module 7 - lobbying
TRANSCRIPT
Lobbying
Purpose:
To influence government policy and its implementation and to help set the political agenda
Legislative Route
Lobbying
But, just as campaign can be political or corporate, so can lobbying
Influencing animal-use businesses, and their policies
Market Route
Many Ways of Lobbying, Including:
Insider advocacy (with policy makers)
Consultations
Face-to-face meetings
Presentations
Conferences etc.
Demonstrating problem/solutions
Legal challenges
Written or verbal representations
Insider Advocacy – Potential Pitfalls
Tokenism – representation is given to provide a veneer of democracy/consultation, but your views and opinions are not taken on board.
Conflict of interests – fear of losing your insider position could prevent you from being a powerful advocate for your cause.
Cooption – there is a danger of becoming coopted (peer pressure brings you to become ‘one of them’).
Lobbyist: Skills/Experience
A lobbyist needs:
Strategic ability
Interpersonal skills
Knowledge of subject
Lobbyist: AttitudeA lobbyist needs:
Belief in cause
Principles
Optimism – set sights high
Loyalty to organization
To be persuasive, not argumentative
To understand opponents’ views and position, but not to be won over
Tenacity – never concede too early
To be a tough opponent!
Attitude and application
are key!
Media Importance
The media – press, radio and television (TV) –shapes public opinion
It is probably the single most effective vehicle for spreading social change messages
It is the most effective way of reaching mass audiences
Which enables the animal protection movement to reach new supporters (and move towards critical mass)
It should be a leading priority for a campaigning organization
Vital Components!Commitment and energy are vital components of any successful campaign:
Believing you will win
Dedication and commitment
Persistence
Being in for the ‘long haul’
Politicians as ‘sofas’ – bearing imprint of last
person to have sat on them!
Managing Your Lobby
Stay on top of everything
Stay flexible & maximize opportunities
Listen to the opposition!
Never take ‘No’ for an answer!!
How Not To!
Three main errors of NGO
lobbying:
‘Speak First, Think Later’
Knowing ‘People in
High Places’
Eating Your Way Out of
Trouble
- Charles Miller
Aim High!
“The greatest danger for
most of us is not that we aim
too high and we miss it, but
we aim too low and reach
it”
- Michelangelo
Campaign & Lobbying
Lobbying should be an integral part of campaigns strategy
Political
Corporate
Lobbying has far greater impact when part of a strategic – and phased –
advocacy campaign
Success Criteria
Key to successful lobby, is same as keyto successful campaign:
Strategically planned pathway
Ability to take advantage of key opportunities
Keeping big picture in mind
(helicopter view)
Lobbying: keeping finger on
political/corporate pulse
Influence
Every campaign goal involves influencing decision-makers
This can be done through channels (e.g. supporters, consumers etc.)
But – it is far more effective when reinforced by personal contacts
Key PointsYou need to know:
How lobby fits into overall campaign strategy – ‘Strategy’
How to achieve your strategy – ‘Operations’
The legislative process (power/influence) – ‘Process’
The people involved (and motivation) – ‘Players’
The law (and practice) relating to lobbying activities
You need knowledge of
policy environment and…
psychology!
Lobbying Strategy
The overall aim of the lobby
The targets of the lobby (President/Prime Minister, Ministers, Parliament, Political Parties, Civil Servants [departments/levels])
Channels to be used (e.g. meetings, letters, petitions, motions in Parliament, questions in Parliament, initiation of Parliamentary commissions/enquiries etc.)
Arguments/influences to be used (including accurate facts, use of opinion polls etc.)
Allies & opponents – including forming alliances to give added weight to the lobby
Public Action/Pressure
"Public opinion is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed."
— Abraham Lincoln
Seven Stage Model
Ignorance
Knowledge
Motivation
Skills/Resources
Optimism
Facilitation
Reinforcement
(Applies equally to politicians!!)
Public Action/Pressure
Seek to raise political awareness by campaign
Media coverage/letters to editors
Public letters
Postcards
Petitions
Meetings with MPs
Need to mobilize/use active
supporters and groups
Business
Business is in the game for profits
This makes threats to its customers, profits or finances powerful!
Can be negative or positive campaign/lobby
But beware of counter action
Single company focus
Comparative focus
Thorough research is vital
Government Structures
The ruling elite (core group who run the nation)
Strategies, policies and processes
Administrative functions/bureaucracy
The legal system
Government Structures
Ruling Elite
Legal System
Administrative Functions
Policies Strategies
Processes
Structure and Power
Which government department deals with your issue?
