How to engage with your MPs

Make your MP work for you! Your MP is your connection to Canberra and represents you there, so get them working on the issues you care about. You don’t have to be an expert. The simple fact that you care is a good enough reason to contact a politician. It’s important for them to know what we think and what we want them to do on climate issues – and they don’t know unless we tell them!

This page is designed to give you some encouragement and guidance to get you started by writing to your MP. There are more resources to help you with calling or visiting your MP, and taking other actions on the following page.

More ways to engage with your MPs

Why write?

The word from insiders in MPs’ offices is that emails and letters are taken very seriously – and counted! For everyone who takes the time to raise an issue with them, they know there are many more people who feel the same way. If they receive lots of correspondence on a particular issue, it will be discussed in policy meetings and can have an effect on decision-making.

MPs are supposed to respond to all communications from their constituents, but they are much more likely to sit up and take notice of a personal email or letter as it shows their constituent cares enough to take the time.

You don’t have to be an expert. Keep it short (a page or less) and personal. Write what you feel. Explain why the issue matters to you and, most importantly, what you want your MP to do about it.

If you'd like to have some company while you're writing, join one of our MPEGs (MP Engagement Groups)! And to receive regular tips, issue briefings and event information to help you engage with your MPs subscribe to our monthly MPEG News Update

Here are some examples, tips and issues to get you started!

We’ve prepared some issue briefings on current important climate issues for you – each briefing has a summary and background notes with suggested questions to ask, who to send it to and an email example of how to do it. Choose an issue that appeals to you, click on the photo, and go for it!

Then, when your MP replies (or doesn't!), follow up and keep them accountable – check out the tips in the speech bubbles below.

When you've written or spoken to your MP, we'd love to know. We're heartened that so many people and organisations use Climate for Change's issue briefings and other resources. However, we need more funding to keep up the work. To apply for grants its crucial that we can demonstrate our impact. So, please, whenever you contact or engage with an MP (email, meeting or call) log your contact here:

Log your contact with elected reps here!