How to get in touch

Although we've referred mostly to MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament) in this section, the advice here applies to writing to your MP (Member of Parliament) or your MEPs (Member of the European Parliament) as well.

It is generally more effective if you contact your MSP by letter or even by postcard. Many MSPs still measure public opinion on an issue by the number of letters they get about it. Writing an e-mail may not be as effective because MSPs know that it's much easier to send an e-mail on request and will consequently value e-mails less. You can even fax your MSP (or your MP, or MEP, or local councillor) using the WriteToThem website.

Plan out what you want to say. Make sure your letter is easy to read. Be brief - never go over two sides of A4, and keep to one side of A4 if possible. If you include a longer document explaining the issue in detail, always include a summary of it in your covering letter. Ask your MSP for a specific action - to support you on this issue in debate or in a vote, or to meet with you. Take a look at The plain English guide to writing letters.

Preferably, your letter should be typed or word-processed. If handwritten, again keep it short, and make certain it's easy to read. Always use black ink on plain white paper.

If the issue matters to you personally, say so. Give an example from your personal experience, or from the personal experience of your family or your partner. This makes the letter more likely to attract the MSPs attention and to get a personal reply.

Be polite.

Who should you write to?

If you are writing about a devolved issue, write to your MSP. You can find out who your MSPs are by entering your postcode at the Scottish Parliament's website or at the Fax Your MSP website.

If you are writing about a reserved issue, write to your MP. You can find out who your MP is by entering your postcode at the Guardian's Ask Aristotle website (which also provides a summary of the MP's past voting record) or at the Fax Your MP website or on the official House of Commons webpage.

(The Scottish Parliament website has a page outlining devolved and reserved issues.)

If you are writing about a European issue, write to your MEPs. You can find out who your MEPs are from the European Parliament website or at the Fax Your MEP website.

If you are writing about an issue being debated in the House of Lords, you will need to identify a peer by name to write to. You may find the House of Lords website useful: the WriteToThem website is offering an experimental service to help people identify an appropriate peer in the House of Lords, to whom you can then send a fax or a letter.

Addresses

To write to an MSP: Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP.

To write to an MP: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

To write to an MEP: Individual MEP contact details are available via the European Parliament website or from the European Parliament Information Office.

To write to a peer in the House of Lords: House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW.