Write to your MP about the APPG
As part of the Campaign for Body Confidence, in the next few months we will be establishing a cross-party interest group for MPs on Body Image – known as an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). The APPG on Body Image will build support across all the political parties for the body confidence agenda and as a future project may conduct an inquiry into the causes, consequences and possible solutions in combating body image anxiety.
A number of MPs have already said that they would like to play an active role in the group – including Jo Swinson, Caroline Nokes and Mary Glindon. However, the more members the better, and we’d love to hear from your MP – so we’ve created a message for you to send to them telling them why the group is so important and inviting them to express their interest.
To find out who your MP is, visit http://findyourmp.parliament.uk
[Insert your address including postcode here]
Dear [MP]
As your constituent, I’m writing to ask that you join the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Body Image, which will launch this spring.
Body image dissatisfaction in the UK has never been higher, particularly among young people. The pressure to conform to the impossible stereotypes we are bombarded with in advertising, magazines and on the catwalk is overwhelming and damaging – one in four of us are depressed about our bodies. Low self-esteem, depressing and eating disorders are all increasing, along with unhealthy behaviours: the average age at which girls start to diet is now 8 years old, and the number of young men taking steroids has doubled in the last 10 years.
These problems urgently need addressing and the APPG on Body Image will bring together some of the key players in this debate in a cross-party forum – representatives from youth organisations, the advertising industry, health sector and media.
A number of MPs have already said that they will play an active role in the group – including Caroline Nokes, Jo Swinson, and Mary Glindon. You can express an interest in joining the APPG by contacting Jo Swinson MP’s office on 0207 219 8088 or emailing jo.swinson.mp@parliament.uk
Yours sincerely,
[NAME]
I think this campaign is amazing. I live in the U.S. and don’t know of an equivalent effort other than Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty, which simply gets lost among the “fake” beauty adverts. I was happily surprised by the latest ban in the U.K. and how your message is being heard and taken seriously by the people that matter the most. Do you take donations for your campaign?
Thanks!