John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, gave “top tips” about lobbying to climate activists in late November, at an activist training organised by Stop Climate Chaos (1) in Manchester.  Here’s what we scribbled down –

1. Never miss an opportunity (and therefore, you need to be equipped – have basic materials with you at all times. You never know when you might run into someone…)
2. Look and see who does it best. John Leech pointed to Ali Abbas of Friends of the Earth as the gold standard here. “Gauge the tone, be constructive rather than confrontational, especially if it’s someone you don’t agree with (or else the MP will ‘switch off’)”
3. Be nice (at which point the MCFly reporter slapped his forehead and said ‘doh’)
4. Always assume ignorance – MPs are expected to know something about everything, and they don’t. The lobbyist will usually know (much) more about the issue under question
5. Be brief and to the point – have just a few points you are trying to get across
6. Written briefings are good, but 50 pages is too long! Unless it’s their responsibility/interest, few MPs have the time or inclination. So, send a half page in advance.
7. Be persistent, and if necessary, turn up to their surgery to get your point across (though separate individual meetings will usually be better).

Marc Hudson
mcmonthly@gmail.com

(1) I know, I thought they’d curled up their toes and died too!!

 See also
ASK for the world: Running information stalls

UPDATE: And here are more top tips from a later session on the same day.

TOP TIPS ON LOBBYING FROM DAVE COLEMAN OF COOLER PROJECTS CIC AND
MANCHESTER FRIENDS OF THE EARTH

1) Be Prepared: – do your homework; Party, roles, responsibilities, interests, speaking
and voting record;
2) Decide on your key objectives: – what do you want at the end of it? (For them to
write on your behalf? Sign an EDM? Speak out? How? Sign a petition? Attend a
stunt?)
3) Plan the visit: – Know the geography, Are there appointments or not? If not, how
does it work? Check location. How long will you have?
4) Plan your strategy: – Who is going? Who are the constituents? How many of you? 3 is
probably ideal; speaker, note-taker, photographer;
5) Who is going to say/do what? – Decide who is going to make which points/questions/
asks. Prepare by practicing answering your own sticky questions. Who is taking the
photos?
6) Arrive early: – If you are lucky you may get in early. Be prepared to wait. Maybe a
long time! Or if someone with an appointment doesn’t turn up you may get extra
time with your MP