The General Election is just two weeks away and this election period is a great opportunity to raise issues we care about with the people who will soon form the new UK parliament. This is one of the best times to speak to your future MP, so we’re sharing some advice on how to get in touch with and be heard by your local candidates.
Who are my candidates and how do I contact them?
Some candidates might drop leaflets through your letterbox or even come and knock on your door, but the best and easiest way to find out who all your local candidates are is to visit the website Who Can I Vote For? and enter your postcode.
You will find a full list of candidates with links to their websites and ways you can contact them (such as via email or social media). You may wish to write your own letter or email to candidates, which can include asking them to commit to doing something about particular issues.
At the Jo Cox Foundation, we are asking candidates to sign our Civility Pledge and commit to setting a more respectful, civil and compassionate tone in politics. We are seeing the shocking impact of abuse towards elected representatives and candidates, many of whom have experienced abuse such as threats to themselves or family members. Unfortunately, research from the Electoral Commission in 2023 indicates that abusing elected representatives is increasingly deemed to be acceptable, with 75% of those who are 75+ saying that verbally threatening an MP in public is totally unacceptable, compared to just 32% of 18–24-year-olds.
Through the Jo Cox Civility Commission, we are advocating for a range of recommendations to address abuse and intimidation in politics. Some of these recommendations relate to the vital role politicians themselves have to play in setting the tone of political discourse and modelling appropriate behaviour, which is why we are asking parliamentary candidates to sign up to the Civility Pledge and demonstrate the importance of running a respectful campaign in the run-up to this election.
What if I want to speak directly to candidates?
You may want to consider attending a local hustings event. Hustings are events where all the candidates come and debate certain issues and answer questions from the audience. They are usually organised by local community or faith groups and you can find out about them by checking local Facebook or other social media pages, by searching your area or constituency name and looking at posters in local public spaces such as libraries, supermarkets, and community spaces. Going along to a hustings gives you the opportunity to ask questions yourself or just hear directly from candidates and meet them in-person.
Whichever way you choose to engage with your parliamentary candidates, by email, social media or at a hustings or other public event – this is a crucial opportunity to put the issues that matter to you and your community on the agenda of whoever will be your next MP.
Ask your candidates to sign the Civility Pledge
If you’re getting in touch with local candidates and, like us, want to see a respectful election campaign, why not ask them to share their commitment to this by signing the Civility Pledge? By signing, candidates agree to:
- Use a civil and constructive tone in debate
- Act with integrity, honesty and compassion
- Behave respectfully towards others, including those I disagree with
You can find template social media posts and emails ready to send to candidates on the Civility Pledge webpage.
Abuse and intimidation of our elected representatives – including violence towards them – is one of the biggest threats to our democracy in the UK.
In the run-up to the 2024 General Election on 4 July, we are urging candidates to commit to running a respectful campaign by signing and sharing the Civility Pledge. Through the election and beyond, we are also campaigning for the implementation of our Jo Cox Civility Commission recommendations to ensure abuse has no place in politics.