MPs come together to support M.E. Is yours on board?
January 10, 2020
Carol Monaghan MP will meet with MPs next week to reform the All Party Parliamentary Group for M.E.
The group is holding a brief AGM on Tuesday 14 January, and MPs can put themselves forward for officer positions to lead the group. There will be further meetings throughout the year your MP can attend to find out more and contribute to the work being done to improve the lives of people with M.E.
Following several Parliamentary debates and a considerable increase in the number of written questions to Ministers, interest in M.E. has grown among MPs. During the election, we contacted almost every General Election candidate, and secured pledges from around 50 now-elected MPs. They are working with us to improve the lives of people with M.E. through a range of activities including joining the APPG for M.E., speaking up in Parliament, and campaigning on key issues such as welfare benefits and biomedical research.
Even though it's short notice, there is still time to let your MP know about this first meeting. If they are unable to attend, they can still register their interest by emailing Carol Monaghan’s office. Some MPs are unable to join APPGs because of other roles they hold; if this is the case with yours, you can also suggest they meet with us to find other ways they can support people with M.E.
We have put together a template email below, which you can send to your MP. You could also ask them on Twitter
Template email
Dear MP name
As a constituent living with the serious neurological condition M.E., I’m writing to ask if you will join, or support the work of, the new All Party Parliamentary Group on M.E., holding its AGM on Tuesday 14 January in Room Q, Portcullis House at 1pm.
M.E. affects at least 250,000 people in the UK, who experience misunderstanding, neglect and disbelief, and struggle to access the services and support they’re entitled to. I have had M.E. for XXX months/years, and it’s biggest impact on my life is XXX. [Please add a sentence here about your own experience. Experience tells us that it’s most effective it’s short and simple]
You can stand up and be a voice for hundreds of people with M.E. in your constituency. If you are not able attend this or future meetings, please contact Action for M.E.'s Sam Bromiley at policy@actionforme.org.uk or 0117 937 6623 to find out how you can work with the charity to support people with M.E.
Thank you and best wishes
Your name
