Getting political support

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

The Scottish Parliament has devolved powers. This means the parliament can pass laws and make decisions in certain areas, including housing.

You will have:

• 1 constituency MSP

• several regional MSPs

Your constituency MSP is the person who received a majority vote in your local area to represent you in parliament. The regional MSPs have also been voted in by people in your larger area and represent different parties.

Most MSPs are in their local area on Fridays. This is often when they hold their surgery. A surgery is a chance for people in the local area to meet their MSPs and raise any issues they have.

See if they have supported similar issues in the past by looking at their:

• social media accounts

• voting history

• speeches in parliament

Members of Parliament (MPs)

Everyone in the UK will have 1 MP who represents them at Westminster. Your MP is the candidate that your community selected to represent them.

Most MPs hold surgeries in their local area on Fridays, giving you a chance to meet them and highlight your issues.

Councillors

You are also represented by councillors at a local government level. Local government can make decisions on things like housing and planning.

Scotland has 23 local authorities, known as councils. Each council is split into wards. Each ward is made up of 3 or 4 councillors, who have been voted in by the local community.

It's best to get in touch with your councillors to check the days and times of their surgery.
You can usually find your councillors’ contact details on your council’s website.

A personal letter outlining your campaign and asks can make a big difference.

Include your name and address

This is especially important if you are writing to a politician. This helps them check that you are a constituent in their area.

Keep it short

Try to keep anything you send to an A4 page or less. Focus on your key campaign issues and asks.

If you feel you need to have more information, you can attach an extra document with all the information. This is known as a briefing paper.

Make it personal

Facts and figures do have a place, but your decision maker will likely pay more attention to a personal and passionate call to action. You can include a personal testimony or a quote in your letter. If you’ve surveyed local residents you could say: 'we have surveyed residents in our area, and the vast majority of them have experienced this issue.'

Stick to the key points

Before you write your letter, start by writing a list of the key points you want to get across.

Try to keep the letter focussed on:

• the issue

• how it's affecting you and your group

• what the solutions are

• how your recipient can help

Have a clear ask

Be clear about what you are asking your recipient to do.

Do they have the power to influence this issue, or if you need them to put pressure on someone else?

You can also include when you need a response by.

Make it easy to read

Avoid using any jargon. Your letter should be clear, succinct and easy to read.

Add relevant background information

For example:

• how long the issue has been going on for

• when and why your group was formed

• any past actions relating to the issue

Check for accuracy

Read over your letter and check your spelling. Double check your recipient's name, title and contact details are correct.

Include any positive connections

If you know of anything that your recipient has already done to fix the issue or support similar campaigns mention it in your letter.

Meeting a politician or other decision maker helps raise awareness of your housing issue and push for change.

Do your research

Find out a bit about your politician ahead of your meeting.

Have a few dates in mind

Politicians’ diaries are often full weeks in advance so it's important to plan ahead.

Start by knowing when your politician is likely to be free (MSPs and MPs are usually in their constituency on Fridays). Then agree on 2 or 3 dates and times that work for your group. This means you can be flexible around your politician’s diary.

Know how to contact them

Email or phone is usually the best way to arrange a meeting. Or you can attend a drop-in surgery.

Do not be disappointed if you reach out and do not hear directly from your target. It's common for secretaries and researchers to plan in meetings and events, so you are likely to hear from them in the first instance.

Making the meeting request

When you contact your politician to request a meeting, include information about your group and what it is you want to discuss. If you have specific questions you want them to answer, let them know in advance. This will give them time to prepare a more informed response.

Write a briefing paper

Try to keep your briefing paper down to an A4 sheet with the key points that you plan to get across in your meeting. Keep this handy in your meeting.

You can choose to send your politician your briefing paper ahead of your meeting.

Prepare your key asks and actions

You want their support, but you also want them to take action. For example, you can ask them to:

• publicly support your campaign

• encourage others to support your campaign

• make a statement in parliament

• push for a change in law or policy

Include your asks in your briefing paper and ask them at the meeting.

Prepare your counter-arguments

Discuss as a group what responses your politician might have to your campaign asks, both positive and negative. Spend some time thinking of possible ways to respond and have them prepared.

Practice makes perfect

You could set aside one of your campaign group meetings to practise what you want to say to help everyone feel confident before the meeting.

Be early

Be prepared to meet later or earlier than planned. A tip is to plan to be ready 30 minutes before your meeting, to allow for any flexibility needed.

Be honest

Be honest if you, or a group member, are asked a question during the meeting that you're not sure of the answer to. Answering incorrectly could lose credibility for your campaign. Instead explain that you will need to come back to them on this point, and email them as soon as you can after your meeting with more information.

Share it on social media

Use your meeting as a photo opportunity. You could ask your politician for a photo with you, and post it on social media (remember to tag them). If you have a campaign hashtag, use that too!