What makes a campaign tactic effective ?

I think everyone should join and get involved in a local branch of a mainstream political party, and in particular help with local council election campaigns. There’s a lot of naivety about how elections work. And, as well, many major political decisions are made within a the parties.

In the current climate I feel that the first priorities should be the cleaning up of politicians and the dragging of parliament into the 21st century. Tradition is fine, but efficiency is better.

Living in a city in Scotland which has suffered recently from the indiscretions of Public Servants who have squandered millions of pounds of Public money on things the Public were not asked or even told about until it was too late, I feel strongly about accountability.
Employees of Local Authority being allowed to ‘bow out gracefully’ while taking early retirement is another example of the ‘scams’ we have to succumb to as Tax payers. Tradition or ‘jobs for the boys’ attitudes should be erased from public office and sweeping changes are essential to bring back confidence in society.
Of course it’s funny how naive we are until it’s too late but now through 38 Degrees we might just have a chance to become ‘informed’ citizens. Some people see this as extremism, Socialism bordering on Nationalism but I see it as our democratic ‘right’ to speak and be listened to. Let’s not hinder the processes of proper democracy any longer!

Along with my county even my smile has disappeared – the replacement of Cheshire County Council and numerous City and Borough COuncils by 2 Unitary Authorities was just bull-doze through with negligible meaningful public consultation.

Often it is the faction with the most political sway that influences decisions and this varies enormously from business interests to union and staff pressures. In our current parlous financial situation the financial burden of public sector staffing levels, numerous quangos and over generous remuneration and pension schemes should be under rigorous scrutiny. Sadly in many areas of the country a combination of unemployment, other benefit claimants and high reliance on public sector employment means that no political party would dare to take the required action to rein in the obscene costs and ever increasing burden of state expenditure and resulting high direct taxation.

I am however dubious of the effectiveness of so called”people power”. If something like a million marching against the illegal invasion of Iraq by Blair and his War Criminal Cabinet could not influence decisions then there is little hope. Very best wishes however for a refreshing new initiative.

To make a campaign tactic effective it would be best to look at how the professional lobbyists operate. Also to be very precise about what change we want to effect. Many of the laws drafted by parliament are so generalised as to be totally ineffective- note all the expenses claims that are ‘within the rules’.

I feel that it is crucial that community anger be utilised & nurtured. There is plenty of it, much of likely mto be wasted – simply evaporating over time, becoming cynicism or hopelessness. Some of it will be spent voting – the game the politicos like us to join, & pretty useless as majorities in parliament are often decided by the way a vote goes in a dozen or so ‘key’/ constituencies. My vote, in Edinburgh West is wasted unless I want the LibDem back in; most of the votes cast in cities such as Glasgow, Newcastle & Birmingham are ‘weighed’ by a grateful & supine Labour party, which then goes on to pass legislation badly affecting the often poor & unemplyed of, yes, Glasgow, Newcastle & B’ham who voted them in.

The problem with, it needs to be said, middle-class inspired movements is that they don’t know how to involve the powerless, disenchanted & ‘non-political’ – maybe most young people who have never had a job, most single parents who are on low benefits with even those under threat, & many elderly people that is to say. How can we reach such groups?

I think that basically we need to get rid of the present political class – they have failed everyone but the very rich, the rich, the educationally powerful & industrialists: they are not going to cede power easily, if at all, & they have seen how gently one of ‘theirs’ (Darling) has looked after the interests of the rich, able, like Darling, to afford an accountant/lawyer to guide them through, past or under poorly worded & ill thought out legislation meant (was it?) to get them to pay more/some taxes. Same goes for legislation affecting the low paid: with a little ‘help’ from ‘industry’ the Low Pay Commission (all well-heeled people they) have inclreased the national minimum wage by 7p an hour, ie £127.40 over a working year of 35hrs a week.

And what to these low waged people do about this? What can they do under the present so-called democratic system when the rich call all the shots having the ears & minds of rightwing politicians (that’s all of them) who basically don’t want change because change would affect their own life style. A bit of a rant, this, but you did ask for comments.

1. Slogan t-shirts (no more than 3 words (like YES WE CAN, 3 words are the key to hitting targets).

eg IT’S MY PARLIAMENT
COUNT MY VOTE
NO MORE LORDS
LAND REFORM NOW
(MP’S NAME)- YOU’RE FIRED!

2. Hold primary elections in constituencies even if parties are not doing it. Ask via letters in local papers etc for names of people who want to stand, and have open meetings to get folks to choose someone they think should then be considered by local parties.

