Making A Difference
Lobbying has a bad name - and rightly so, if it is about buying
influence or exclusive access. Scottish churches have been part of
the campaign for an open and accessible Parliament, and we cannot
undermine that by seeking special influence. But lobbying is also
about persuading decision-makers. At the burning bush, God called
Moses to go and "lobby" Pharaoh - "let my people go"; not just to
preach about the evils of slavery or write a report on it but to
persuade Pharaoh to do it.
Because of our commitment to the welfare of our nation (and
especially those most vulnerable or excluded within the nation)
Scottish churches (and individual Christians) want to lobby the
Scottish Parliament as effectively as possible. Parliament does its
job much better when we (and others) make that contribution on the
basis of our experience, reflection and vision - a truly
participative Parliament makes better decisions.
That partnership between people and Parliament is the context
for our lobbying, and it is a demanding one. One of the perils of
supporting a minority football team is not only that the players
might hear what you shout at them but they might even do what you
ask. A participative Parliament demands much more of us than abuse
from the sidelines!
This briefing is aimed at helping churches, committees, groups
and individual Christians to make an effective contribution to the
political process.
The enclosed flowchart shows the pattern of Parliament's
legislative procedure, and the windows of opportunity at different
stages. You don't need to be an expert on procedure to make a
contribution, but you should get advice about what can be done when
(from SCPO or elsewhere).
Most "lobbying" is reactive - responding to proposals for policy
or legislation, or to consultation papers - but it is also possible
to be proactive, even on an issue not currently on the Parliament's
agenda. This could mean anything from talking to your MSP to
sending copies of a report to members of a Parliamentary Committee,
or presenting a petition to Parliament. First, there are questions
you need to ask yourself (or discuss in your committee).
1. What is the issue?
Although the Scottish Parliament can discuss anything it wishes,
its legislative powers are limited. The Scotland Act defines powers
reserved to Westminster (eg general taxation and foreign policy),
and you should decide whether the Scottish Parliament is the right
forum for what you want to say.
2. What do you want to say?
If you can't express it crisply and simply yourself, you are
unlikely to catch the attention of politicians or civil servants.
Of course, not everything fits into a soundbite and there is a
vital place for longer reports targeted at those who will be
interested. Consultation responses should be submitted in time and
address the questions posed (although wider/deeper issues can also
be raised at this stage). Briefing papers which offer sound
evidence for your case - experience and research (including some
statistics and vivid examples) - will be useful tools for MSPs; and
a constructive argument offering alternative solutions is more
likely to be fruitful. But you have to catch attention first, and
then balance the need for a deeper analysis with the likelihood of
its being read.
3. What do you want to achieve?
Are you just wanting to show what your Committee is doing, or do
you want to point out a problem which Parliament should look at? Do
you have specific proposals for Executive action or Parliamentary
legislation, or do you want to express a viewpoint on a current
proposal? Do you want your MSP to support a particular proposal, or
do you want to change someone's mind on an issue? (Like the rest of
us, politicians who have said something publicly don't often change
their view. That's not to say it isn't worth trying, but it needs
careful thought and imagination to be effective - better to get in
before minds are made up). Make it clear what response you are
looking for.
4. What kind of contact?
Depending on your objectives, you should think about whether a
letter, email or phone-call would be most appropriate. Other
possibilities would include arranging a meeting (presenting a
briefing face-to-face is more likely to be effective), or inviting
someone to speak at your event or to visit your project to see what
you are talking about.
5. Who should you contact?
(a)
Individual MSPs
You can contact your constituency or regional MSPs either by
letter or e-mail to their Parliamentary address (The Scottish
Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP; email addresses are all firstname.surname.msp@
scottish.parliament.uk) or by attending a local "surgery"
(advertised in local papers, etc). MSPs do take account of
constituents' views and can get answers for you from Ministers or
may even ask Parliamentary questions on issues you raise.
You also have seven regional MSPs covering your region, probably
of different parties from your constituency MSP. You can contact
them on the same terms as your constituency MSP. Churches may also
want to contact MSPs they know to be sympathetic or interested,
either in general or on a particular issue. However, remember
no MSP will take up a local issue outwith their own
area.
MSPs also have assistants and/or researchers (locally based or
at Parliament). They can be a buffer or a good way into contact;
they may well have time to read something and pass on information
to their bosses, so don't give up if you feel "fobbed off" with a
researcher.
(b)
Parliamentary Committees
If the issue you are raising is being discussed by a
Parliamentary Committee, or is within their remit, you should
contact the Committee through its clerk; you can also contact
individual members of the Committee (all Committees have
representatives of each of the four main parties). Some Committees
may have appointed "Reporters" - members of the Committee who will
take the lead on a particular issue; these could be key people to
make contact with. Full details of Committees are available from
SCPO.
Committees take written and/or oral evidence on topics they are
dealing with. If you want to give oral evidence (it might be a
better way to put your case, but you need to be ready for the
possibility of tough questions), you will have to make a case for
why your group should be heard, and decide who should speak for you
- normally a maximum of three people from any organisation.
Committee meetings are open to the public - see Parliament's
website for details or meetings, or from SCPO - but you'll need to
order a ticket in advance as space is very limited (phone 0131 348
5000). You can get minutes or full Official Reports of Committee
Meetings on the Parliamentary website or from the Stationery
Office.
