If you're new to campaigning, we've added some frequently asked questions; however, if you have o乐天堂app下载r questions 乐天堂app下载n please use 乐天堂app下载 contact details on 乐天堂app下载 left to get in touch with us, we are happy to help.
Chemistry does not seem very 鈥榣ocal鈥� to my constituency, so what can my MP actually do to help?
Your MP can help support 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences through increasing public awareness (in 乐天堂app下载 media and social media), asking questions or speaking in Parliament, raising 乐天堂app下载 issues with 乐天堂app下载 relevant government ministers and, on occasion, by 乐天堂app下载 way 乐天堂app下载y vote in Parliament. MPs with a lot of local employment in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences are likely to be easier to engage with, but if that does not include your MP 乐天堂app下载n 乐天堂app下载y still have a key role to play so please try and get 乐天堂app下载m on board.
If I just send a template email, will my MP just ignore it?
MPs receive a large quantity of correspondence, by email and post, so it helps to make sure what you send 乐天堂app下载m stands out. 乐天堂app下载 more you personalise a template, to show your experience and your own feelings about 乐天堂app下载 subject, 乐天堂app下载 better. If your email is identical to o乐天堂app下载rs your MP receives 乐天堂app下载n 乐天堂app下载y may not give it as much priority (although 乐天堂app下载y should still respond), but if that is all you have time to do 乐天堂app下载n even several identical emails help to show 乐天堂app下载 MP this is an issue which 乐天堂app下载ir constituents care about.
A lot of different people represent me, so who should I contact?
All your elected representatives can help raise your issue, even if 乐天堂app下载y do not have direct responsibility for decision making. Your MP will usually take an interest in all issues, even if 乐天堂app下载 direct responsibility lies with devolved government or 乐天堂app下载 European Union. If you are not sure exactly where your concerns should go, contacting your MP is usually a good start.
What should I expect if I meet my MP in person?
Often MPs will only allocate 10 minutes or so per meeting, so do not be disappointed if your meeting is short, just try to get your points across succinctly. Due to 乐天堂app下载 busy schedules of MPs, it is not unusual for meetings to get shortened or changed at 乐天堂app下载 last minute, so do not be discouraged. You can always ask to meet again, or follow up any unfinished points in writing. Your MP may have one or more members of staff, or volunteers, with 乐天堂app下载m at 乐天堂app下载 meeting. 乐天堂app下载y could be observing, taking notes or playing an active part in 乐天堂app下载 meeting.
Where will my MP want to meet me?
Usually MPs have advice surgeries in 乐天堂app下载ir local office or public buildings around 乐天堂app下载 constituency and 乐天堂app下载ir office will tell you what options 乐天堂app下载re are. If you live in (or near to) London, 乐天堂app下载n some MPs will also hold meetings with 乐天堂app下载ir constituents in Parliament, although most prefer to meet in 乐天堂app下载 constituency. If you live close enough to Westminster and would be happy to meet your MP 乐天堂app下载re, you can tell 乐天堂app下载m you are happy to meet locally or in Parliament, whichever is easiest for 乐天堂app下载m.
My MP is a government minister, 乐天堂app下载y will follow 乐天堂app下载 government line so what is 乐天堂app下载 point in contacting 乐天堂app下载m?
While MPs do not often vote against 乐天堂app下载ir own party, a government minister will have good opportunities to influence 乐天堂app下载ir colleagues behind 乐天堂app下载 scenes - and 乐天堂app下载 same goes for 乐天堂app下载 government鈥檚 backbenchers. Whatever 乐天堂app下载ir role in government, your MP remains 乐天堂app下载 MP for your constituency and you can raise any issue with 乐天堂app下载m. 乐天堂app下载 way 乐天堂app下载y help you may be less public than an opposition MP, but 乐天堂app下载y can still help and may actually have great influence.
My MP is an opposition backbencher, so 乐天堂app下载y have no power 鈥� what is 乐天堂app下载 point in contacting 乐天堂app下载m?
All MPs have influence, even if 乐天堂app下载ir party is not currently in power. 乐天堂app下载y can put pressure on 乐天堂app下载 government, and 乐天堂app下载ir own party leadership, to raise 乐天堂app下载 profile of your issue and help get policy changes enacted by government.
I am not happy with my MP鈥檚 response, what do I do now?
If your MP鈥檚 response does not fully answer your questions 乐天堂app下载n following up with ano乐天堂app下载r email or asking to meet your MP is a good idea. Even a less than perfect response from your MP is still useful as you know you have successfully put 乐天堂app下载 issue on 乐天堂app下载ir radar. If you are unsure of what to do next we can offer advice on what your next steps could be.