You can meet your MP in your local area. We recommend that you phone or write to your MP to request a meeting. You can call the House of Commons switchboard on 020 7219 3000 and ask to be put through to your MP’s office to book an appointment. If you choose to write, you could base your letter on our template. You will need to adapt it for your own situation.
Alternatively, your MP will hold drop-in ‘surgeries’ in different places around your area. You can just turn up to one of these surgeries for a short meeting with your MP. You may have to wait a long time. To find out where and when your MP is holding a surgery near you, you can:
- Call the House of Commons switchboard on 020 7219 3000. Ask to be put through to your MP’s office. Staff in your MP’s office will be able to tell you about surgeries
- Ask at your local library or town hall
Before your meeting, plan what it is you want to say. Try to be clear about what it is you want your MP to do. Remember that your MP is busy and that you will probably only have around 15 minutes for your meeting. Planning ahead helps to make the meeting efficient and effective.
Tell your MP about your experiences with the national concessionary bus pass scheme and how changing the national concession would benefit you. Ask your MP for assistance in persuading the Government to change the national concession. If your MP agrees to help, make sure that you understand what he or she is going to do.
You can talk to your MP about other issues that Parliament or central Government have responsibility for. These include national policies on transport, benefits, pensions, taxes, immigration, education, health and social care, security, regeneration and planning, employment, etc.
Your MP can also influence local services. So your MP might be willing to discuss any additional local concessions that your local authority could offer.
Your MP cannot usually intervene in private disputes between you and other individuals or companies or with court decisions.
After your meeting, write a short (one-page) letter thanking your MP. Summarise the key points of your discussion. Mention any agreed action points. This means that your MP cannot forget what was agreed. It also makes your MP feel positive about meeting you. It's always nice to be thanked! If you like, you can base your letter on the template. You will need to adapt it for your own situation.
If you agreed to do anything, such as send your MP further information, make sure you do it. If your MP agreed to do something after the meeting, chase it up if you do not hear in a reasonable time.
