Engaging with your MP is more important than ever if the UK Government is to take real and rapid action to tackle climate change.
Why is talking to your MP important?
When constituents like you engage with decision makers and educate them about the risks and opportunities of the climate crisis, it is possible to convince even the most sceptical to take action.
We know many people are unsure about how worthwhile contacting their MP will be, and many feel daunted by the prospect of doing so. But, meeting your MP is an opportunity to see real, tangible action on climate change at a local and even national level.
The Globe Foundation - Kate Copeland (Right) and Kate Griffiths, MP for Burton & Uttoxeter
HFTF Trailblazers with Olivia Blake MP in Endcliffe Park
Top Tips
Talking to your MP about anything can seem daunting if you haven’t done it before, so we’ve put together some top tips to help you have a conversation about climate with your MP.
Your voice counts
We need the whole Government to deliver on climate change. Now. Tell your MP to urge the Prime Minister to lead, the Chancellor to fund, and every Minister to take responsibility and deliver net-zero fairly and rapidly.
BEFORE YOUR CONVERSATION
Before making contact with your MP, it’s good to do some research on your MP and what you’d like to discuss with them.
STEP TWO: MAKE A PLAN
Ahead of meeting or emailing your MP, it’s helpful to decide and plan what you want to talk about with your MP. You don’t need to be an expert on climate change to meet your MP, but a well thought out approach can make all the difference in turning your MP into a champion for climate issues. You could:
Demonstrate cross-community support for climate action - how have local groups and individuals come together in your community to tackle climate change?
Discuss a particular place of concern or a local project, for example, a local clean energy project
Find out if they’re interested in any particular climate-related problems or solutions, or find out if anything they’re interested in is being affected by climate change and discuss those
If you’re meeting your MP with others, get together with them to discuss this, then nominate someone to take notes so you can follow up on important points.
You and your MP may not see eye to eye on everything, but it’s better to focus on finding common ground rather than starting with the areas you disagree on.
STEP ONE: LEARN ABOUT YOUR MP
It’s worth doing a bit of detective work. Find out things like:
Which political party are they are in
Whether or not they hold a government or shadow position
What their interests and areas of expertise are
How they voted in the past
Their stance on climate change, and if they’re interested in any climate-related issues or solutions
You can find this info at theyworkforyou.com, parliament.uk or on your MP’s website.
Doing this can help you to tailor your conversation to their interests and anticipate their response. If you don’t know your MP’s interests, finding out more about their concerns and priorities can be a really good foundation for your conversation.
MPs are also interested in anything local, so think about how your area is likely to be affected by climate change, and whether anyone local is already taking positive action.
TOP TIP: IF MEETING YOUR MP, INVITE OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS
Why not see if there are other community groups that can join you? Climate change is an issue that affects everyone and MPs are often pleasantly surprised when they see different groups that all care about the same issue.
WHAT TO DO AT YOUR MP MEETING
Whether you are emailing your MP or meeting with them over zoom or in person, we have a few tips to help you engage with your MP.
FINDING COMMON GROUND
Speaking with you MP is a unique moment to find common ground and create new opportunities to learn from each other.
Remember, they are not all that different from the rest of us—they are our neighbours, who also want their families and children to thrive in a fairer, more secure world.
Talk about why action on climate change is important to you and how it is affecting your constituency. If your MP is supportive, ask why climate change is important to them.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
You don’t have to be an expert and your MP won’t expect you to be either. It is good to bring a couple of facts to help you make your argument but don’t overwhelm your MP with statistics.
Start by talking about why climate change is important to you and how it is affecting your constituency, and why you want to see climate action. Include things you love that will be affected by climate change - from bees, to our global neighbours to people’s health - and highlight positive local action, whether that be solar panels on schools or local renewable energy businesses generating employment.
BUILD THE RELATIONSHIP
Building a good rapport with your MP is success in itself! Encourage your MP to see themselves as an ally by building on common ground and avoiding the temptation of diving straight into areas where you disagree.
BUT WHAT IF…
…YOUR MP DOESN’T AGREE WITH YOU?
When first emailing or meeting with your MP, it is unlikely you will be able to change their mind on every issue. That’s OK, just focus on the areas that you do agree on.
The main thing is to understand your MP’s views and build a relationship with them to keep the conversation going after talking to them. This is where research into your MP’s interests before engaging will be helpful. They might not be a champion on climate issues, but may have spoken out about air pollution or energy efficient homes. Some consequences of tackling climate change, like job creation in sustainable energy or food security for millions of people, may be a way to approach the subject.
Work on looking for areas where you can work together. Start with small steps and build each other’s trust. As the relationship develops see what you can do in the long term.
…YOUR MP KEEPS TRYING TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT?
Acknowledge what they’re saying, but politely explain you are aware of the short amount of time you have with them so would like to focus on increasing the UK’s climate change ambition.
…YOUR MP IS FROM A MINORITY OR OPPOSITION PARTY?
No matter what party they belong to, your MP is there to represent you and is your link to political power. They can make your voice heard at the highest levels.
“As MPs we’re here to represent you, we can listen to your concerns and take them right to the top”
David Burrowes MP, Enfield Southgate
BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MP
It’s important to thank your MP for speaking with you, and to follow up on any commitments they made during your conversation.
FOLLOW UP
Send an email or letter to your MP to thank them for responding to your email or attending a meeting with you. You should also remind them of any commitments they made, and ask them to keep you updated on any progress.
Sending a follow up “thank you” will help build your relationship for next time.
IN THE FUTURE
Regroup to start thinking about opportunities where you might be able to get in with your MP again, maybe a follow up meeting or by staying in touch on social media.
FURTHER SUPPORT
We know that the most effective outcomes are achieved when we think about each MP engagement as just one part of a longer term relationship. Speaking to your MP now about climate change is important for sustaining their interest over the course of the coming months and years, a time when climate action is so vital for ‘keeping 1.5 alive.’
Hope for the Future, a member organisation of The Climate Coalition, exist to support you through the entire process of engaging your MP, and use their experience of previous meetings to make your engagement as meaningful as possible. Fill out this form to request their support.
