We have our local MP visiting our Repair Shop next week and I’m drawing up a list of questions, facts and statistics to share with her.
I’m curious though - what would you want to share? And what would you ask for? She’s broadly in support of what we do (from communications I’ve had with her office), and so I’d love to build on that support.
On my list already I’ve got Right to Repair, the declaration (she’s already signed :-)), repair vouchers…what else?
I figure I need to make the most of the time she’s here - we’re unlikely to get another visit very soon.
From a tactics point of view, it’s really helpful if MPs that have signed up to the declaration can do more to show support in parliament. Loads of MPs have asked questions in parliament about repair and reuse, which is a great way of keeping it on the agenda. Even better would be a parliamentary debate about repair and reuse. A few MPs have tried to put in for a debate on this, but have been unsuccessful, so getting more MPs to apply for a debate would increase the chances of it getting picked. If she’s up for doing this we can help with the wording, and briefing/ drumming up support from MPs if it’s successful.
In terms of other policies, a couple of Scottish organisations are calling for a Scottish repair voucher scheme in their manifesto asks. I know that’s focused on MSPs, but it could be worth talking to her about how repair vouchers could work in Scotland, and she might be able to raise it in conversations with MSP colleagues.
There’s a policy briefing on the asks in the declaration in case you want to have a look here.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes - or if you need any more ideas/ support!
It’s great that your local MP is coming to see you and I agree with all the comments regarding the Right to Repair Declaration and vouchers.
I would also encourage you to look local as well as national in respect of your MPs influence. Has the local authority got an environmental strategy that your repair cafe can be part of or help to shape? Can your MP provide influence on your local authority to provide aspects such as public liability insurance (Cornwall Repair Cafe Network has this) so that the barriers to setting up repair cafes are minimised.
I think it would be good to see what your MP can do for you and where their voice can be useful
The visit was this morning and it went very well. She was able to spend a whole hour here and so we covered the topic of repair and reuse in a good amount of detail. We did actually discuss some local authority issues (possibility of partnership was mentioned). We’re in conversation with our councillor on this too.
All in all it was a really positive visit and she was very interested in the project.
Thanks for the suggestions!
