Letters to MPs
SnowdropExplodes, 11 Sep 2005 22:11:39
I've been pondering on what the best timing for
writing letters to MPs is going to be.
I've assumed that MPs get a lot of mail, probably
relating to dozens of issues including both national
and local issues, every week, so if people campaigning
on this issue write to their MP now, then the chances
are it will not be very effective, because it will be
pushed to the back of the MP's mind and then out of it
altogether by other issues coming through.
I guess what I'm saying is, do we wait until the end
of the consultation to write to the MPs, or would it
be better to coordinate letter-writing campaigns to
MPs with any media push that takes place sooner than
that?
Presumably, the end of the consultation and the
publication of the report will spark another flurry of
media interest that will be spun by the government -
whether or not those results are in our favour.
Would it make sense to time the beginning of our media
campaign for just before that publication, and
coordinate letters to MPs with that?
Ta,
SnowdropExplodes
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rosalee, 11 Sep 2005 22:18:07
If, as someone suggested at the meeting, everything is rushed through in a private members bill, wouldn't we have left it too late? Wouldn't it be better to go ahead and get the letters sent out as soon as possible?
Ginny
----- Original Message -----
: -OJT-, 11 Sep 2005 22:18:07
To: Backlash campaign group
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 10:11 PM
Subject: [backlash] Letters to MPs
I've been pondering on what the best timing for
writing letters to MPs is going to be.
I've assumed that MPs get a lot of mail, probably
relating to dozens of issues including both national
and local issues, every week, so if people campaigning
on this issue write to their MP now, then the chances
are it will not be very effective, because it will be
pushed to the back of the MP's mind and then out of it
altogether by other issues coming through.
I guess what I'm saying is, do we wait until the end
of the consultation to write to the MPs, or would it
be better to coordinate letter-writing campaigns to
MPs with any media push that takes place sooner than
that?
Presumably, the end of the consultation and the
publication of the report will spark another flurry of
media interest that will be spun by the government -
whether or not those results are in our favour.
Would it make sense to time the beginning of our media
campaign for just before that publication, and
coordinate letters to MPs with that?
Ta,
SnowdropExplodes
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SnowdropExplodes, 11 Sep 2005 22:23:54
--- rosalee wrote:
> If, as someone suggested at the meeting, everything
> is rushed through in a private members bill,
> wouldn't we have left it too late? Wouldn't it be
> better to go ahead and get the letters sent out as
> soon as possible?
They won't do that while they've got a
(well-publicised) consultation process going on,
because it would look like they were trying to go
behind the people's backs - plus, they're probably
pretty confident they'll get the answer they want from
the consultation.
I think if we make a big media/letter-writing campaign
around the end of the consultation process, then if
the government try to bring in the private member's
bill at that stage, the whole thing will be in the
media and we'll have maximum impact to try to stop
them sneaking it through that way.
But again, I'm not an expert at spin/propaganda.
Ta,
SnowdropExplodes
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«No Name Set», 14 Sep 2005 23:39:52
If you write to your MP *now*, where the issues are fresh, you
have done it. You can always write again later, referring to
your previous letter and saying you are still concerned. If you
wait for the right moment, and then have some other emergency
crop up, it may fall off the end of the "To Do" pile.
Writing now, when you have just seen a copy of the consultation
document, gives an opportunity to say you have just read this
and are concerned at how loaded the questions seem to be.
Yes, you are right: MPs get bags of letters!
A specially-written letter from a constituent carries far more
weight than mass-produced letters from pressure groups sent to
all MPs, or standard letters photocopied and signed, or postcard
campaigns. In fact, too many of the round robin types tend to
piss off MPs rather than recruit them to your side.
So write your own letter, and always be clear they are *your* MP
- even if you don't want to give your full name and address, say
"I am one of your constituents. I live in Acacia Avenue"... or
wherever.
Keep it brief and snappy and informative; you can offer to
supply more info in they would find that helpful.
One MP said the most memorable letters he'd got were in the form
"Hi Jim!....... love, Pete" He said he spent ages wondering
"Pete? Who on earth is Pete?!" Of course, this isn't going to
work for all MPs.
Rosemary
--
Rosemary
Manniq, 15 Sep 2005 10:18:32
Author wrote:
> I've been pondering on what the best timing for
> writing letters to MPs is going to be.
> I've assumed that MPs get a lot of mail, probably
> relating to dozens of issues including both national
> and local issues, every week, so if people campaigning
> on this issue write to their MP now, then the chances
> are it will not be very effective, because it will be
> pushed to the back of the MP's mind and then out of it
> altogether by other issues coming through.
> I guess what I'm saying is, do we wait until the end
> of the consultation to write to the MPs, or would it
> be better to coordinate letter-writing campaigns to
> MPs with any media push that takes place sooner than
> that?
> Presumably, the end of the consultation and the
> publication of the report will spark another flurry of
> media interest that will be spun by the government -
> whether or not those results are in our favour.
> Would it make sense to time the beginning of our media
> campaign for just before that publication, and
> coordinate letters to MPs with that?
> Ta,
> SnowdropExplodes
Writing to MP's has two roles. The first is to gather information: to understand who stands where on the issues and therefore who we need to influence.
