LobbyingModule 7

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’).

The Successful Lobbyist

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

Lobbying Strategy

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

Corporate Lobbying

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

Channels of Influence

Shareholders

Suppliers

Customers

Media

Supporters

Legislative Structures, Systems and Processes

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

People

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 Barriers

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.

Communicating your Message

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

Just Do It!

Don’t be intimidated…

Remember, lobbying is your democratic right