The following information is taken from a Houses of Parliament Outreach Service factsheet on ‘Effective Campaigning’
Be clear on your campaigning aims
- What is your issue?
- Who is affected? How are they affected?
- What are the consequences / benefits of (not) taking action?
- What do you want Parliament to do?
Don’t contact all MPs – Identify interested individuals
- Ministers
- Shadow Ministers
- Select Committee Members
- Your local MP, if it is about a constitutency issues
- All Party Parliamentary Group members
- MPs / Members of the Lords with a constituency or personal interest
General Advice
- Identify solutions as well as problems
- Develop friendships
- Provide local and national context
- Provide facts and ammunition
- Be aware of alternative or opposing views
- Make communications tailored and relevant
- Remember yours is not the only issue
- Don’t back people into a corner
- Remember there is no magic wand
- Don’t assume knowledge or support
Links
The Asylum Matters resources section has lots of useful resources on campaigning.
Campaign Central has information about planning a campaign, techniques and tactics
NCVO Resources on Campaigning and Lobbying plus a Campaign Strategy template
‘Get your voice heard: A guide to campaigning at Westminster’ from the House of Commons
Use Your Voice – includes information and resources on political participation
Influencing Decision Makers
The Charity Commission divides campaigning into two categories: non-political campaigning that raises awareness about an issue and political campaigning that aims to change legislation or policy.
Political campaigning cannot be the sole and continuing activity of a charity. But it can be the sole activity for a “period of time”.
Charities must remain independent from all political parties at all times. This means charities must not make a donation to a political party and must be careful when working with MPs, candidates and parties, whether or not there is an election coming up.
Charities Commission guidance on Charities and Campaigning
A Guardian article on ‘What charities need to know about campaigning in the 2017 General Election’ including what charities are allowed to do in the run-up to an election
City of Sanctuary campaigns
Speak up for Sanctuary is a programme designed by City of Sanctuary UK to support people who may have little or no previous campaigning experience to recognise their power in making change, to speak up for refugee rights and to supercharge efforts to build welcoming and compassionate communities.
The course is perfect for people involved in City of Sanctuary groups and awarded organisations or anyone else hoping to turn their compassion into action.
This programme consists of a 1.5 hour webinar and a handbook jam-packed with information, resources and exercises. Here you can find Welsh versions of the handbook and presentation.
The course covers how to:
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- Counter hostile rhetoric
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- Engage with MPs and candidates
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- Mobilise your friends, family and the wider community
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- Safely challenge misinformation
Complete the programme in your own time using the YouTube video and the handbook or look at our events page/sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with the next live online training session.
If you’re tired of reading headlines that create division, join our mission. This challenge aims to use local media to platform the call for a new, fair asylum system; normalise a compassionate approach to refugees; and grab the attention of MPs and candidates.
We are not talking about refugee rights enough. Maybe we feel overwhelmed. Maybe we fear how people will respond. But if we’re to build a kinder and fairer world, then we need to get talking.
It’s been shown that just a single ten minute long conversation encouraging actively taking the perspective of others can markedly reduce prejudice for at least 3 months. So one of the best tools we have for change is free and accessible to everyone.
Your guide to informed, compassionate conversations about asylum.
The Facts about Sanctuary provides clear, accessible information about people seeking sanctuary in the UK. But facts alone don’t change hearts and minds. This guide encourages you to bring your own thoughts, experiences, and humanity into the conversation – because connection is what truly transforms understanding.