The second is to attempt to influence and to change their minds.
As part of the lobbying function, I am assuming we have time to do the first and am starting to work out what views we need to canvas MP's (and others) on. That is, we need some consistency on questions asked. (And if anyone has any views themselves on what we should be asking, please let me know).
As for letter writing, I would get out there and start writing. MP's are influenced by the sheer weight of their postbag - and if this consultation appears controversial from the off, that matters.
You can always write more than once (its not a once-in-a-lifetime occasion!). If you do choose to write now to express a view, you can write later a follow-up letter to the effect that 'now that the government's position is clearer...I would be interested in where you stand on X'.
Regards,
M
Manniq, 15 Sep 2005 10:24:59
Author wrote:
> --- rosalee wrote:
> > If, as someone suggested at the meeting, everything
> > is rushed through in a private members bill,
> > wouldn't we have left it too late? Wouldn't it be
> > better to go ahead and get the letters sent out as
> > soon as possible?
> They won't do that while they've got a
> (well-publicised) consultation process going on,
> because it would look like they were trying to go
> behind the people's backs - plus, they're probably
> pretty confident they'll get the answer they want from
> the consultation.
> I think if we make a big media/letter-writing campaign
> around the end of the consultation process, then if
> the government try to bring in the private member's
> bill at that stage, the whole thing will be in the
> media and we'll have maximum impact to try to stop
> them sneaking it through that way.
> But again, I'm not an expert at spin/propaganda.
> Ta,
> SnowdropExplodes
In answer to this and to Rosalee's post. The 'normal' timetable for any legislation out of this consultation would see a Bill proposed in either the 2006 or 2007 Queen's Speech, with legislation by Spring 2007/8. That assumes they go for the most controversial of the proposals (Option 3) and they have the Parliamentary time to do it.
Two other alternatives: first, if they go for OPtions 1 or 2, they might be able to do it by means of secondary legislation: amending or re-interpreting existing statute. To that end, we need lawyers looking around to see if anything could be amended that way. (Worst possible outcome for us might be if they were able to amend the Child Protection Act to bring this material within its scope....because in propaganda terms we would be arguing against 'protecting the darling children').
To guard against this, we also need MP's to be vigilant, since this route CAN be sneaked through very quietly - and sometimes legislation of this sort doesn't get noticed until it is law. I am working on this one.
Second, it IS possible that an MP who is highly placed on the private member's ballot will decide to try and bring in legislation around the principles in the consultation paper. It is possible that the government would then argue against it (because the consultation process is happening). But they could actually do something else: they could allow the Bill to progress on the grounds that they wish to test the water - see how much support there is for it in the House and country at large, whilst keeping their distance.
Or they might decide that they like the idea of getting a controversial Bill through quickly without using up their parliamentary time on it.
So a Private Member's Bill IS a risk.
Regards,
M
rosalee, 15 Sep 2005 13:17:21
How quickly could a Private Member's Bill go through? Would it take months or weeks?
Ginny
----- Original Message -----
: manniq@hotmail.com, 15 Sep 2005 13:17:21
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: [backlash] Letters to MPs
Second, it IS possible that an MP who is highly placed on the private member's ballot will decide to try and bring in legislation around the principles in the consultation paper. It is possible that the government would then argue against it (because the consultation process is happening). But they could actually do something else: they could allow the Bill to progress on the grounds that they wish to test the water - see how much support there is for it in the House and country at large, whilst keeping their distance.
Or they might decide that they like the idea of getting a controversial Bill through quickly without using up their parliamentary time on it.
So a Private Member's Bill IS a risk.
Regards,
M
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Manniq, 15 Sep 2005 16:40:39
Author wrote:
> How quickly could a Private Member's Bill go through? Would it take months or weeks?
Depends on where it is on the ballot, whether it is something that has general approval, government approval, etc. or is highly controversial.
If you are number one on the ballot and want to bring in something that is innocuous and unlikely to encounter much/any resistance, you might get one or two readings unopposed...and have the whole thing up and on the books in, say, a matter of weeks.
If you are number 7, and want to bring in something controversial about, say, abortion, you haven't a chance.
There are so many permutations that this really is a 'wait and see'. It might never happen. Or alternatively, Jane Longhurst's MP might come top of the ballot....
Regards,
M
Manniq, 15 Sep 2005 18:01:00
Author wrote:
> How quickly could a Private Member's Bill go through? Would it take months or weeks?
In fact, the ballot for the next session is already drawn:
http://www.parliament.uk/faq/ballot_faq_page.cfm
Maybe worth a little googling on those names to see what they are all interested in. Marsha Singh might be one to look out for!
Regards,
M
Manniq, 15 Sep 2005 18:09:11
Author wrote:
> Author wrote:
> > How quickly could a Private Member's Bill go through? Would it take months or weeks?
> In fact, the ballot for the next session is already drawn:
> http://www.parliament.uk/faq/ballot_faq_page.cfm
> Maybe worth a little googling on those names to see what they are all interested in. Marsha Singh might be one to look out for!
> Regards,
> M
OK. Panic over for this year: the guy is introducing a bill on legal representation at employment tribunals.
Regards,
M