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Public Law

Updated 2026-05-17

Letter to MP Requesting Intervention with a Government Department

Formal letter to your constituency Member of Parliament asking them to intervene on your behalf with a government department or public body.

This template was not drafted by a solicitor.

It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.

When to use this template

Use this letter when you have exhausted the internal complaints process of a government department or public body, and your MP's intervention may help resolve the matter. MPs can contact departments on behalf of constituents, escalate cases, and in some situations secure a ministerial review. It is most effective where there is a clear legal or procedural failure.

When NOT to use this template

Do not use as a first step before trying the department's own complaints process — MPs generally expect you to have tried that first. Do not use if the matter is before the courts or an independent tribunal — MP intervention is usually inappropriate during live proceedings. Do not use if you are not a constituent of the MP you are writing to — MPs generally only assist their own constituents.

Legal Basis

Parliamentary procedure and constitutional convention — MPs have a duty to assist constituents with governmental matters (constituency casework). The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) investigates maladministration by government departments, but cases must usually be referred by an MP (Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 s.5). The MP's involvement does not confer legal rights but can trigger a formal review.

Before you send

Writing to an MP who is not your constituency MP — check your MP at find-my-mp.parliament.uk
Not including your full address — MPs must verify you are a constituent
Failing to summarise what has already been tried — MPs cannot act effectively without knowing the history

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Writing to an MP who is not your constituency MP — check your MP at find-my-mp.parliament.uk
✗Not including your full address — MPs must verify you are a constituent
✗Failing to summarise what has already been tried — MPs cannot act effectively without knowing the history
✗Asking the MP to take sides on a political matter rather than to facilitate resolution of a procedural or administrative problem
✗Not specifying clearly what you want the MP to do — a vague letter produces a vague response

Build Your Letter

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Your full name*

Your address (in the constituency)*

Your email address*

Date of letter*

Your MP's full name*

Government department or public body name*

Clear description of the problem*

Steps already taken to resolve the issue*

Date of last response from the department*

Summary of the department's last response*

Why this matters and the impact on you*

List of enclosed documents*

Optional fields

Your reference number with the department (if any)

Any additional specific request (e.g. request a ministerial response)

Any deadline (e.g. if there is a court or appeal deadline)

Letter preview

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS (IN THE CONSTITUENCY)]
[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

[DATE OF LETTER]

[YOUR MP'S FULL NAME] MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

---

Dear [YOUR MP'S FULL NAME],

**Request for Parliamentary Intervention — [GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC BODY NAME]**

I am writing to you as my constituency MP to ask for your assistance with a matter that I have been unable to resolve directly with [GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC BODY NAME].

**Who I Am**

I am a constituent living at the above address. My reference number with [GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC BODY NAME] is **[YOUR REFERENCE NUMBER WITH THE DEPARTMENT (IF ANY)]** (if known).

**The Problem**

[CLEAR DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM]

**Steps Already Taken**

I have taken the following steps to resolve this matter before approaching you:

[STEPS ALREADY TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE]

Despite these efforts, the matter remains unresolved. The most recent response I received from [GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC BODY NAME] was dated **[DATE OF LAST RESPONSE FROM THE DEPARTMENT]** and stated: [SUMMARY OF THE DEPARTMENT'S LAST RESPONSE].

**Why This Matters**

[WHY THIS MATTERS AND THE IMPACT ON YOU]

**What I Am Asking**

I respectfully ask you to:

1. Write to [GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC BODY NAME] on my behalf requesting an urgent review of my case;
2. [ANY ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC REQUEST (E.G. REQUEST A MINISTERIAL RESPONSE)];
3. Keep me informed of any response you receive.

[ANY DEADLINE (E.G. IF THERE IS A COURT OR APPEAL DEADLINE)]

**Documents Enclosed**

I enclose the following documents in support of this request:

[LIST OF ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS]

I appreciate that you receive a very large number of constituency requests and I am grateful for any assistance you are able to provide. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.

Official Resources

Find Your MP — UK Parliament →Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman →Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 →