27 Sep 2024
On Saturday 12 October, thousands of people from across the UK will meet with their MP(s) as part of The Climate Coalition’s Common Grounds Day of Action. Together, we’ll show our elected officials that people from all walks of life want to see strong climate action for a fairer future.
Let’s use this opportunity to advocate for an ambitious and fair climate plan that slashes emissions and benefits people.
Get involved and be part of a united movement for people, climate and nature.
Before the Day of Action
Invite your MP to meet with your group
Send an invitation to your MP (or multiple MPs if your group spans more than one constituency) as early as possible and ask them to meet with your group on 12 October. You can use our template invite.
If your MP isn’t available on 12 October, you can meet with them in the week leading up to and following the Day of Action.
Prepare for your MP meeting
It's always good to be prepared when you're meeting with your MP. Take these steps to get the most out of your meeting:
- Read through our guide to meeting your MP.
- Attend a training hosted by Hope for the Future and The Climate Coalition.
- Watch a recording of our webinar all about the Day of Action and how to talk to your MP about The Big Climate Plan.
- Reach out to us or your local staff contact if you need any support.
Order resources
Taking along posters to your MP meeting can help create an eye-catching photo. It also gives you something to ask MPs to hold to show their support for the campaign. Make sure to order resources well in advance, with plenty of time for delivery. You can pre-order posters now.
Please let us know you’re taking part in the Common Grounds Day of Action.
On the Day of Action
Meet your MP(s)
We need as many MPs as possible to advocate in parliament for a fair and ambitious climate plan. Use our guide to convince your MP to take action in support of a bold climate plan and commit to writing to Keir Starmer.
Organise a photo stunt
Don’t be disheartened if your MP doesn’t respond. Even by just inviting them to meet, you’ll have put our campaign demands on their radar. You can still take part in the day of action by organising a photo stunt outside the MP office with banners and campaign posters, in order to show our communities are united and support a bold and ambitious climate plan. You can follow up with them after 12 October to let them know what your group organised, as well as share photos and the MP briefing with them.
You can also use our template press releases to engage the local media. This will raise local awareness and help get your MPs attention for future conversations.
- Template: MP backs call for fair and ambitious climate action plan
- Template: MP urged to back call for fair and ambitious climate plan
Take photos
Whether you’re meeting with your MP or organising a stunt outside – make sure to take some photos.
Share your photos and consent forms with us so we can add them to our national gallery, showing the depth and breadth of support around the UK.
Social media
Use social media to raise awareness and add to the calls from people all around the UK on this day of action. Remember to share your photos, tagging your MP and @friends_earth.
Engage your email list in this day of action by asking them to share a template social post and tag your MP too.
See our social media guide for more top tips.
Engaging local media
Use our press release template to contact your local media after the action and include photos for them to publish. Depending on if you’ve met with your MP or not, we’ve created options you can tailor to fit.
Top tips for engaging the local media:
- Adapt our template press release so it feels relevant and personal to your local community.
- Ask your MP for a quote to include in your press release.
- Send your press release out after the 12 October alongside photos from the Day of Action.
Read our guide for how to get your campaign in the local media for more tips.
After the Day of Action
Congratulations on taking part in the Day of Action!
- Send us photos you took so we can include them in our national gallery. Make sure to send across consent to use the photos too, or we won't be able to use them.
- Follow up with your MP after the Day of Action to summarise what you talked about and next steps. Take a look at this guide for more information.
- Use the opportunity to grow your group. Let your mailing list know how your MP action went and share photos from the day.
- Join our next webinar on 30 October to share how it went and hear the next steps for this campaign.
If you’re have any questions, please get in touch with your regional staff contact or email [email protected]
