This is a general guide on how to arrange a meeting with your local MP. The details specific to each NATFHE region will vary. Please coordinate with your regional office if you are planning to lobby your MP.

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 a local concern 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.

WHY?
Have a good idea as to why you are holding the lobby

• Do you want to raise one issue or many?
• Do you want to meet a group of MPs with a NATFHE delegation or on a one to one basis?
• Do you want to be part of a national agenda or keep to local issues and concerns?

WHEN?
Plan the date

• Arrange a date well in advance, eg three months away, as diaries get busy far in advance
• 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.

HOW?
Start to make arrangements

• Firstly, make contact with your local MP. A short letter requesting a meeting with a brief outline of why you would like to meet them is sufficient.
• Try and have a programme or agenda typed up for your lobby. If necessary, rehearse what you want to say, with lots of personal examples from a variety of NATFHE members to illustrate your points.
• Consider the timing of the meeting, cost and travel arrangements.

WHERE?

• The constituency office of the MP will be able to suggest locations and times which suit the MP for the size/type of meeting that you are holding.
• If you want to meet MPs at Westminster, you need to get one MP to help you book a room.
• Remember, 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.

WHO?
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.

USEFUL EXTRAS