The Big Month in Action

1 September 2006

Karen Liebenguth had a meeting planned with her MP since August - she went along with three other people, whom she had met through the Big Ask. Big Month. Big Lobby message board.

We asked her about how her meeting went with Neil Gerrard MP for Walthamstow.

What were your thoughts?

Neil Gerrard MP

I was quite anxious, and was worried that I wouldn't have sufficient arguments to debate with my MP.

How did you arrange it?

I'd booked a meeting slot as far back as the start of August. However, not wanting to go alone, I placed a note on the message board for my constituency and met up with three other people before hand.

How did the meeting go?

As we got a positive response from him early in the meeting, we ended up talking about a variety of other topics. We got so side-tracked that we had to remember to nail him down to a definite commitment to write the letter before we left!

What was said at the meeting?

Although he was basically supportive, he was also quite fatalistic about the effects which such year on year reductions would have, considering India's and China's increasing emissions.

We stressed, however, the historical responsibility which the UK has for much of the carbon dioxide emitted over the last two hundred years, since the start of the Industrial Revolution.

We tried to keep the debate on a personal level, as we didn't feel equipped to go into detail on the heavy science.

Karen Liebenguth

Have you got any tips for other lobbyists?

Having a pre-meeting with my fellow lobbyists before we went in to see the MP really helped, as did rehearsing responses to points of contention which the MP might have.

Would you recommend this to others?

We all felt really empowered by going to see our MP, as if we were doing something really important. And despite the initial nerves, it was actually so easy!

Press for change

Inspired by Karen's story? Then please take part in the Big Ask Big Month Big Lobby! Find out all you need to know.