Lobbying politicians

Lobbying is a legitimate activity that voluntary organisations can undertake as part of their work. Information about the Charity Commission guidelines on campaigning and lobbying can be found in their information sheet CC9 available on their website. Lobbying is the activity of influencing decision makers (AMs, MPs etc) in order to seek their support for your campaign. You may also be asking them to reflect this support in the way they develop policy or legislation. Working with politicians can be a very effective way of progressing your campaign and if you are campaigning for a change in policy or legislation securing political support will be a key part of your campaign. However, you may also wish to secure the support of politicians for campaigns that affect them in their role as the representative for their constituents. In this way they can be both the target of your campaign but also a potential supporter. However, this also sits alongside their party political role, their constituency role and their role in whatever democratic body they are elected to. Doing your research about who the key politicians to influence are is essential – do you want to seek government support, backbencher support, support from politicians representing certain areas or those with an interest in a certain topic?

When attempting to influence politicians it is important to be absolutely clear about what you want them to do. For example, do you want them to:

  • Speak in debates?

  • Write letters?

  • Ask questions?

  • Have meetings with others?

  • Vote in a particular way on a particular issue?

  • Seek publicity?

  • Join your campaign?

  • Change policies?

  • Change or create new laws?

Politicians are busy people who are bombarded with information all the time. You need to think carefully how you are going to capture and keep their attention in a very crowded environment. Here are some more thoughts on how keep your issue out of the bin and on their desk.

  • Avoid lobbying politicians via the media - lobby them directly. The media is a good way of raising awareness of the issues and the campaign more broadly, but it is useful to go to politicians directly

  • Politicians react to what is raised on doorsteps - so it is useful to consider how you can get their constituents to raise your issue

  • Prepare politicians for both side of the argument - otherwise they are vulnerable to attack by opponents

  • Identify politicians’ individual (campaigning) issues of interest

  • Provide clear, concise, readable, jargon-free briefing material - it must contain key messages and clarity over what you want them to do.

  • Don’t expect them to have your level of expertise about your issue

  • Don’t presume that your cause will be their main priority - there are many good causes and competing demands

  • Don’t be overly persistent

  • Arrange face to face meetings, possibly with a small group or delegation, and provide opportunities for politicians to have personal experience of the campaign

  • Be rational and objective and avoid ranting

  • Try to get cross party support and use cross party coalitions

  • Think about how politicians’ aides/staff can assist. Where they exist they can be very useful contacts.

  • Discuss with them how best to get publicity and respect that they may also be experienced campaigners who could have good ideas

  • Keep them informed of all campaign activities/press conferences etc

  • Don’t play political games with politicians and a good way to avoid doing this accidentally is to do your research first and know the political environment you’re influencing in.