Letter to your new MP
My new MP
The problems are there for all to see: in the chaos over Brexit, in our inability to respond to the climate crisis and in an economic system that keeps failing.
These are all symptoms of the same disorder: the way we make decisions isn’t working. Our democratic system is in urgent need of renewal.
That's why we are going to send every MP a letter on their first day at work asking them to prioritise this important work. The letters will be so much more powerful where they include the names of their constituents. Please sign this letter today and your name.
Whoever your new MP is, they'll get a letter from their constituents on their first day in the office.
Sponsored by
To:
My new MP
From:
[Your Name]
Dear MP,
Please accept our congratulations on your success at the election. As your constituents, we know you will be brimming with hope and ambition to do the best for all your constituents and the country and we wish you well.
We write because we have serious concerns about the state of our democracy. The system is dysfunctional and out of date: it requires urgent attention.
As it stands, power is too far away from citizens — even from you as a new MP. Your power cannot be used properly when the rules of our democracy are so unclear and public understanding of them is so weak.
This isn’t the fault of the players: it’s not you, it’s the system. It encourages the use of power for short-term gain. It encourages competition instead of the collaboration needed to meet our collective long-term goals.
The demands placed on you in the coming months will be great. But to find a Brexit resolution in a way that re-unites the country, to build a robust and fair economy and to address the climate emergency, we need a democratic system that works.
We need a democracy in which representatives and citizens work in partnership, rather than in opposition. A democracy in which every citizen can access power and be a part of making this country better. A democracy governed by transparency, openness and fairness.
This is why we - together with thousands more across the country - are calling for a Citizens’ Convention to renew and reinvigorate our democracy. We support a deliberative process that has worked in other countries, one trusted to create clear recommendations for the way forward .
The plan to deliver such a Convention already exists: Kings College London has the blueprint for how to do it at www.ccukdemocracy.org. What is needed now is the mandate from you and your colleagues from across the House, united in the belief that our democracy is priceless and needs renewing.
Many have already signed up to back the Convention - we are asking you to join them.
We hope you will support the campaign for a Citizens’ Convention.
Our very best for all your efforts over this parliament,