RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

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Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk

What can your MP do for you?

MPs rely on people like you to keep them informed of the issues that matter. The more letters they receive on a certain subject, the more likely they are to take action and pressure the Government for change. So if there is something that you really care about, get writing!

You can contact your MP to ask for help with a specific problem, or to tell them about an issue you feel strongly about. For example maybe your local lipreading class has been shut down or you have been waiting a long time to receive a hearing aid through the NHS. 
 
Your MP can help in a number of different ways, such as:

  • They can write to the relevant Minister to raise your concern with Government. 
  • They can highlight the issue in the House of Commons. They can do this by asking the Government questions, or by starting a debate on the issue.
  • If your MP becomes aware that your problem is a common one, he or she may table or sign an Early Day Motion (EDM) to express their concern about an issue. If they are really passionate about the issue they might try and introduce a Private Members Bill. While these Bills rarely become legislation, they are a good way of generating publicity.

How can I contact my MP?

It is essential that you write to your own MP and make sure you include your address so they know that you live in their area.

If you don't know who your MP is, you can find out on the Parliament website (external link).

The best way to contact your MP is to write to him or her at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Many MPs can also be contacted by email, but remember to include your postal address.

Top tips for letter-writing:

  • Be clear and concise. Try to focus on one issue, rather than listing a broad range of concerns.
  • Make specific requests about what you want your MP to do. Suggest for example that your MP writes to the relevant Minister, or asks a question in Parliament on the issue. Ask your MP to let you know what happens.
  • If the issue is close to your heart then say so. A short summary of your personal experience, or how the issue has affected a family member will make the issue more real to the MP.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you will be represented by a member of one of the devolved administrations, as well as by an MP in Westminster. Many issues, such as health, are now the responsibility of these administrations, so you should contact these individuals as well as your MP. In some cases, your MP will respond that you should take the issue forward solely with your representative of the relevant devolved administration.

Wales

If you live in Wales, you will be represented in the Welsh Assembly by five Assembly Members (AMs). The first of these AMs is your constituency AM, who represents your local area, and is elected to the Assembly by a 'first past the post system', in the same way that your MP is elected to Westminster. Your four other AMs are elected at a regional level, and represent a larger area than a constituency. Each region matches European Parliament constituencies. These AMs are elected through a form of proportional representation. This is why you have two votes in Welsh Assembly elections.

You can easily find out who your AMs are (external link, opens new browser window) and how to contact them over the internet. It is worth contacting all of your representatives as you may find that one of them has a personal interest in the issue that you are raising and could become a strong advocate for you.

Scotland

If you live in Scotland, you will also be represented in the Scottish Parliament by more than one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). In a similar system to Welsh Assembly elections, the public has two votes in Scottish Parliament elections; one for a constituency MSP and one that goes towards electing seven regional MSPs for each of Scotland's eight regions. Everyone in Scotland is therefore represented by eight MSPs.

You can easily find out who your MSPs are (external link, opens new browser window) and how to contact them over the internet. It is worth contacting all of your representatives as you may find that one of them has a personal interest in the issue that you are raising and could become a strong advocate for you.

Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland, you will be represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly by six Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Unlike the Welsh and Scottish systems, all six of your MLAs are elected from the constituency you live in and there is no regional MLA system. They are, though, elected by a proportional representation system.

You can easily find out who your MLAs are (external link, opens new browser window) and how to contact them over the internet. It is worth contacting all of your representatives as you may find that one of them has a personal interest in the issue that you are raising and could become a strong advocate for you.

Confused?

If you need help or advice about getting in touch with your MP, contact the Campaigns Team.