Getting the most out of conversations with political candidates

As we head closer to election season, it’s likely you’ll be paid a visit by parliamentary candidates who will be keen to learn more about what matters to you. 

You are the biggest advocates for nature in Gloucestershire, and these conversations are a great chance to make your views heard and show candidates why they need to join us in being a bold voice for wildlife!

You could ask them:

• How are you going to reverse the continuing decline of wildlife in Gloucestershire?
• What is your plan to tackle water pollution and the state of our rivers in Gloucestershire?
• What measures would you implement to support farmers to take a more nature-friendly approach?
• What actions are you taking to tackle the climate emergency?
• How are you planning to make sure people in your constituency have equal access to places where they can connect with nature?

Use local examples- most candidates will be looking for things they can champion and get involved with in their constituencies. Talk to them about the green places and wildlife stories that matter to you and tell them how they can get involved.

Ask them if they’ve spoken to us- we’ve reached out to all the local candidates currently declared, to invite them to meet with us to talk all things nature. Why not ask candidates if they’ve met with us yet? If they have, you could ask them what they learned!

Remind them the vote for nature is powerful- in several Gloucestershire constituencies, there are more GWT members than the current majority vote share- collectively our members can be a powerful voice for nature at the ballot box and it won’t hurt to remind candidates of that!

Follow up- candidates will be happy to leave you with their contact details, so why not follow up on your conversation and find out what they’ve taken away from their time on your doorstep?!