Lobbying your MP is a really good way of conveying members' concerns to a person who may be in an immediate position to help. An MP is elected to listen to constituents, so make sure that those who meet the MP are either living or working in the constituency. You might want to use the experience of local NATFHE members to illustrate a national issue, or you may have local concerns at college or university which you would like your MP to help you with.

At past NATFHE lobbies, MPs undertook to raise issues in the House of Commons, meet with college principals and write to ministers on behalf of members. Sometimes, just a few personal communications of this type will raise the profile of a NATFHE issue and help to make changes for the benefit of all our members.

Remember that it is important that all lobbying efforts are coordinated regionally so let your region or head office know what you’re planning

To find out information about your MP see Find out more about your MP and for advice about writing to your MP see writing to you MP

Have a good idea as to why you are holding the meeting/lobby

• Will you be meeting the MP on your own or with other members?
   
• Do you want to meet a group of MPs with a NATFHE delegation?
   
• Do you want to raise one issue or many?
   
• Do you want to be part of a national agenda or keep to local issues and concerns?

Start to make arrangements

• Firstly, make contact with your local MP/MPs. A short letter requesting a meeting with a brief outline of why you would like to meet them is sufficient.
   
• Plan the date - arrange a date well in advance, eg three months away, as diaries get busy far in advance
   
• Be flexible with date and time.
   
• Explain the nature of the meeting. Will it be a meeting one on one meeting in the constituency or in Westminster? Will it be a lobby? Are you inviting more MPs? What topics will you be discussing?
   
• Try to ensure that it does not clash with other events.
   
• You may find that there are complementary days to hold your event, eg a debate in Parliament, the launch of a national initiative etc. 
    
• If your MP is a Minister, it is best to contact them at their constituency address and not contact them at their Ministerial Department.
   
• It is better to contact the MP whose constituency you live in rather than the one where you work (assuming they are different). Remember you are a voter, so an MP will be more likely to take notice of one of his/her constituents rather than another MP's.
   
• Be brief and concise when explaining why you want to meet him/her.
   
• Ask if they will confirm the meeting in writing.
   
• Try and have a programme or agenda typed up for your meeting/lobby. If necessary, rehearse what you want to say, with lots of personal examples from a variety of NATFHE members to illustrate your points.
   
• The constituency office of the MP will be able to suggest locations and times which suit the MP for the size/type of meeting/lobby that you are holding.
   
• If you are arranging a lobby, you might need to get an MP to help you book a room.
   
• If you expect a large turnout to a meeting/lobby, be realistic with numbers. Slightly underestimating the turnout actually works well - if the room is too large, it can be very demoralising; a room which is slightly crowded looks better.

If arranging a lobby, ensure good representation of members from your area

• Invite reps from local branches. Give Branch Secretaries plenty of time to circulate information about the lobby and find interested people. Try to encourage new/different members to join in.
   
• Ensure members have time off approved by the Principal/Chancellor

• Be punctual - MPs are busy people and if you are late you may not get to see them at all.
   
• When you arrive at the meeting ask how much time is available.
   
• Get straight to the point!
   
• If you are meeting with your MP with other members, have a role for each visitor and tell the MP who is coming.
   
• Have a crib sheet of your two or three main points written down and take them with you to the meeting.
   
• Be prepared for counter arguments.
   
• Offer the MP something in writing outlining the points you have made. If the information is not to hand send it promptly after the meeting.
   
• Ask them what they can do for you.
   
• Wear name badges/NATFHE stickers: this establishes a union identity and makes you easily identifiable for your MP.
   
• Distribute NATFHE publications to MPs on the day for information eg a campaign pack, newsletters or The Lecturer.

• Always write to thank your MP(s) after the meeting and make sure you follow up on any promises that they have made to you, for example, asking questions in Parliament or writing to the Secretary of State on your behalf. They should send you copies of any correspondence.
   
• Send copies of all correspondence to your region and head office - [email protected].
   
• If the MP has agreed to write to the Minister, ask for a copy of that letter to be sent to you.
   
• Let the members of your branch/region know the outcomes from the meeting.
   
• Keep in touch with your MP, informing him/her of any new information relating to the issue previously discussed - always keep it relevant and to the point.