How to Lobby an MPJess Phillips MP for Birmingham Yardley

Before you startWhat do you want to Lobby them for?

MPs get hundreds of requests every day you need a definitive ask Research them what are their interests Research their constituency – find out data Look up what they might have said in the commons, how they might have voted –

Hansard search Prepare to flatter them – if you want to or not

What MPs can do for you

Ask Parliamentary questions Ask oral questions in the commons Support and promote your campaigns Lean on people for you EDM Private members bills Gain you media coverage Write articles for you

Different methods of Lobbying Pros and Cons

Arranging to meet with them face to face Arranging a visit to your centre or organisation Constituents concerns Turning up at their surgery Online petitions Going to the Commons – to the actual Lobby Social Media campaigns

What not to do

Don’t pester too much, but don’t let them fob you off Don’t be aggressive or confrontational Don’t take up too much time Don’t go to them for generic support, you will be the hundredth organisation that week

who has done that Don’t be limited to only your MP, but do respect some of the protocols they have to

stick to Don’t be the same as everyone else

What you should do

Make friends with the gatekeepers – MPs staff Work with them for mutual benefit – recognise what they might want Listen to them and brief them Follow up on your engagement with them – they will forget Include their constituents these are the people they care about pleasing Challenge them politely if they are wrong about something