Have your say - Write to your MP

13 May 2008

Have your say

Write to your MP

You might not be old enough to vote. But there are other ways to make your views heard.

Your MP is there to represent you in Parliament, however old you are. But they can't do that unless they know what your views are. So tell them.

Does writing to your MP really make a difference?

Absolutely. Over 200,000 people across the UK wrote to their MP to support our Big Ask campaign.

Thanks to them the Government has introduced a climate change law that commits the UK to reducing CO₂ emissions. What a result!

If your MP receives one letter calling for action on climate change, she might just read it and move on.

But what if the next, and the next, and the next 1000 letters were the same? Then she would think 'Wow, I'd better support this, otherwise my constituents will vote me out in the next election!'

So what is important to you? Write to your MP to tell them. Then encourage your friends and family to do the same.

Top tips

• Give your view, ask them what they think and what they are going to do about the issue.
• Finish your letter with 'I look forward to your reply' otherwise they may not write back.
• Not happy with their answer? Don't be put off, write to them again.
• Remember, the more letters, the more likely they are to do something. So ask your friends and family to get involved.

If you get an exciting response, tell us about it.