We encourage our members and supporters to write to their MP about Fair Leave. At the moment, we need to raise the profile of the issue in Parliament, and make it clear to MPs that a lot of people care about the faults of the current system.
Why write to your MP?
We believe that Fair Leave has the potential to make a difference to the lives of hard-working families without imposing significant costs on employers. The introduction of Fair Leave can only happen when politicians not only accept that it would be a good idea, but that it is sufficiently important and / or popular to justify space in a busy Parliamentary timetable. Writing to your MP, whether in government or opposition can make MPs appreciate that there is support for a move that could make a very real difference.
Finding your MP
The easiest way to find out who your MP is, and to contact them, is through mySociety's excellent WriteToThem service. All MPs can be written to at the House of Commons, Westminster, LONDON, SW1A 0AA.
Most MPs have a website which may have an email address or contact box, as well as providing details of local surgeries where you can speak to your MP in person.
MPs will usually only take up issues raised by their own constituents. You will get the best response writing to your own MP and relevant ministers and shadow ministers.
Tips for writing to your MP
- Set out simply and clearly what changes you'd like to see, and why.
- Ask them to tell you what they will do to bring about these changes.
- Ask them to pass your message on to the relevant government Ministers (and if your MP is not Labour, also to the shadow Ministers or spokespersons in their party).
- Use your own wording. If you know several people in your constituency who support the campaign, it will make a big impact on your MP if they receive several different letters on the subject. Receiving several copies of the same letter will probably be no more effective than receiving one.
- If you have a bit more time to spare, look at your MP's voting and speaking record (TheyWorkForYou and PublicWhip make finding this out much less work) - perhaps they have supported previous personal freedom or equal rights issues in the past that you could reference in your letter.
- If you are in a constituency that might elect a new MP at the next general election (eg. a marginal seat or one where the sitting MP has said that they will stand down) you could also write to the prospective candidates for your constitutency. These are usually listed on party websites (but sometimes take a bit of finding)
- If you have any questions, join us on the mailing list or visit the Facebook group: we'll be happy to answer them.
Responses from MPs
If you write to your MP (and/or local opposition leaders), please let us know, either on the mailing list or Facebook group linked to above, or by emailing mps@equalrights.org.uk. If (hopefully when) they respond, please let us know about that too, as it will let us build up a picture of what MPs think.
