If you have one minute...

Canvassers
In the run up to an election, it is likely that you will be door-stepped by canvassers from the different parties, and possibly even the prospective parliamentary candidates themselves.  Be prepared!  Make sure you use this as an opportunity to get our trade messages across.  Have your questions at hand, take note of their answers and maybe even offer them a Fairtrade product.  If candidates drop a card through your letter box asking what issues are important to you, make sure you fill it in and send it back to them.

If you have ten minutes...

Letter writing
Another way to get the Fairtrade message across is to write to (or email) the candidates.  You can also find out what their views are on Fairtrade by requesting a reply. Download a template letter to candidates – please also pass it on to your friends and contacts.  Why not include a Fairtrade chocolate bar or something similar to grab the candidate’s attention?

Candidates will be paying close attention to the letters page of local newspapers, so you may also want to have a go at getting a letter about Fairtrade or trade justice in print. Download a template letter.

If you are an avid blogger or tweeter, then why not get the Fairtrade message out this way? Post a blog or tweet about Fairtrade – perhaps suggesting the questions to be asked above, and then sit back and watch the word spread...

If you have longer....

Private meetings
Face to face contact with your candidates is valuable and organising a private meeting gives you (and them) time to focus on one or two issues amongst the many that emerge during an election.

Candidates can usually be contacted through their local office. Your sitting MP usually holds ‘surgeries’ to meet people in their constituency and discuss issues or concerns – book a slot through their office or if that’s not convenient request a separate meeting.

Other people will be interested to hear how it went and what the candidate’s views are on Fairtrade and trade justice, so after the meeting you could write a short letter to the local paper, get in touch with your local radio or tell your friends how it went.

Top tips for meeting your candidates:

Don’t be daunted
•    Often candidates won’t know much about your issue
•    They have an interest in being polite to you and listening to you
•    You have a right to talk to them

Prepare
•    Google the candidate to find out a bit about them
•    Know what you want and what you are going to say – keep it simple and use the background information in this toolkit
•    Be prepared for what they might say back. Use our FAQ for information on party policies.
•    If there’s more than one of you attending , make sure you meet in advance to decide roles

Be clear, calm and concise
•    Candidates are likely to have limited time, knowledge and attention, so use the time well
•    Don’t be too pushy – be prepared to listen as well as talk!
•    Make sure any background material you give them is short, simple and clear
•    Take notes of what is said (and let us know via the feedback form)

Get a result
•    Take along a Fairtrade product to give them to break the ice!
•    If the candidate tries to change the subject, politely but firmly bring them back to the topic in hand
•    Finish the meeting with something concrete – ideally a commitment for action (If the candidate seems reluctant, ask if they would be open to being followed up)
•    Write a thank you email or letter and remind them of any actions that were agreed

Public meetings

Some groups are getting together at a local level to organise hustings or public meetings to which the candidates are invited.  These are a great opportunity to get the candidates debating Fairtrade issues and for you to compare the different positions being taken by the candidates. 

Why not attend any hustings being organised in your area - to find out if there is one being organised, check your local newspaper, community boards and voluntary groups.  You can also go to www.voteglobal.org.uk, which will tell you about hustings being organised by development groups. You could give out Fairtrade chocolate to the candidates, offer them a Fairtrade badge to wear (please take a note of any that accept or refuse the badge – this is useful information!) and ask one or two of the key questions mentioned above during the proceedings. 

If you have more time, you could even get involved in organising a hustings with others in your area.  See www.voteglobal.org.uk  for contact details of organisers.  Hustings are also being organised in 51 marginal constituencies across the UK by a coalition of organisations focused on climate change, under the name ‘Ask the Climate Question’.  For detailed information on how to organise a hustings go to www.wdm.org.uk/general-election-toolkit

Stalls

If you already have a Fairtrade stall organised in your area, then why not invite the candidates to visit it?  You could coax them along with an offer to sample the Fairtrade produce and obtain press coverage. All candidates will be very keen to appear in the papers in the run up to the election, and Fairtrade is a popular issue across the parties, so if you mention you will invite the local paper along, they are very likely to say yes.  Make sure you take a note of any statements or commitments they make about Fairtrade so you can feed back to us and be ready to hold them to account if they become your MP.

Stunts

If you enjoy dressing up as a Fairtrade banana, or in some other eye-catching attire, why not organise a Fairtrade press stunt and invite the candidates along.  They may be happy to dress up too, in which case press coverage is more likely!  Again, make sure you note down any statements or commitments they make about Fairtrade and let us know about it using the feedback form provided. Download a template press release for your stunt

Election follow-up

Soon after the election, if you have time, please write to your newly elected MP.  It’s a good opportunity to register Fairtrade on their radar, to remind them of any promises they made as a candidate and to capitalise on the good work you have done getting the Fairtrade / trade justice messages across in the run up to the election. Download a letter to new candidates

Election legalities

A full account of rules related to charity campaigning at election time can be found at www.charity-commission.gov.uk/supportingcharities/elect.asp, which we suggest you read if you want to do more than simply ask your candidates a question.