MPs ensure our voices are heard in Parliament. They represent all residents in their local area (whether we voted for them or not) and can raise their concerns. Furthermore, they can vote on or ask questions about issues in Parliament, write to or meet with government ministers, and ask for a debate in Parliament.
We have recently written to Huw Merriman MP, who is the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, about police pay. We've told him about the impact a real terms pay cut (over the last decade) is having on you, our members. Now we're encouraging you to do similar and explain your personal concerns to your MP.
Who is my MP and how do I contact them?
You can find out who your local MP is by visiting www.theyworkforyou.com where you will also find their email address.
What should I include in my email?
Start by introducing yourself as one of their constituents. Include your (email) address so they can reply to you. Make your correspondence personal - explain how the real terms pay cut of more than 20 per cent since 2010 affected you. Keep it brief, keep it polite and ask your MP for a response.
We have provided a template below that you can adapt and send.
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[YOUR FULL ADDRESS]
[YOUR POSTCODE]
[DATE]
Dear [Name of your MP],
My names is [YOUR NAME] and I am a constituent of [YOUR CONSTITUENCY] as well as a serving police officer. I am writing to you today because I am concerned about police pay.
Police officers have suffered a real terms pay cut of more than 20 per cent since 2010. With this in mind, the suggestion of a 3.5% pay increase, as reported widely in the media, feels far from fair in the current climate.
This is something that's particularly important to me as [EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE CONCERNED AND GIVE EXAMPLES OR SHARE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES - FOR EXAMPLE, ARE YOU HAVING TO USE A FOODBANK, DOES MONEY KEEP YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT, ARE YOU LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVE CAREER OPTIONS?].
I am asking you to reflect the views of officers like me, who live in your constituency and who are facing serious financial challenges, in the formal and informal conversations you may be having about public sector pay.
In your response I would like you to outline the ways you intend to address this on my behalf. If you're unable to address this personally, I would like to request that you escalate my letter to the relevant Minister or department.
I would appreciate you keeping me informed of any progress made.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]