Partners in Politics: local and national campaigning Gordon Conochie Joint Policy & Parliamentary Officer The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Crossroads Caring for Carers /

Homework! Do young carers deserve support? Are national/local policies changing lives? Is this as good as it gets?

Some general points for campaigning Find a cause Have evidence to prove there is a problem Know what the impact of the problem is Have solutions – long term and short term Target who can help you get what you want

What’s your cause? Young carers need support because: “…” Must be able to explain what a young carer does, why this has a negative impact on them, why they are deserving and what happens if they don’t get support. Must be able to do it in your own every day vocabulary – avoid technical language and get to the point. Be aware that you cannot cover everything – what are the main points? Be prepared to change for different audiences It will never be perfect

Evidence Can you use national research? Can you apply local research from elsewhere? Do your own

Knowing the impact Show the consequences Make it personal Longer term and wider consequences

Levels of change Having a dream Deciding if local or national change is needed Immediate and long term change

Make them love you Who can make the change? What would motivate them to make the change? Who or what can influence the change-maker? Who or what do you know that could influence the change-maker?

Polic y cycle Understanding the implications New networks and partnerships Officials rather than politicians Evidence of local implementation Feedback teething issues Pilots and grant schemes

Gather frontline voices –hard to reach and vulnerable Measure what works – commission research Evaluations, shared learning Build consensus towards new campaign? Parliamentary/ media drip feed Polic y cycle

A clear, shared message Use the media – case studies, surveys Coordinated lobbying of MPs, councillors Prepare for change Polic y cycle

Good preparation means: We are confident of our mandate We can assess risks and opportunities We have media-ready stakeholders Small window for changes Polic y cycle

Target your next MP Political parties have already chosen their candidates for the next election. Start targeting candidates now before the election campaigning really starts. The main parties will have lists of their Prospective Parliamentary candidates on their websites, and you can see likely winners in your constituency at:

Partners in Politics: local and national campaigning Gordon Conochie Joint Policy & Parliamentary Officer The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Crossroads Caring for Carers /