Act Now Change Forever

Picture the scene - it’s 2015 and a sunny day in central London. A surfer walks by in a wetsuit carrying her surfboard, closely followed by a beekeeper in full kit. Down the road some runs are chatting with a group of young people, as an MP is ferried past by rickshaw to meet their constituents in Victoria Tower Gardens. Ahead of the Paris climate summit, thousands of people have come to London to lobby their MPs for a commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C and phase out coal power in the UK - two commitments which were made later that year. 

Fast forward to 2019 and very similar scenes played out again, with hundreds of MPs meeting their constituents just days before the UK government signed its net zero target into law. 

Having attended (and been involved in organising) both these events, they stand out as two of the most positive, impactful and fun days of action that I’ve been involved with as a campaigner. And feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, including from people who have never taken part in any lobbying or campaigning activity before. On both days an incredibly diverse set of people came together to have meaningful conversations with their MPs, demonstrate the scale of national concern and together push for real change. 

Both these mass lobbies were organised by The Climate Coalition, which brings together over 130 organisations large and small from across the country. This year, they are organising the Act Now Change Forever lobby on Wednesday 9th July and Zero Carbon Guildford is getting involved.

What to expect?

A mass lobby is simply a day when groups of people get together to meet their MPs all on the same day on the same topic. It’s an opportunity for constituents to tell MPs about their concerns, as well as meeting other local people and organisations who have similar interests. For MPs, not only do they get to hear from constituents, but there is real power in them knowing that all their colleagues in Parliament are also being lobbied at the same time. MPs, like the rest of us, tend to underestimate public support for climate action, so a mass lobby is a way to normalise the reality that there is national concern and demand for government to act.

This time round, the event is being organised indoors in a number of venues near Parliament. Each constituency is assigned a time and place to meet their MP. For Guildford, we’ll be gathering with other Guildford constituents to meet with Zoe Franklin, MP for Guildford at 10.45-11.30 at Methodist Central Hall. If you’re from a different constituency you’ll meet with your own MP, which may be at a different time.

To take part you will need to sign up with The Climate Coalition (see below). 

When we’re not meeting with Zoe, there will also be a space for us to visit stalls, meet other lobbyists and listen to speakers. 

What are we asking for?

Nationally, The Climate Coalition are asking MPs to back bold, practical action by committing to:

1. Deliver vital funding to communities hit hardest by climate change here and around the world 

2. Cut bills, back UK jobs, and secure a greener fairer future for all 

3. Restore nature to create a safer, healthier future

You don’t need any experience or special knowledge to join in. At Zero Night on Tues 1st July we’ll be doing some planning and preparation, so that we can work out what we want to say, and how to include our local issues and concerns as well.

Why now?

At last year’s general election, over 300 new MPs entered Parliament, including Zoe Franklin in Guildford. One year on, it’s a great opportunity to build relationships with these new Parliamentarians, and remind them of the importance and urgency of action for a fairer, healthier, safer future for everyone. 

How to get involved

Everyone who comes to take part needs to sign up with The Climate Coalition individually. Make sure you do this even if you don’t do anything else!

Sign up here

At Zero Carbon Guildford, we are gathering a group to travel together on the train. All are welcome to join with us - even if you’re not involved with Zero. We will also be doing some planning at Zero Night on Tues 1st July. To find out more about that, and get details of when and where we’ll be meeting on the day, register to join us here.

ZERO volunteers heading up to London for THE BIG ONE Mass Lobby! In April 2023, people from all groups and movements, gathered throughout Westminster and the Houses of Parliament to ask for BIG change!