Description
Book SynopsisThe Public Affairs Guide to Westminster is the essential handbook for organisations seeking to influence legislation and shape policy development in the UK Parliament and at UK Government level, and is packed with invaluable advice on devising cost effective public affairs strategies and campaigns that achieve success on a limited budget. Robert McGeachy's step-by-step guide - for private, public and third sector organisations - expertly strips away the mysteries and misconceptions of engaging with the UK Government, Opposition parties, as well as with individual MPs, Peers and the civil service. The Public Affairs Guide to Westminster will empower campaigners to maximise their influence and to ensure their voice is heard at Westminster by comprehensively explaining: What your organisation could achieve by developing its own in-house public affairs capacity and activities How to develop a public affairs strategy to influence key policy makers at UK Government level, and in the UK Parliament How to identify the correct policy and legislative context via effective parliamentary monitoring and by developing good relations with key policy makers How to fully engage with the legislative processes in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords What action your organisation can take to influence Parliamentary Committees, and All-Party Parliamentary Groups How to make the most of Parliamentary Motions and Debates, Private Members' Bills and Public Petitions How to create, organise and undertake a public affairs programme most appropriate for your organisation including hosting parliamentar receptions, attending party conferences and joint-working with partner organisations.
Trade Review'Lobbying is an essential part of effecting necessary change and this is a must read for any aspirational organisation seeking to change the law for the public good.' Brendan O'Hara MP; 'an essential tool for anyone who wishes to lobby the UK Parliament in a cogent and successful way. This comprehensive book covers it all. Robert McGeachy has drawn on his long Parliamentary experience to produce a fascinating book full of insight and explains, in an easy to understand way, how to develop a public affairs strategy, how to monitor Parliament and gather political intelligence and how to influence key policymakers.' Michael J Clancy OBE
Table of Contents. The Westminster Dynamic 2. Developing a Public Affairs Strategy 3. The Impact of Devolution 4. Exploiting Parliamentary Monitoring and Political Intelligence Gathering 5. Influencing Key Policy Makers 6. Engaging with MPs and Peers 7. Influencing the Political Parties 8. Making the Most of Consultation Responses 9. Engaging with Parliamentary Committees 10. Legislation: Influencing the Pre-legislative Stage 11. Legislation: Overview of the Parliamentary Process 12. Legislation: Influencing the Parliamentary Process 13. Private Members' Bills 14. Parliamentary Questions 15. Parliamentary Debates 16. Early Day Motions 17. Petitions 18. All-Party Parliamentary Groups 19. Maximising the Impact of Parliamentary Events 20. Making the Most of Party Conferences 21. Developing Effective Partnership Working 22. Maximising Media Impact Summary Bibliography
