Three people standing outside holding Cut the Crap campaign cards

How to prepare for a meeting with your politician

Meetings with politicians are a great way to share your experience of living with Crohn’s or Colitis and encourage them to push for change. It gives them an opportunity to ask questions and gives you an opportunity to explain why our early diagnosis campaign matters to you.

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Many politicians often have busy schedules, so you may only have a short time to discuss the campaign with them. Planning for the meeting is the best way to make it a success. Here are our tips on what to do before, during and after the meeting.

Don’t forget you can always reach out to us at policy@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk for help!

“I have been particularly impressed by the adults and young people living with Crohn’s and Colitis who have spoken so eloquently and bravely at meetings about how these conditions have touched every aspect of their lives.”

Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow

Before the meeting

Make a note of what you want to tell them. Use our Early Diagnosis brief which sets out the facts, latest research and our all to action.
Set a goal. Think about what you want them to do following the meeting. We have some suggestions on how they can help our campaign.
Think about what questions they might ask. It could be helpful to make some notes on your experience to refer to in the meeting. You do not need to know everything. You could suggest they reach out to our policy team or follow up after the meeting.

During the meeting

Be polite. Even if you disagree with them on other issues. Politicians are there to represent all their constituents, not just those that voted for them.
Make a note of key points and actions. This will help you know what to ask them for updates on.
Stay in touch. Ask them to update you on the progress they’ve made on the actions you discussed.

After the meeting

Get in touch to say thank you. This will leave a good impression and gives you an opportunity to follow up with any more information. You can also remind them of the actions your agreed.
Keep the dialogue going. Let them know about our campaign updates by signing up here.
Tell us about your experience. We would love to hear how the meeting went and any actions or outcomes. Let us know by e-mailing policy@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

Ask your politician to back our campaign

To help them understand the importance of early diagnosis you can share your story and our policy brief. You could also ask your politician to:

Pledge their support to our campaign.

Meet you alongside Crohn’s & Colitis UK. This gives us an opportunity to discuss the matter in more detail and share evidence to help them make the case for change.

Write to their local health leaders and share our policy brief. This letter template will help them find the right words.

Raise a parliamentary question – these can either be written or oral and let the Government know that people care about improving diagnosis for people with Crohn’s and Colitis and want them to do more. You can find some recommended questions here.