[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Postcode]
[Email Address]
[Date]
[MP’s Name] MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Dear [Your local MP],
Subject: Safe and Legal Routes for Refugees / Expansion of Resettlement & Family Reunion Schemes
I am writing as one of your constituents to urge you to support and champion stronger safe routes for refugees, in line with the policy recommendations of Safe Routes 2025.
Forced displacement is a global crisis. Many refugees, fleeing conflict, persecution, or violence, are pushed to take dangerous, irregular routes, such as crossing the Channel in overcrowded boats. The UK’s current asylum framework and restrictive safe-route policies exacerbate these dangers and create needless barriers.
From the Safe Routes 2025 briefing by René Cassin, I ask you to press the Government to adopt the following reforms:
- Set an increased resettlement target
The UK should commit to resettling significantly more refugees annually than current levels, prioritising those fleeing persecution, gender-based violence, urgent medical needs, and children.
- Reinstate the family reunion scheme
Children should be able to reunite with parents, and the legal definition of “family” should be broadened to reflect the real circumstances of displaced people.
Furthermore, the UK Government should negotiate with EU and other partner states to allow family members in different countries to join refugees here.
- Create a “refugee visa” or safe-passage scheme
Permit applicants to travel safely to the UK before applying for asylum, rather than forcing them to risk irregular journeys.
- Ensure that asylum seekers are allowed pathways to citizenship
The current system effectively forces people into irregular routes by denying the right to citizenship.
These changes would not only uphold our international legal obligations (e.g. the 1951 Refugee Convention) but would also show the UK’s moral leadership and reduce harm to vulnerable people forced into perilous journeys.
I would be grateful to know:
- Whether you will publicly support these reforms in Parliament;
- Whether you will raise questions or motions in Parliament to push the Government on this;
- Whether you would meet with me (and/or local refugee / advocacy groups such as René Cassin) to discuss how your office can help deliver these changes.
I look forward to your response and to seeing you stand up for safe, dignified routes for refugees.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
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