Sample letterto ask for MP’s/PPC’s support (with option to ask for a meeting)

[Your name]

[Your address]

[Insert MP/PPC’s full name]

[For example: House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA]

[Insert date]

Dear [Insert name],

Later Life Ambitions in[insert local area/constituency]

As a constituent of yours, and someone[approaching /in] later life, I am writing to you with regard to my concerns about the future of older people in [insert local area].

By 2030, there will be almost 13 million people in later life – aged 65 or over. This will have enormous social and economic consequences for the UK. I believe that the next government and local authorities need to do more to tackle the social and economic challenges facing older people and to ensure a positive, ambitious future for older people.

I am a member of [insert the Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance/the National Association of Retired Police Officers/the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners’] I am supporting their campaign, Later Life Ambitions, which they are running with [insert the Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance/the National Association of Retired Police Officers/the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners’]. Using the experiences of members like me, Later Life Ambitions sets out a manifesto for the future that takes into account these challenges, along with the aspirations of today’s pensioners. In brief, we are calling on politicians to:

  • Recognise the importance of universal benefits;
  • Introduce proper planning for pensions;
  • Put in place an effective, sustainable infrastructure for care in the UK;
  • Make it easier for older people to live in suitable, age appropriate accommodation; and,
  • Allow pensioners easy access to affordable public transport.

I would be very grateful if you could visit the website view the manifesto online. You can pledge your support via the website and [DELETE IF NOT CURRENT MP]I also be very pleased if you would sign Early Day Motion 303, kindly put forward by Dame Anne Begg MP.

[Optional paragraph – organising a meeting] I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my concerns in more detail. I understand that you must be very busy, but I would be grateful if you would agree to a time we can meet in the near future at one of your advice surgeries. In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me on [include your contact details].

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

[insert name]