A Campaigner’s Guide to Westminster - how to influence Parliament

Parliament shapes the issues we care about — but for many campaigners, Westminster still feels like a locked room.

Join us for the launch of our new, Campaigner’s Guide to Westminster. The guide is written by campaigners, activists and experts in how Parliament works. It’s designed for anyone working toward social change who wants to understand Westminster and how to influence it, without needing a degree in politics or years of insider knowledge.

Over the last decade, it’s become harder for communities to access power through Westminster. Outdated systems and inaccessible language have disconnected campaigners from parliamentary processes. Too often, the people most affected by injustice are least supported to use the tools Parliament offers — particularly young people, those with limited time or access to training, and those from marginalised backgrounds.

Now is the time to equip all campaigners — not just insiders — to influence decision-makers and drive change.

This event is for:

• Campaigners with little or no knowledge of Parliament
• People with lived experience of the issues they campaign on
• Small NGOs, grassroots groups, and community organisers
• Anyone who wants to understand how to influence Westminster in a real, practical way

We’ll be joined by a brilliant panel of speakers with experience in achieving change through Parliament, and who have contributed to the guide:

Caroline Lucas was the UK’s first Green Party Member of Parliament between 2010 and 2024, and before that served for 10 years in the European Parliament. She has also served as both Leader and Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales. She is a writer, campaigner and keynote speaker, with a particular interest in the role of education and the arts in mobilising action on the climate and nature emergencies.

Gracie Mae Bradley is a writer, policy expert and campaigner concerned with what it means for people to live flourishing lives. She is particularly interested in civil liberties, state power, tech/surveillance, Black feminism, and abolition.

Minnie Rahman is CEO of Praxis and the contributing editor of the Campaigner’s Guide to Westminster. She has experience working in both Westminster and the European Parliament, with a particular interest in migrant and climate justice.

Zoe Gardner is an independent immigration policy expert and campaigner for the rights of all migrants and refugees in the UK and across Europe. As a grassroots activist, she has organised campaigns independently and with Another Europe is Possible and UK Stop Trump.

What’s happening at the launch:

• An introduction to the new Campaigner’s Guide to Westminster
• A discussion of the challenges campaigners face in accessing Parliament — and what can be done about it
• Q&A with our panel
• Information about upcoming trainings