What to bring and planning for the day

Arrangements for persons with a disablility

Please contact a member organisation (click here) in advance if you or someone in your group has particular needs on the day. Stewards will be on hand to help any person with a disability or with mobility difficulties.

What to bring

• The Questions & Answers booklet (including the Ask Sheet to give to your MP). 

• Food and drink. Please do not bring alcohol. 

• Rain gear and warm clothes. Be prepared for all weathers and the possibility of standing in the queue. 

• A flag or small banner in the colour of your nation or region (see here). Put the name of your constituency on it to help your MP to find you. Please keep any banners or placards to a reasonable size (1 metre square or less), as it may be very windy by the river Thames. 

• Something white to hold up for the mass moment. 

Try to travel light, as you will have to keep your belongings with you at all times during the event.

Going into the House of Commons

If you do go inside you will go through a security check like at an airport. Knives and sharp objects are not allowed, so please do not bring these. Mobile phones must be switched off. Any large banners or placards will also have to be relinquished.

Planning for the day

Taking part in the lobby is the most important thing you can do. But if you have time, here are extra some ideas to help you make an even greater impact. The more you can show your MP that lots of their constituents care about Trade Justice, the more likely your MP is to take action.


Find out about your MP

Try to find out about any particular responsibilities your MP holds in their party or in government, and whether they are interested in development or environmental issues. Have they visited any developing countries? Are they supported by your trade union? Your MP may have their own website where you can find out more about them.


Hold a Vote for Trade Justice

Over 600,000 people in the UK are already demanding trade justice - not free trade - through this massive nationwide ballot. By gathering as many votes as possible locally, you can really impress upon your MP how much their constituents care about trade justice. Contact a member organisation to order vote cards (click here).


Collect messages of support to give to your MP on 2 November

How about a long scroll, a giant autograph book, or a photo montage of people in the constituency who support the campaign? Get local schools, colleges, churches, trade unions and community groups involved. Ask local celebrities to join you for the lobby or to give you a message. You could also bring a trade justice scales badge or a MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY white band to give to your MP.


Think about how you will travel to London

Make a huge sign for your coach to explain why you are travelling to London. It could say 'We've come all the way from ____________________ for Trade Justice!'

• Alternatively your group might choose an unusual form of transport - like a rickshaw or a decorated bicycle!

• Organise a send-off for your group and invite the local press (see here for how to get the media involved).

Make banners and signs

Put the name of your constituency, town, or group on a small banner, to show where you have come from. You could also add a slogan:

• We have come all the way from ______ for trade justice
• Trade justice not free trade
• We need trade justice to make poverty history
• Trade Justice = respect for workers' rights
• Stop pushing free trade on the poor
  

Remember that the start of November can be windy, so try to keep banners to a reasonable size, and remember that no large banners and placards can be taken inside the Houses of Parliament.


Get in the media

To find out more on how to do this, click here.

Mass Lobby Home Page | How to get in the media >>>