Speaking out to MPs helps make your mark

05-Dec-2011 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 18:58 GMT

Related tags Mp Government

Michael Kheng: 'Speak to your MP'

At November’s Institute of Licensing National Training Event in Birmingham, I found the talk by the Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP very interesting. She spoke about the importance of the industry engaging with Parliament and Government — and this meant everyone, not just organisations and groups.

I am frequently in contact with my local MPs as I feel our work does matter to politicians. Love them or hate them — if they don’t hear from you, they won’t know what your concerns are.

But one thing I have not really thought about is how you actually deliver your concern to your MP.

The MPs working for the government of the day will be keen to support government policy and therefore may be unwilling to ask ministers some questions, whereas opposition MPs will be open to undertaking this.

Both sides of the House will approach your concern from a different angle, so when you engage with your MP you need to think about where they will be coming from.

Timing also plays a key part: you need to ensure that you talk to them before the debate takes place, and not after. The trade press and internet are great sources of information and key dates are normally well-publicised.

“Why do I need to talk to my MP?” is a good question. In my opinion, if you don’t, you can’t complain when things don’t go the way you want them to.

So how do you engage with your MP? You can try inviting them to your outlet, using any available opportunities.

You may have just raised some money for charity, for example — so ask them along to present a cheque. MPs love having their photos taken and the press love to print them, bringing you free advertising.

You could invite your MP to hold a surgery in your pub — and you might attract new customers as a result. Invite them to your upcoming events — new menu launch, darts final, national campaigns.

They’re unlikely to attend everything you invite them to, but the important thing is that they’ll remember your name when you need to contact them on an issue.

The important thing is to build a relationship with your MP and maintain that relationship. Ask them to pledge their support for the pub and get the local press to report that.

It’s harder for an MP to back-track once the press have written a piece about their supportive attitude.