5 simple things not to do with a politician

Some simple suggestions for any campaigner and lobbyist dealing with politicians.

1. Communicate in a language that politicians can understand. Stop the gobbledygook. Most lobbyists and campaigners speak gobbledygook. Even if they wanted to take up your issue they could not because your case does not make sense.
2. Make the issue interesting. Don’t bore the politician.  Frame your issue more like a campaign than a doctoral defence.
3.  Don’t spend more on the PR on the issue than you are spending on the solution to the problem. If you do politicians, and nearly everyone else, won’t believe you are serious. They think it is just spin. It seems to frustrate a politician when a campaigner or lobbyist avoids the real problem in the room. Too often, the real issue is avoided, even when it is to someone’s advantage. Go figure!
4. If the Politicians offer to organise a public exchange of views between both sides of the issue, take up the offer. If you don’t, they know you don’t have a strong case.
5. When they ask for your ideal ‘legislative’ solution and you don’t hand it over, the good politician realises you are faking it. If you say a piece of legislation is not working, you need to hand over a draft Parliamentary Bill/Proposal that shows them the changes needed and the reasons for the changes. If you don’t have it, you have given the game away, you have no case.