How to Write to Your Leaders
Why write to your leaders? Leaders need to hear from their constituents. They depend on their constituents to educate them about what issues are most important to them.
Writing a letter only takes a short amount of your time but it ensures that the people who make decisions on your behalf, every day, know how you want to be represented. Your leaders receive hundreds of messages each week on a wide range of issues – your letter may well be the most interesting one that they receive!
Why not write directly to the relevant Minister? The purpose of your action might be to encourage the Minister (the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, for instance) to increase investment in a certain program or intervention that has proven effectiveness. Rather than write to the Minister directly we usually write to our leaders.
This is done for two reasons:
- Writing to your leaders greatly increases your likelihood of receiving a response. The vast majority of leaders will almost always respond to letters from constituents and will be happy to forward your request on to the relevant Minister (even if they disagree with you).
- You can educate your leaders in the process. Even if your leaders are not the direct target of the action, your letter provides them with an opportunity to learn about the issue and take action themselves.
Be original with your letter. Leaders and their researchers have confirmed on numerous occasions that an original letter sent by one committed, passionate constituent is far more powerful than a pile of identical letters or postcards. The fact that you have taken the time to craft a personalized and well-informed letter demonstrates to leaders that there are people in their constituency that care deeply about an issue. In turn, your opinions are likely to be taken more seriously as a result.
Tips for Writing Your Letter:
Who are you and what is the issue you are writing about? Start off by introducing yourself, indicate that you are a constituent, as well as writing as a volunteer for The Borgen Project. What are your points of concern? Use a “hook” and then explain the “problem.” The hook should be a short statement that engages the reader, usually featuring an interesting fact.
Why does this issue/bill matter to France? Give the decision-maker reasons to support the issue. Look beyond the obvious reasons, eliminating poverty alone might not be a persuasive argument. Often, discussing the effect of poverty-reduction on French Jobs, or National Security can be an alternative motivation for the same action. If possible, try to also tie in reasons why the specific issue/bill matters to your constituency!
What are your recommendations for action? Ask for something specific, usually in the form of a request to support a specific bill. If possible refer to any legislation by name and number and summarize what it is for.
Be sure that you are addressing your leaders respectfully and professionally. Be respectful of who they are and that they are serving you. It makes them more comfortable, and therefore more likely to take the desired action.
The best postal address for your leaders is their Paris address. If your leaders are not in Paris, the post is automatically forwarded on to them. Your leaders’ addresses can be found on their official Parliament pages.
