Engaging with your MP

From flags, to riots, and mass demonstrations anti-migrant settlement feels like it is at an all-time high with politicians across parties pushing more and more hard line policies.  And the current government has announced significant new immigration policies, including the Immigration White Paper.

That is why it is so important that your local MP hears from you. Whether that's organising a holiday card postbox and delivering cards from your community, inviting them to your event or letting them know how it went and setting up a meeting, it all adds up.

We have created a simple write to your MP action for you to share with your networks, focussed on putting pressure on the government to change their cruel and draconian new policy announcements.

You can also use this as a starting point to write your own letter, highlighting what this will mean where you are.

We will be keeping this section regularly updated with new messaging and key MP asks as the policy continues to be fleshed out, so do check back for updated messaging and templates.

We would also encourage you to try and meet or engage with your MP to help show the depth of local support for refugees in their constituency.  

Things to think about when reaching out to your MP:

1. What are you wanting your MP to do? Be clear about what your goals are before you reach out.  This doesn't have to be a policy ask - maybe it's an invitation to an event, or to visit your group and learn more about what you do.

2. Pick up the phone - it’s always worth calling your MP’s office, explaining what you’re doing and asking how best to engage your MP - you’d be amazed how often this simple step can stop your email getting pushed to the bottom of an inbox.

3. Research your MP - what do they care about? Have they spoken about refugee rights in the past? Why might this issue be important to them? 

4. Prep for your encounter - whether that's inviting them to a community event, holding a meeting make sure all of your people know what the plan is, who will be doing what and that people feel confident and comfortable in advance.

5. Think about story telling - often stories cut right to the heart of an issue, who do you know who might be willing to share some of their story or how will you share the story of your group in a way that is engaging?

6. Don’t be afraid to be yourselves - too often people think meeting an MP needs to be a formal meeting, but it doesn't have to be - think about how you can show yourselves at your best, and help your MP to have a good time at your event and want to continue to work with you. 

7. Involve people with Lived Experience - this work is always most effective when led by those with lived experience.  This document HERE provides some useful things to think about whether your group is led by those with lived experience, or you are looking to engage those with lived experience in your work.