How to make best use of your MP
Notes of a talk given by Chris Loder MP at the Save The Parish Spring Conference April 2024
- Parish churches are a magnet for kindness and generosity, and of the joys and sorrows of generations past and present for centuries. They are a focus of community spirit, prayer, and friendship, and a haven of peace. They are cross-generational and cross-political.
- Parish churches are at risk—more so in rural than in urban areas. CL has seen this closely in his role as a churchwarden.
- It is not well understood that, as the Established Church, the governance of the Church of England is delegated by Parliament. CL has come to the conclusion that the Enabling Act that effected this delegation to the General Synod is not fit for purpose.
- Parliament’s support to safeguard Parish churches is needed, and so engaging with MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates is vital. The forthcoming General Election provides a strategic opportunity to increase the profile of STP’s campaign.
- The secret of success is for Parliament to understand better what churches offer to the community, what the campaign seeks to achieve, and what would happen if we didn’t have parish churches.
- As many STP supporters as possible are needed to write to their MPs and candidates. CL knows that MPs are not currently receiving many letters on this topic, since he himself doesn’t receive many. (CL confirmed that Parliamentary protocol is that you should only lobby your own Constituency MP.)
- The objective over the next six months should be to get MPs and candidates from all parties to endorse STP’s campaign.
A questioner asked what to do when the MP doesn’t want to engage—either doesn’t respond, or sends stock response? CL responded:
- MPs have a lot of demands on their time. The more people who write, the more pressure the MP/aspiring MP will feel to engage—so encourage others to write, too. Be persistent.
- If still struggling to get a response from an MP, contact CL directly as he may be able to help.
