Not sure how to lobby your MSP? Here are our top tips

It is vitally important now, more than ever, that the views and issues of rural communities are heard and discussed in the Scottish Parliament. People living in remote areas of Scotland often have to cope with daily issues such as rising fuel costs to heat their homes and poor transport links making travel for education and healthcare appointments hugely problematic, not to mention the rising cost of living, which is impacting all our rural communities. Most recently our rural way of life and livelihoods have been under attack with the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act and the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament. With a General Election looming in 2024, we must make it our top priority to lobby our MSPs now with the issues that matter most to you. 

It is vital that MSPs are made aware of the concerns of people in rural areas. This is best done by contacting your MSP directly and raising the issues that matter to you and your community with them. 

MSPs can be contacted by letter, email, telephone or a meeting arranged in Scottish Parliament, or locally at a constituency surgery. Find your MSP and their contact details here. Scottish Parliamentary rules mean that MSPs are only able to act on behalf of their own constituents so make sure you include your full name, address and postcode in any letter or email. As a constituent, you should expect to receive a response to your correspondence. 

To arrange a meeting, contact the constituency office or look on the MSP’s website. You can also telephone the MSP’s office in Holyrood by contacting the Scottish Parliament switchboard on 0131 348 5000 or 0800 092 7500 (freephone) and asking for your MSP by name.

For more information or guidance, please contact the Countryside Alliance political team at political@countryside-alliance.org or on 0207 840 9260.