Who is the Minister responsible?
Spokesperson for opposition?
Relevant committees? Chairs? Secretariat?
Who advises the decision makers?
The System
Legislative system and stages?
Legislative procedures?
Committee system and procedures?
Role of any animal welfare committee?
Parliamentary Processes
What mechanisms are available to raise issues?
Introduction of bills into Parliament?
Motions/speeches for debate?
Parliamentary Questions – oral and written?
What are relevant parliamentary rules and procedures?
Parliament information office?
Structures and Democracy
Government structures
Democratic principles
Human rights
Openness & transparency –freedom of information
Consultation
International sensitivities
Animal protection & constitution
Enforcement
'Enforcement is of fundamental importance,
because any measures to improve animal
welfare can only be effective if they are
properly implemented and enforced.‘
--Professor Sir Colin R W Spedding KBE, former
Chairman, UK Farm Animal Welfare Council
Legislation must give clear duty
Allocation of responsibility?
Enforcement is 90% education and advice
Players Involved
The legislative process is controlled by people
All members of legislature not equal
Majority party members have more power
Senior members more influential
Senior legislative staff wield enormous power
Know legislators – interests, past records etc.Lobby the administration (do all briefing & recs)
Remember: Some aides wield power and
enormous influence
Pyramid of Power
Know the ‘Pyramid of Power’
But don’t let it rule you!
There are often useful ‘pinch points’
Internal or expert pressure on the top may be most influential
Political pressure sometimes needed first – importance of timing
People Skills
Dress acceptably
Be well organized
Get to know people
Familiarity
Mirroring
Be pleasant
Be constructive
Politeness
Always say ‘thank you’
Exploiting Weaknesses
Elected politicians – Ego and vanity
Politicians’ aides – The influence game
Bureaucrats – Lethargy/laziness
Opposition – Facade of ‘ethical watchdog’
Elections – Crazy time! Promise anything to
win.
Overcoming Prejudices
Prejudices include:Animal welfare seen as marginal issue consideration
Prejudice towards people issues
Perceptions of animal protection movement (middle
class luxury, white/female, ‘bunny huggers’, cat ladies
etc.)
Possible ways to overcome/answer:Opinion surveys in different communities to
demonstrate popular support
Show that situation can improve without substantial
cost
Show potential costs of inactivity
Suggested arguments – see next slide
Use International Policy
International animal welfare policy (and international opinion) can be a powerful lobbying tool!
Know the international policy environment, and use this in your lobbying
See WAN website
Ask WAN for advice, if in doubt
Reasons for animal protection:Altruistic: Protection of animals for their own sakes, recognizing
the intrinsic value of animal life
Moral/ethical: 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated' Gandhi
International acceptance: As above, but playing on a country's desire for international acceptance and regard
Democracy: The 'people want it'
Protecting country's fauna 'heritage': Domestic animals/wildlife
Humanistic/social: Preventing animal cruelty because this can have adverse impact upon human values and actions
Public health: Protecting animal and public health
Ownership/responsibility: Encouraging responsibility (liability)
Economic: Following changing consumer trends and competition
Importance of High Standards
Status of animals can be raised by improvements to legislation
Practical treatment can by raised by high legislative provisions/enforcement
Opponents – include vested financial interests – will seek to lower standards
Animal protection organizations are advocates for voiceless – animals
Time element – legislative timetable and animals not priority so:
MAKE MOST OF PRESENT OPPORTUNITY
Researching and Using Opportunities
Constant political environmental
‘scanning’
Conferences
International highlights/activities
e.g. UN/OIE activities, World Animal Day
Official press releases
Current major concerns
e.g. Climate change, obesity, health,
etc.
CommunicationsBriefing – one page or Annex
Formal letters ranked highest
E-mails (and faxes) becoming more acceptable
E-lobbying e.g. Advocacy Online
Don’t only write – talk too if possible
Follow telephone call by written confirmation
Protests – numbers versus originality
Information
Credibility
Reliable research is essential
Accurate and well-presented
Don’t be over-emotional or exaggerate
You might need/use European or other precedents
Scientific evidence may already exist (or consider commissioning)
Making Commitments Stick
Record in writing
Record with press conference
Staged live interview (TV, radio)
Inclusion in election manifesto
Get commitment at public meeting
Get commitment at conference