Communications Tools & Resources
LEVELS OF COMMUNICATION
The more personal the communication, the more effective it is.
In-person:
This is the most effective communication. Insist on meeting with your MP and prepare for the meeting. Have follow-up meetings.
Telephone:
This is the second most effective. Even if meeting in person, have follow-up calls. Have calls on different subjects and on the MP’s actions. Telephone calls with staff members are also effective. Speak to them about the issues as if they were the MP.
Personal letter:
A handwritten letter is the third most effective communication. If it is not handwritten, as long as it is clearly a personal letter and signed, it is almost as effective. And there is no limit on the number of letters you write. If 1000 people commit to a letter a week to all 338 MPs, that is 1000 letters a week to all Mps.
Pre-written letter (which you have added to):
Pre-written letters, like ones on the NCI site, if added to by you, are lower than personal letters.
Email:
Email is the lowest form because it is the easiest. Better than nothing, but less effective.
Mail and Fax Letters:
Do this for each letter and you get two letters to them in a physical form.
Use all levels of communication outlined here. The idea is for your communications to make clear that you are passionate about the issue. So passionate that you are communicating on such a scale that the MP and staff have never experienced this before.
Make it clear this is a voting issue for you!
Remember:
The whole point is to make it clear you are a concerned citizen who will not go away until the MP solves the problem.
Talk to your Member of Parliament
Meet with your member of parliament.
Meeting in person is the most effective communication. Insist on meeting with your MP and prepare for the meeting. Have follow-up meetings.
Call your MP.
Do this over and over through the campaign. For tips on how to have an effective meeting with your MP, see below.
Write multiple letters to MPs.
See below for addresses and instructions for writing to your MP, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and, if you are willing, other MPs.
Communicating With Your MP
Don’t be afraid!
Some people are afraid of meeting with their MP. Don’t be. Remember that your MP is representing you, so they need to understand your expectations.
You are there to clearly communicate what you want and why. You have educated yourself about these issues, so share what you know.
Make it clear!
Make it clear that this is a voting issue, and that you will not vote for the MP unless they do all they can on your demands. If you are going to join their party riding association let them know. And let them know that if they do not do what you want, you will not be voting for them when they seek the party riding nomination to run in the next election.
Look up your MP’s constituency address
It is important to send a letter to your MP at both their House of Commons address and their Constituency Office. You can find their Constituency Office here:
Download our pre-designed Postcard and mail it to your member of parliament! No postage necessary!