“The problem with, it needs to be said, middle-class inspired movements is that they don’t know how to involve the powerless, disenchanted & ‘non-political’ – maybe most young people who have never had a job, most single parents who are on low benefits with even those under threat, & many elderly people that is to say. How can we reach such groups? ”

This so far is the most poingnant example of what is needed .quote from Steve Olney,
How do you approach and get these people involved , hear their voices and opinions they are the numbers that count , they are often intimidated by the the language of politicians and highly educated individuals jargon. Then often swayed in voting or asking for something for fear of doing the right thing and not actually knowing why,or following in family traditions not having a real voice for lack of understanding.
Bring the language of politics to the people on all levels and languages ,they are the back bone of England and often unheard for fear of being humiliated ,intimidated or patronised but often are hiding the most valid points .
The bored housewife what do they do in their spare time, the college student , disabled, the elderly, how can you connect with these people , in the supermarkets , social networks, PTA groups more coverage needs to be brought in to these areas so they also can put their own imput and not feel afraid to say what they want & feel about our world we live in.
Let people know there is hope for change with an ear to listen to their voice and to speak on their behalf….

.

What makes a campaign tactic effective? If it persuades politicians to support it. They are more likely to do this is they think their election/re-election depends on it.

In the run-up to an election, 38 degrees could solicit the views of everyone standing for election, regarding each campaign you are running. The candidates’ views can be neatly tabulated on your website, so voters can easily compare what the candidates stand for.

Better still, since you have the postcode of everyone who subscribes to each of your campaigns, you can email each subscriber with the information about the candidates standing in their area.

And you could even allow subscribers to a campaign to tick a button saying they’ll only vote for a candidate who supports the campaign. You could then on your website tally this up for each parliamentary constituency etc. Then MPs could see messages like “10,467 votes in Allstations South say they’ll only vote for a candidate who supports Recall Elections for MPs — the current MP’s majority is 3,901″.

Hello (cross posting a comment here) – what you are all missing is that the reason MoveOn and MyBarackObama.com did so well is because they were linked to party political candidates, in this case Democrats. You cut out the party political angle of what they did and you are left with nothing more than a glorified version of the e-Petitions bit on the Prime Minister’s website.

Here are some comments from the leading progressive blog in the UK, Liberal Conspiracy, about 38 degrees. If you can’t convince these people, then you haven’t got much of a base:

http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/2009/05/26/a-british-moveon-38-degrees-launches-today

“I might be more convinced by this campaign if it hadn’t been named by people clearly targeting those who go skiing.

This doesn’t look like my revolution.”

“What is the agenda?
How will the agenda be set?
Who will control it?
How will the group be democratic internally?
How will the wider democratic process be strengthened?
How will 38 Degrees deal with questions where there is difference among the “members”?”

“38 Degrees is a top down organisation founded by a few cosy mates. The website lists those who founded and will run the organisation; there is no mention of how those who do the campaigning will be represented in the decision making processes… So if 100 “members” request that 38 Degrees campaigns against cosy government relations with Hugo Chavez (I deliberately picked a topic that splits the liberal left), how transparently will the decision be made?”

“Do these people never learn that these movements emerge from the grassroots; they don’t suddenly spring up from media luvvies or whichever jumped up upper middle-class wankers are behind this.”

“Truly crap name, uninspiring organisational structure, and less-than-impressive ideas… Still, managed to get themselves on Radio 4 today…wonder who’s mates with which producers?

(exits in a huff, muttering grumpily about “just another bloody London-centric, Blair-loving lobbying group”…)”

I like P. Whiteheads suggestions, perhaps the T.Shirts could be sold at large outdoor events, such as concerts.
The public are angry, but this mood needs to be utilised, now, before it is diluted by personal economic concerns.

Need to campaign harder to get more of views and opinions of the people.
Yes of course,keep the pressure up on the recall but at the same time get the word out there, that 38degrees is here and help is on its way.
I have spoken to many people , as yet not one person who has actually heard anything about this site or 38 degrees in general, are we forgetting here not everyone has access to the internet so what is happening about getting out to “the people ” without people there is no power.I would like to know and be kept updated?
I have contacted people through internet resources myself so far contacting the young in education Uni’s friends family and have asked them to pass on details and get involved all from my bed.
I wish I was able to do more.
I was lucky to learn about 38degrees through a friend and I am in strong support of the group, not everyone has that luxury of being in the know.
Grannie Buggins whos blind from Petersfield with chronic arthritis and struggles with her recycling has a right to have her say or Shelia the single mum from Bognor Regis who’s husband left her with 2 children , she has education to state school can’t even spell referendum let alone pronounce it or know what it means but she has never claimed benifits juggles 3 jobs whilst doing school runs, she still thinks 38 degrees is a temp close to giving calpol! but, she would like her say, she has a lot of valid ideas to put forward and keeps them to herself as she does not who to talk to.
There are so many scenarios I could mention but the picture is pretty clear .
Rome was not built in a week I know,but, without the men there would have been no Rome ,so lets just keep thinking of ways to get the word out there.
The pressure on the recall is the first building block , so the petition needs more signatures, glad to hear its moving forward onto the street.
Thats my opinion however niave just think it would be nice to know how the reach to the people is being put into effect.
I agree that there is a great need to act now whilst people are angry, want help and a resolution to their concerns , they are all looking for a solution .
There is a great need to reach out to them and invite them aboard.

