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General guidelines for contacting politicians
Whether you are writing, faxing, emailing, phoning or visiting a political representative, it is imperative that you present what you want to say (and what action or follow up you would like to see) as clearly and concisely as possible. You may have a great deal to say, but MPs, MEPs, Ministers and others often do not have a great deal of time to read, so keep it brief and to the point. Sending pages of material is more likely to put someone off rather than make them listen. Include one or two brief illustrative facts but don’t insert masses of detail. Always remain polite and don’t resort to inflammatory or insulting language as this will only alienate your reader.
Contacting your MP
Who is my MP?: To find out which constituency you are in, who your local MP is or how to contact them, you can go to http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ or http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/
Alternatively you can ask the House of Commons Information Service on 020 7219 4272 or email hcinfo@parliament.uk or visit their website at http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/commons/hcio/.
Alternatively please go to http://www.writetothem.com/ to get in touch with your MP. You can also contact your Councillors, MEPs, MSPs, or Welsh and London Assembly Members via this site.
Write: In addition to writing to your MP at his/her constituency address, you can also write to them at their House of Commons office:
(name) MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Telephone: Tel: 020 7219 3000 to contact the House of Commons Switchboard and ask for your MP’s Office)
Face to face: When the House of Commons is sitting, you can make an appointment to see your MP face to face. If it is more convenient, you can also make an appointment to meet your MP in your constituency. MPs hold regular constituency surgeries – details of these will be in your local paper, posted at your local library, or contact your local Party office for details.
Contacting the Home Office
The Home Office licences animal experiments in the UK. You can contact the Home Office about any issue regarding animal experiments:
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
Telephone: 020 7035 4848 (09:00-17:00 Mon-Fri)
Fax: 020 7035 4745
Website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk
Or you can send an email at: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Contacting your MEP
The European Parliament forms a major part of the EU decision-making process. Decisions (including new Directives) agreed by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from all member states, go on to be made law in the UK. So MEPs are important to both the UK and EU agenda.
The UK is divided into twelve regions, each of which will be represented by not one but a group of MEPs. Please visit http://www.writetothem.com/ or http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch.do?language=EN to find out who your MEPs are and contact them directly.
Alternatively you can write to your MEP at the UK office of the European Parliament at:
European Parliament (UK Office)
2 Queen Anne’s Gate
London SW1H 9AA
Tel: 020 7227 4300
Email: eplondon@europarl.eu