Changemakers | Actions

Arts and music

You can raise awareness through art and craft, using visual creations to promote a political or social cause. Social injustices and political causes can be highlighted through musical performance and lyrics.

Broadcasting

Blogging and YouTube videos have emerged as potent tools for influencing political change by democratising access to information, facilitating public discourse, and mobilising communities. Both blogging and YouTube videos empower individuals to participate actively in political discourse, mobilise support for social movements, and challenge established power structures.

Create a petition

If you feel strongly about an issue you may want to start or sign a petition, on either the UK Parliament website or Senedd website. You can also create non-parliamentary petitions, on sites like 38 Degrees or Change.Org.

Economic activism

You can utilise your economic power to make change by boycotting companies and organisations to pressure them to change their behaviour, or rewarding companies and organisations through patronage and positive social media.

Lobbying

Lobbying is an important part of politics and is the lawful attempt to influence political decision makers, such as MPs and government ministers. Individuals, advocacy/special interest groups, and professional lobbyists can influence elected representatives through lobbying.

Peaceful protest

Peaceful demonstrations are legal under UK law and you can attempt to achieve change through non-violent and legal demonstrations.

Political parties

Most political parties have youth sections which deal with issues most relevant to young people.

Register to vote

Voting is the act of choosing something or someone in an organised election. You can register to vote from age 14 in Wales and Scotland (and 16 in the rest of the UK,) which means you will be ready to participate in local and general elections.

Stand for election

Anyone over the age of 18 who is a citizen of Britain, Ireland or the Commonwealth, and resides in the UK, is entitled to stand as an MP. You can also stand to become a Member of Senedd or a local councillor. Standing for election offers people an opportunity to contribute directly to the democratic process, shape public policy, and represent the interests of their communities. There are several compelling reasons why someone might consider standing for election.

Write and publish

Writing and publishing play vital roles in shaping political change in the UK by informing public discourse, influencing public opinion, and holding power to account. Use blogging, books, journalism, poetry, reports, or writing on social channels to reach a broader audience.

Your member of UK Parliament

Most MPs hold regular sessions called surgeries where they meet constituents to talk about issues of concern face-to-face or online. MPs can also request time for debates on local, national, and international issues. You can also ask MPs (and Lords) to support your campaign by asking them to submit written questions to government departments and ask questions in the House of Commons.

members.parliament.uk/members/commons

House of Lords

The House of Lords provides a second opinion to the House of Commons and the Government. The main role of the House of Lords is debating, amending, and making laws, checking and challenging the Government, and investigating public policy. You can contact any member of the Lords or search for the areas they’re interested in.

members.parliament.uk/members/lords

Your Member of the Senedd

Welsh residents are represented by one Member of the Senedd representing their local area and four more representing their region. Senedd Members hold regular surgeries and can raise issues. They can be contacted by email, letter, phone, and social media. Members can ask a question to a Minister—including the First Minister—during meetings of the Senedd and scrutiny sessions. They can also ask written questions, make points during debate, raise issues in committee meetings, or write directly to decision makers.

senedd.wales/find-a-member-of-the-senedd

Local councils

The issue you want to change may be best dealt with at a local level, through working with your local elected councillors. Councillors represent their local community, develop and review council policy, and scrutinise decisions.

gov.uk/find-local-council

All/cross-Party groups

In the UK Parliament, All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal, cross-party groups formed by MPs and members of the House of Lords who share a common interest. While they’re not official parliamentary committees, these groups can sometimes be influential because of their non-party political approach to issues. If the focus of an group aligns with your campaign, you could approach members to ask them for support. Senedd members can set up cross-party groups which are a great way for interest groups and campaigning bodies to speak directly to MSs to discuss policy issues.

parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/apg

business.senedd.wales

Select committees

In the UK Parliament, Select Committees inquire into issues affecting government and the public. They often use online surveys and requests for evidence. Senedd Committees do a similar role and examine proposed legislation and scrutinise the expenditure and policies of the Welsh Government.

committees.parliament.uk/inquiries

senedd.wales/senedd-business/committees

How to take action