London

How to...
Park in W1
Report a rogue cabbie
Put on a brilliant club night
Heckle a comedian and not get punched
Publish a Fanzine
Get the Most Out of your MP
Challenge an ASBO
Get your holiday cheaper (or free)

How to… get the most out of your MP
Unless your MP’s been locked up in the ‘Big Brother’ house pretending to be a kitten, you might want him or her to do some work for you. First, find out who your MP is: on the House of Commons’ (www.locata.co.uk/commons) or the Electoral Commission’s website (www.aboutmyvote.co.uk). To meet your MP, you can go to their surgery (often Mondays and Fridays). Their website should have the details.
Alternatively, you can try to pin them down in person. Any UK citizen can go to the House of Commons’ central lobby, and place a request with one of the attendants to see their MP. If they’re in Westminster and not otherwise engaged (booking ahead is advisable), they have to see you.

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If you have a particular cause you want to raise, do your research – find out about your MP’s background and interests. See if there’s anything that might make them sympathetic. Petition your friends, family and neighbours to demonstrate support for your cause. Request that your MP asks a parliamentary question or secures a short debate to raise your issue in the House of Commons.

It’s also worth remembering that your MP is there to help you as a constituent – this can mean dealing with legal problems (including bailiff’s letters), organisations you feel have treated you unfairly (such as the police or social services) or local issues like street crime. Even if you feel you’ve exhausted every option, a letter or phone call from your MP could be an instant solution. Phone their office, explain the problem, and then put it in writing if they can help.

How to… challenge an ASBO
If you don’t regard your new ASBO as a badge of honour, you can appeal to the County Court or Crown Court that issued it. But act quickly – within 14 days. ‘Ninety-nine per cent of applications are successful. It’s important to seek out legal representation quickly,’ says Matt Foot of ASBO Concern, a group raising awareness of ‘the inappropriate use of ASBOs’. If you are particularly vulnerable, the situation is slightly better. ‘Societies such as MIND (National Association for Mental Health) will help you campaign against the use of an ASBO. BIBIC (British Institute for Brain Injured Children) have also done excellent work spotting cases of autism relating to the use of ASBOs,’ said Foot. Apart from legal representation, contact your MP and try and get your community to support your action. ASBO Concern (07769 700 115).