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Meeting your MP

A meeting with an MP is a great opportunity to discuss your campaign in detail

Arranging the meeting

• Write a simple letter to your MP to ask for an appointment with him/her either at the constituency ‘surgery’ or at the House of Commons. You should state the date and time of the requested meeting and the issue you wish to raise. Give a daytime telephone number (if possible) so his/her office can contact you if necessary
• If the meeting is at the surgery, follow the letter with a phone call a few days later. If you turn up at the surgery unannounced, you will probably only be given a few minutes
• If the meeting is at the House of Commons, you should receive a letter invite. Go to the St. Stephens’ Gate entrance. If there’s a large national lobby you may have to queue, though you could jump it if the letter states a particular time. Tell the police officer on the door that you have an appointment
• Give yourself enough time to get through the security gates. Make your way straight ahead to the central lobby, where you’ll be directed towards a desk. You’ll need to show your letter there, and the official will contact your MP for you
• If you haven’t made an appointment, then you‘ll have to queue until you reach the central lobby, where you’ll be asked to fill in a green card. This will be taken to your MP, who will, with luck, come out to see you
• It’s far easier to get an appointment with your own MP than any other. Many MPs will only see their own constituents, especially if there is a separate large lobby that restricts their time. They might see you, however, if they are especially interested in the topic. You're still better off writing to them in advance.

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