General Election 2024 Toolkit
This general election, help us ensure that the changes we want to see to the family justice system are a priority for every candidate standing to become an MP.
Now it’s been announced that there will be a general election on Thursday 4 July, it is a great opportunity to tell your local parliamentary candidates about our Vision for Family Justice, and in particular our call for cohabitation reform.
We have created an election toolkit to help you, our members, get your voices heard. It is your step-by-step guide to making a difference this election year.
Play your part
-
Find out who your local candidates are
Prospective parliamentary candidates can be found by clicking the button below. You can also try the website of your local council which is likely to have a list of candidates.
-
Write to all local candidates and ask them to support Resolution’s asks for the next Parliament
It is important to engage with all candidates, regardless of whether you feel a particular one is likely to be more supportive. You can find contact details via their websites, although some do not share this publicly. You could try contacting them via social media, or by contacting their party’s local branch and asking for further details. The toolkit provides you with some easy email templates you can use, and adapt to suit you when contacting your local candidates.
-
Meet with candidates in your area to talk to them about reforming the family justice system
Resolution is also encouraging members to seek face-to-face meetings, as it is more likely to have an impact and candidates will be interested in meeting with constituents in the run-up to the election.
-
Attend local campaign events and debates to ask about commitments to older people
Hustings are meetings which take place in the run up to elections. They provide a forum for members of the public to hear from candidates and parties about their plans and policies. The election toolkit has a list of questions, that should you attend, you may wish to ask.
-
Achieve local media coverage
The election provides all members with the opportunity to raise the profile of these issues through local media outlets. We’ve drafted a template press release and letter to the editor that can be tailored to your constituency.
-
Spread the word
Join the conversation on Social Media using #GeneralElection. We have put together some suggested social media posts to publicise to your network your involvement during the campaign.
What are our asks?
As we head into a General Election, it is crucial to raise and explain these issues with prospective candidates who, if elected, can serve as champions for Resolution in Parliament.
By backing our calls for action, candidates are committing to advocate and support the following policies in the next Parliament:
- Cohabitation: The law relating to cohabiting partners on separation needs to be reformed.
- Helping families to find solutions: There should be more public funding for early legal information and advice.
- Protecting the vulnerable: More needs to be done to support and protect victims of domestic abuse in the family court, and ensure children are supported.
- Family courts: Preventing further closures of family courts.
- Making family law fit for purpose: Hearing the voice of the child in child arrangements proceedings and allocating more resource to the public children law system.
Resolution wants all candidates to understand that these recommendations are essential for improving the family justice system, reducing conflict, and providing necessary protection and support for separating couples and any children they may have.