Campaigning - MPs and MEPs

Ecumenical Development Briefing Papers

Papers for churches: Writing to M.P.s

These are a few suggestions for people wishing to write to their M.P.s. They can of course be adapted to Members of the European Parliament and to Local Councillors

Check that you are writing to the M.P. who represents your constituency. If you are unsure of their name or the area they cover, ring the House of Commons Information Line on 0207 219 4272. It is also worth checking with them the exact spelling of their name, their title and their constituency address. An M.P. is expected to answer correspondence from constituents. They do not usually respond to letters from the constituents of other Members of Parliament. M.P.s can be written to at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. .

Our current Members of Parliament are Anne Snelgrove (Labour, Swindon South) and Michael Wills (Labour, Swindon North).

1. If your concerns relate to the work covered by of one of the Ministers, the best way to express them is to write to your constituency M.P. and ask them to pass on your concerns to the relevant Minister. Letters sent direct to the Prime Minister or other members of the Cabinet will not necessarily receive a response. However, your M.P. should receive a response to their letter, which they will pass on to you.

2. Always be courteous. Most of our M.P.s are hardworking and conscientious. They should be given credit for their own action to date. Helpful Government actions in your area of concern should also be acknowledged.

3. Be clear, concise and to the point. M.P.s get a huge postbag. A brief, legible letter which sets out the main points clearly will be helpful and is likely to get a more effective response.

4. It is best not to engage in party political debate. A Constituency M.P. once elected is there to represent all members of the constituency, and while they have party loyalties, they have a duty at least to address your concerns. If you are writing on an issue of social concern, party political discussion may lead to a lack of clarity. Even if you object strenuously to the politics of your M.P., you are writing to them in their role as a public representative.

5. If you are writing on a contentious issue, avoid abuse of the persons or organisations that may take a different moral stance to yourself. Although you may disagree with them heartily, there is every likelihood that they see themselves as operating from a morally and socially responsible position. Your M.P. will be more impressed if you stick to your arguments and put them clearly rather than engage in debate with persons not present.

6. If you have specialist knowledge of the subject about which you are writing, add it, perhaps on a separate paper. M.P.s cannot be experts on everything and are grateful to constituents who are able to highlight the details of specific concerns in a knowledgeable way. If you produce a paper of this kind, give references to where further information may be found so your M.P. can see that you are well informed and where he or she can undertake further research should they find it important.

7. If you are not satisfied by the response from your M.P., feel free to write again, highlighting the areas where you feel progress or discussion has not taken place. It is also worth thanking them, and pointing out your approval of work they have undertaken to date. You can also suggest that you meet with your M.P either individually or in a group. If you wish to meet individually, the best way is to attend one of the M.P.s constituency surgeries. These occur approximately every fortnight. The House of Commons switchboard on 020 7219 3000 will put you through to the M.P.?s own number where you can find details of where and when such surgeries will take place. Alternatively, their Party Constituency Office may provide this information for you. If you want to meet as a group, most M.P.s use Friday as a constituency day.

8. Finally please remember that M.P.s are contacted by large numbers of people on all kinds of issues. In addition to their direct Parliamentary work they often sit on Select Committees or engage in overseas work for the Government. They may not always be available when you want them. They also have a private life and go on holidays! They are human beings, they are usually approachable, and they are likely to be willing to engage in discussion with their constituents.

Factsheets are produced by the House of Commons Information Service
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Writing to MEPs

Ecumenical Development Briefing Papers

Papers for Churches: Writing to M.E. P.?s

MEPs are Members of the European Parliament. They are elected from all of the Member States of the European Union. They represent national interests and also regional interests where relevant, in the European Parliament which meets in Brussels.
? In England MEPs no longer individually represent constituencies. Each Region functions as a large Constituency returning several MEPs.
If you have an issue to take up with an MEP you can write to any or all of these people. Each one is there to represent you. In practice they will have certain specialisms. They can be contacted at:

The European Parliament,
Rue Wiertz,
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium.

Swindon is in the South-West Region of England.

For further information telephone 020 72 274300 or look it up on the web at www.europarl.org.uk. The phone number for the European Parliament in Brussels is 003222 842111.

General Guidelines for letters to MEPs are the same as for MPs. However, you can send a letter to all the MEPs representing your region. You can also ask them to take up an issue with the relevant Minister for the European Parliament. You may also wish to copy your letter to them direct. For example, copies of letters on issues of international concern can be sent to the Secretary-General of the Council of the E.U. and High Representative for the Common, Foreign and Security Policy. The information line number in London above can keep you up-dated on changes. Back to top