Before anyone thinks I am being patronising or insulting the single mum that was me the most important item on my agenda in those days was how to get food on the table.
The blind Grannie is my great Aunt.
But similar people are out there and need to be contacted and made aware.

First, don’t reinvent the wheel. The Power Inquiry funded by the Rowntrees Trusts ran a whole commission on this in 2006 – there are already some good solutions & previous campaigns out there – see also Charter88.

Email concrete actions to your mailing list. People like to be told simply what to do and how to take part in a campaign. I certainly do. Don’t send too much extraneous information too regularly or folk will turn off (the Age of Stupid campaign does this).

Equally email concrete actions or better yet, events to those on your facebook group. Facebook makes it easier for group members to spread the news to their friends who they think will be interested.

Offer concrete ways of volunteering for the campaign. Specify approximate time commitment. We don’t want to feel powerless but it’s up to people who are running campaigns to give their members ways of becoming less powerless, more than just signing a petition.

Sorry folks, but this isn’t going to work. Trying to get the Lawmakers to make a law that will lose them their jobs is a waste of time. Over 64,000 people have already signed a petition to get the Prime Minister to resign. What has the result of that been? Nothing. He arrogantly continues with his premiership. All a petition is doing is “asking” them to consider this. They will consider it, and then reject it. Petitions, leaflets and T-Shirts may look great when their being marched down a street with music and banners, but in the long run they achieve nothing. Peaceful protest and “working within the system to change it” will never work. Revolution will.

S. Williams,

Why SELL T-shirts. If this is about changing the country for the better, give the damn things away. Then you will have thousands wearing it, not just hundreds. It won’t make any difference though, this is all just a pointless exercise. Change will only come when the MAJORITY of the country (that would be US) rise up and take the country back from the MINORITY (the political class). We outnumber them MILLIONS to ONE.

I agree with what people have said about being direct and simple, but there’s still a lot of scope to be creative and surprising – I think this is more important when the ease of emailing an MP for example makes it easy for an MP to dismiss the emails.

This campaign (in fact to resurrect a US TV show) worked by substituting letter writing for peanut sending, and so make the impact much more real for the recipients http://abcnews.go.com/Business/FunMoney/Story?id=3214156

A new group like 38 degrees probably needs to be more creative like this to make an impact early on

Agree strongly with Jo James.

Cutting through the jargon of politics will be essential to defeating the population’s apathy. 38 degrees’ campaigns should be translated into ‘UK urban yoof’ innit!?

Getting popular celebrities on board would likely help in that regard. Persuade Dizzee Rascal and Mike Skinner to have an MC battle over a RATM loop…

‘If you’re not down with what they’re calling ‘policies’
Come and get on board with 38 degrees
If you don’t believe in our elected MPs
Come and get involved with 38 degrees
If you think they’re gettin away with whatever they please
Do something about it at 38 degrees
People power baby, mobilise MCs!
Take the power back at 38 degrees”

btw…I emailed my MP, Des Turner for years without getting anything more than an automated response from him.

I discovered that theyworkforyou.com attach an e-sig to your email which (it would appear) compelled Des to respond, so if you’re having trouble with an uncommunicative MP get on to twfy (innit)!

People must see that the campaign is relevant to their lives, beneficial and with realistic objectives. We have had enough of so-called “spin”, political correctness and jargon. Perhaps, most importantly of all, we want to be treated as valued members of society. We want our voice to be heard, and actually responded to!

I like the idea of t-shirts and I don’t care if I have to pay for them either. Just give me the tools to get the shelf stackers of Sainsbury’s – of which I am a very proud member- talking about what they can do to effect change in their OWN political system come election day rather than reading the back page of the Sun and we’ve cracked it.
Does e-mailing your M.P. really work? Pressing some buttons on a keyboard doesn’t stop me feeling angry and annoyed.

Where’s the 38 degree car stickers. Even the Electoral Reform Society had some publicity even if I had to print it off and sellotape to the back of the car window.

Come on do something stop talking.

Pick a topic……….Personally, I think any pressure group for change
should keep on MPs’ expenses like a “dog with a bone” and frankly knore it to death. This is the achilles heel of all parties and
using the statistics that are free to all to read and analise, it is
fairly straightforward for any pressure group to identify and target those MPs’ with a shaky record and go for the jugular.
As I see it the electorate will again stumble into another 10 years of political dogma, this time at least not shameless New Labour, but in all probability the Tory equivalent; and this will change nothing and solve even less. I believe Joe Public is ready for a more dramatic change, and there are more potential activists in the U.K. than ever before.

Non-violent direct action, on their doorstep, visible, effective, satisfying.
Who said democracy was so great anyway? How about a bit of local, grassroots, empowering, responsible anarchy?
Please check the true definition of Anarchy before thinking I want to start a riot, real anarchy has no links with violence.