Remember that MPs are very busy and have a lot of issues to work on. They might not reply on social media, or you might receive an automatic reply to an email. But keep trying and make sure you follow-up after any meetings – persistence is key.
Give a single gift
A single donation, big or small, can transform someone’s life by helping them access their rights and entitlements when they need it most
Give a regular gift
Your regular monthly gift can help someone to understand and defend their rights and entitlements, at the most difficult time in their life
Volunteer - Pro Bono
Our dedicated volunteer lawyers share their time and expertise on our Tribunal Project, so that individuals can access their benefits they have been wrongly denied