Recent research found that MPs underestimated public support for climate policies because they hear more from the vocal minority who object - and that this is not just in the media but also in their inbox.

"There may have been a silent majority in favour of windfarms and higher petrol taxes, but if there was, these people were mighty quiet. Essentially, all I ever heard from was people objecting to them." (UK MP)

Writing to your MP (and other politicians)

An MP has tens of thousands of constituents, and many political issues competing for their attention.  Regional and local politicians are also busy. How can we make them pause to look at the bigger picture and recognise that climate change should be high on their priorities?

Personal letters or emails are best, especially where you can explain how issues directly affect you or others in their constituency (and see the 'Do your research' sections below. But a large number of emails, even 'template emails' can show the weight of public opinion.

Remember to be polite. Facts are important but so is the personal touch. Remember, if you don't agree with your MP's political stance more generally, this is not the place to air your views! But your letter doesn't have to be perfect - what's important is that they hear from you, their constituent.

You can email your letter, send it to your MPs constituency office, or to: Their Name, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Get others to write

Multiply the impact by encouraging others in your constituency to write calling for climate action. This could be a simple email action or you could take postcards or cards for people to fill in onto community stalls.

Meeting your MP

One of the most effective things to do is actually to go and see your MP, ideally with a group of other constituents. Below are some tips for doing this. You can also contact Hope for the Future for support. They are a small organisation that specialises in training and supporting people to engage their local politicians on climate and nature issues (contact form here).

Do your research about your MP

It's important to understand their perspective: if you can approach from an angle they are already sympathetic with, there is a much higher chance of getting your message across. The Parallel Parliament website has useful information on MPs' activity and you can also check their Wikipedia page, and search the internet more generally. This will let you know whether they have an official position within the government or are on any committees, or if they have any special interests. Many MPs have particular issues that they push for change on within Parliament simply because they believe in them. Have they made any statements on climate or environmental issues? 

Do your research about the constituency

MPs may be more willing to talk about a local campaign issue. But you can also relate wider climate issues to their local impacts. Friends of the Earth has a useful webpage where you can find information on your local area, such as the prevalence of poorly insulated  homes, air pollution and opinion polling data. 

Do you want to arrange a visit to their office or invite them to attend an event?

While the former is more simple to arrange, the latter can have the advantage of allowing you to set the stage. Is there a local project that you would like to show off, a thriving green business, or a school which has installed solar panels? An event with a more 'social' feel, such as a tea-party, can give a relaxed feel and help disarm the MP. If the MP gets something in return for their time such as a photo appearance in the local paper, that can help build a positive relationship. Finding out about their interests may help spark some ideas.

But because there are so many different areas in which action is needed to achieve what we need to overall, there are choices to be made about what other areas to highlight. The particular interests and concerns of those in the group will influence this, but you should also take a step back and think strategically: are there areas of discussion which will make your MP more inclined to listen to you - for example the health impacts of heatwaves, how climate change is increasing flood risk, or the potential for climate jobs in the local area? Or areas where they might be able to be influential?

Planning together

Who is going to ask what question? What are your individual strengths? For example one person might be an 'expert', another good at staying calm under pressure, another be someone the MP might not see as a 'usual suspect'. Make sure everyone will get a turn at speaking.

Think about what you might ask your MP to do. This might be publicly supporting a campaign by signing a pledge (for example to oppose the Rosebank oil field), or having their photo taken with a placard. It might be writing to their party leader, or asking a Parliamentary Question about a specific policy, for example how the cumulative climate impact of proposed data centres is being assessed, or how the government intends to increase public understanding of the climate emergency.

During the meeting

Listen first. Don't leap in with the most controversial issue, try and find some common ground and build on that. Can you frame it so the MP can be your ally?

Then try and make your arguments using their language and values. Acknowledge concerns they raise rather than dismissing them out of hand. Then you can present alternative viewpoints.

Climate change is a life-and-death issue and an urgent one. It can be incredibly frustrating when people don't 'get it'. But to persuade you need to be persuasive, hectoring or getting angry will simply turn people away from what you are trying to get across to them. 

Make the MP feel that they wouldn't be going out on a limb by doing the action you are asking for or supporting your campaign. We like to know that people like us already agree with an argument - give them examples. It's important to emphasise that measures to cut emissions, such as home insulation and renewable energy, are also those which will help address he cost of living crisis.

After the event

Write a thank you letter. Send photos to local journalists and the MP.