Visiting your MSP or local candidate – 4 easy steps

 

Why should I visit my MSP or local candidate?
Your MSP is elected by you. They owe you their opinion and their time in listening to you. Without your vote, they are also out of a job. Politicians want to hear from their potential voters.

 

Visiting your MSP informs them of the issue, allows them to understand your position and can convince them that your position is the one they should adopt. It’s a very effective way of lobbying.

 

1. How to find your MSP

Full contact details for each MSP and information on MSP surgery times and locations is available from:

 

The Internet
www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/index.htm
Click on the individual member you are interested in to find their contact details

 

Your local library

 

Via the Scottish Parliament:
Holyrood
Edinburgh EH99 1SP

 

Or phone the Parliament Information Office: 0131- 348 5000

 

2. Contacting your MSP

Phone and make an appointment.

 

3. Visiting your MSP

Bring information about your issue and about the everyone campaign. Campaign information and full briefings on our campaign asks are available from the website. Alternatively, contact us and we can send copies to you. We can also send you campaign leaflets which you could present to the politician.

 

Be positive. Don’t try to embarrass or shame individual candidates. On the other hand, don’t be shy. Politicians want to hear your opinion.

 

Ask for something specific, something you would like your MSP to do.

 

Local issues are the best. These are the issues your local candidate can really relate to.  For example, the lack of cycling and walking networks in your area, the need to improve local school meals or issues relating to climate change, such as local flooding problems.

 

Mention the everyone campaign.

 

4. After the visit

Follow up your visit. If you don’t hear from your MSP, write and ask them if they have done what they said they would.

 

Let us know how you got on – we would appreciate a quick email or phone call to tell us what you discussed!

Contact us:
The everyone campaign
Scottish Environment Link
Parliamentary Office
3rd Floor
Gladstone’s Land
483 Lawnmarket
Edinburgh
EH1 2 NT

Phone: 0131-225 4345
Email: everyone@scotlink.orgeveryone@scotlink.org

 

Based on guide created by Friends of the Earth Scotland