(c)
Cross-party Groups
A wide range of cross-party groups focus on particular areas of
common interest (eg international development, refugees). Such
groups bring interested people outwith Parliament together with
MSPs, and that involvement with the MSPs most interested in your
issue could be very valuable. Details of groups are on the
Parliament's website or available from SCPO.
(d)
Scottish Executive
Politically, the Scottish Government is a minority government
with the Scottish National Party in power. The Government
(Ministers and civil servants) have the key responsibilities for
policy and implementation, for which Ministers are accountable to
Parliament; most proposals for legislation will be brought by
the Government (after consultation) to Parliament for enacting.
Details of Ministers and their responsibilities are available from
SCPO.
Obviously, Ministers will be important people to invite to key
meetings and (for those who regularly work in their areas of
responsibility) to build good working relationships with. SCVO's
guide to lobbying says "Government Ministers are the most obvious
targets, and often the hardest to get to. It may be easier, or more
appropriate, to meet with a Deputy Minister. In either case, it is
important to present a good reason for the meeting, and why it
needs to be with them rather than anyone else. Bear in mind that,
although they are designated to speak on a given issue, they may
well not have your level of technical expertise. What you present
needs to be accessible, but not patronising".
Ministers are also MSPs, and you should make it clear whether
you are contact them as Minister or as constituency/regional
MSP.
Civil Servants are not (in theory) policy makers and should not
therefore be "lobbied", but good relationships will be helpful for
these in regular contact. They are key sources of factual
information (remember the Freedom of Information Act), and often
will be able to discuss technical details of policy proposals and
come to meetings to discuss consultation papers or new Bills.
Spokespersons on specific issues are also appointed by other
parties. Generally they will be easier to arrange meetings with,
but of course do not make the crucial decisions.
Whoever you are contacting, remember that this should be a
two-way relationship. Your experience and expertise can help MSPs
do their job, so think about what will be helpful for them as well
as putting your own case. That will include thinking about their
interests, their constituency, their party and its line, etc. What
can you offer?
Petitions
The Scottish Parliament has a Public Petitions Committee, whose
task is to make sure you get a proper response to your petition
(though it may not be the one you hoped for). There is no
requirement for any specific number of signatures - you can present
your own petition, but it must be in the correct form, which can
either be on paper, or in the form of an online e-petition.
Guidance is available from the Parliamentary Committee, or from
clerks, or from SCPO. This is an effective way of getting a new
issue on to the agenda, but not the best way to influence a debate
that's already under way.
Political Parties
Parties are part of the political reality, as alliances of
broadly like-minded people (with an internal loyalty and
discipline). Many Christians are involved in political parties -
they are not necessarily dens of iniquity! But churches are rightly
careful about pursuing causes that seem to identify them with one
party. On the one hand, we cannot stop saying what we believe just
because it becomes the view of one party and not another; on the
other hand, we don't want to be hijacked into a party political
cause, and lobbying that is seen as party-biased will be less
effective.
Party allegiance will also be relevant in deciding who to
contact. Try to get the right balance between "preaching to the
converted" (who will be able to take your case forward) and banging
your head against a brick wall of opposition (whose minds you will
be trying to change).
Media
"Using" the media (from local papers to national TV) can be an
effective way of communicating with politicians as part of a
campaign. If you can point to coverage that your report or event
got, or even get a letter into a newspaper, that will help ensure
that politicians take note; but this can be risky and has its own
strategy which needs a bit of careful thinking out.
Getting Advice
If all this sounds intimidating, don't be put off. Parliament
needs your participation and provides good information on its
website and through "Partner Libraries" in each constituency -
there will be one near you. The Scottish Churches Parliamentary
Office exists to enable the churches to make a good contribution to
the process and can advise you on how to go about making your
point.
* * * * *
Parliament also has its own internal information service
(SPICe), and they will be happy to receive copies of important
briefing papers, etc. They will keep them in the Parliamentary
Library and may use them in the briefings they prepare for MSPs.
Send two copies to SPICe, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99
1SP.
Ten Commandments for Lobbying
- 1. Don't abuse your opponents or
demonise them; remember that they want to make a difference too,
and many of them are Christians trying to live out their
vocation.
- 2. Don't write the letter that will
make you feel good - write the one that will make a difference by
persuading someone.
- 3. Don't be afraid to express your
faith and vision - but remember that not everyone will share
it.
- 4. Don't talk about things you don't
honestly know about, and don't exaggerate.
- 5. Don't undermine your own integrity
- and that of MSPs - by your tactics, and don't offer MSPs anything
which could be seen as a "bribe"
- 6. If you're speaking on behalf of a
group or other body, make sure you have the proper
authority.
- 7. Get in touch with others who might
be allies.
- 8. Remember that a few words at the
right time will be more effective than too many words mistimed; and
your own words, carefully written, will be more effective than a
standard letter or postcard
- 9. Don't let criticism be your only
contact with your MSP(s), or only get in touch with you want
something; good relationships bear fruit.
- 10. Pray for the people you are
contacting, and for others involved in decision-making on the
issue.
And remember … please let
SCPO know what you are doing!
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