Newsletter
Jan 18, 2024
Happy New Year, dear MP Watchers.
It's going to be a year to remember, with a likely general election and the stakes stacked against us in terms of democracy, climate and our ecosystems. Time to get back to work!
With 2023 confirmed as the world's hottest year on record, there has never been a more urgent time to monitor our MPs closely. Let's step up the pressure to ensure they act with honesty and integrity, making decisions that are right for their constituents and for our whole planet.
You may have noticed we have updated our website and you will now be able to find all the MP Watch groups up there for all to see. We hope it will help fellow constituents find you and be able to join your group. If there is information you would like us to update, please get in touch on contact@mpwatch.org and we will sort that out for you. Thank you so much to everyone who helped with this huge project - we are very grateful!
Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
But first: What is happening with the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill? Monday 08 January was meant to see Parliament vote on the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, but this has been postponed for about two weeks. Trying to push this bill through under the radar, it has managed to cause rifts in both the Labour and Conservative parties.
Alok Sharma, the UK’s former business and energy secretary, criticised the bill, saying it demonstrates that the UK government is “not serious about meeting its international climate commitments". Conservative MP Chris Skidmore quit over the bill last week.
"The Leader (Penny Mordaunt) will update the House in the usual way on the date that the Bill will be rescheduled for". We expect this to be within the next two weeks, so please watch this space!
MP Watch posted short videos urging 12 of the MPs we’re watching to vote against the bill. In two of the posts, MPs Stella Creasy and Clive Lewis were praised for taking a stand and voting against the measures, as were Alok Sharma and Chris Skidmore.
Upcoming webinars
HOW TO HAVE A CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MP
Tuesday 16 January 2024, 19:00 - 20:00 We are thrilled to be hosting this workshop by Hope for the Future on how to prepare before meeting with your MP. Using their methods and experience, Hope for the Future will teach us how to set the conditions for a positive relationship with your MP - if you’re MP is up for it, of course... We are so grateful that they are supporting our campaign! Register for the webinar here:
WHAT MAKES YOUR MP TICK?
Tuesday 23 January 2024, 18:30 - 19:30 Join us for an exciting online event where you get to uncover the secrets behind your MP's motivations! Have you ever wondered what drives your elected representative? Now is your chance to find out! It will be more rewarding if other members of your constituency group are able to join you, so please share this and ask others to join! Please register for the event here:
Eventbrite registration. You will receive the Zoom link once you have registered.
NEXT MONTH... We'll be hosting a webinar about community organising on Wednesday 07 February 2024 at 19:00 - save the date for now, more details to follow in our next newsletter. We'll be hosting a webinar about community organising on Wednesday, 07 February 2024, at 19:00. Save the date for now; more details will follow in our next newsletter.
MP Watch Training
Our MP Watch training for constituency groups is back! We'll be kicking off again on Wednesday, 24 January 2024. The training will run for four consecutive weeks. There are two slots available:
Morning session
10:00 - 11:00
Zoom link (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83259603326)
Evening session
18:00 - 19:00
Zoom link (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88988923734)
Please email us at contact@mpwatch.org to let us know you're coming.
The training will equip you with the essential knowledge to become an active citizen. After completing the training, you can effectively shine a light on your MP’s actions alongside your fellow constituents. Things you will learn:
How to monitor your MP
How to approach your local press
How to write a press release
How to set up and run a basic social media campaign
How to recruit more volunteers for your group
And much more!
Monthly MP Watch drop-in session
Join the MP Watch UK team every last Tuesday of the month to catch up, learn from each other, come with problems you're stuck with, bring solutions to obstacles, and get to know your fellow MP Watchers a bit better. The next drop-in session is on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, at 19:00. Join the call with this Zoom link (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87034841966)