Writing to politicians

Letter writing is a great way to have your say. It shows a politician that you are serious about an issue and allows you to outline your key ideas without pressure.

Writing a letter often guarantees a response (even if it's not the answer you wanted!).

Politicians you may want to write to include:

• Your local Member of Parliament (MP)
• The minister responsible for the issue (for example, Minister for the Environment)
• Your local council representatives (at city, regional or district councils)

What to include in the letter

• Provide evidence of local support for your issue (like a signed petition)
• Include relevant newspaper clippings or a briefing paper on the issue
• Ask your representative to take action or request a meeting with them
• Ask for a response to your letter

Tips for effective letter writing

• Present a clear and reasonable argument
• Put the date and address of the person you're writing to on the top left hand side of the page
• Keep to one issue per letter
• Do your homework on the issue - you don't want to be caught out with the wrong information
• Keep it short and simple (maximum 400 words)
• Use short sentences - bullet points can make your views easier to summarise
• Define the problem and offer solutions
• Call for action
• Ask questions that require specific answers
• Check your spelling and grammar before posting the letter
• Always sign the letter and print your name and address below your signature
• Keep all your letters and responses for reference
• If you do not receive a response, follow up with a phone call
• If their response does not address the issue or answer your question, write again and ask them to clarify their response - don't let them ignore the problem!