Get ready for the 2015 general election

achieving impact and influence

#readyfor2015

Who are we?

Emily WallaceDirectorConnect Communications

e.wallace@connectpa.co.uk

Sara PetelaPublic Affairs OfficerThe College of Occupational Therapists

sara.petela@cot.co.uk

This session • Politics and what it means for COT• The political timetable and road to 2015• Polls and pundits – what are they saying• Big picture political positioning • Health in the manifesto’s• COT - looking ahead• Working better together

How political are you?

Why is politics important for COT• change policy and priorities• raise profile of people/issues/organisation• manage and motivate members• manage and build your reputation and

recognition of your organisation• extend your networks• generate positive relationships – with

stakeholders, partners, media

Forthcoming elections 2014 2015 2016 2017English local governmentNorthern Ireland local council Mayoral electionsEuropean ParliamentReferendum on independence for Scotland

UK ParliamentNorthern Ireland Assembly**Northern Ireland local governmentEnglish local governmentMayoral elections

National Assembly for WalesScottish ParliamentLondon AssemblyMayor of LondonEnglish local governmentMayoral electionsPolice and Crime Commissioner (England and Wales)

English local governmentMayoral electionsScottish local government

The next year in politics

Electioneering Summer reshuffles

4 JuneQueen’s Speech

18 SeptemberScottish

referendum

Sept / OctoberParty

Conferences

30 MarchDissolution of

Parliament

Official campaign and

manifesto launches

7 MayGeneral Election

New Government

Polls and pundits

Scottish referendum

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Yes

No

May 2014

The polls are narrowing

Big picture positioning?

Conservative key messages

we’re on the right track

we need to keep going for the long

term security of the country

we would be even better with a

majority Conservative Government

Labour hasn’t changed and they can’t be trusted on the economy

Labour key messages

a recovery for all, tackling the cost of

living crisis

the Tory Government is

out of touch

One Nation

we must devolve money and power

to local communities

Liberal Democrat key messages

the country needs us in government as an anchor to the centre

ground

we have softened the hard edges of the Conservatives

Labour still can’t be trusted to govern alone

Health and social care big messages

Privatisation:you cant

trust Cameron

with the NHS

Quality and safety:

You can’t trust Labour with

the NHS

The NHS can’t afford another

Labour Government

The NHS is safe under Labour

Integration integration integration

No new money

The Conservatives’ Health Manifesto

The Conservatives’ Health Manifesto

Unpopularity of health reforms identified as one of top ten election “risks” for Conservatives

Likely health policy campaign themes

• No more structural change• End of soviet tractor type targets• Integration and improved social care, possibly including social housing• More private providers – but managed market• Positive about personalisation agenda• The “Patients’ Party”?

Labour’s Health Manifesto

Labour’s Health Manifesto

NHS identified as one of the top election assets for Labour

Likely health policy manifesto themes:

• Whole person care• An integrated health and social care service fit for 21st century• Social care free for all at point of use and staff into the NHS?• Repeal (parts of) Health and Social Care Act • Focus on limiting marketisation/privatisation with a move back to

preferred provider model• Devolve all funding to local authorities (with no ring fence and CCGs

to become advisory)?

Liberal Democrats’ Health Manifesto

Liberal Democrats’ Health Manifesto

Health policy campaign themes

• Better and more integrated care• Dignity at home – transforming social care• Dilnot cap on social care costs• More focus on mental health • More mutual providers• More democracy – strengthening HWBs

What are we doing

Strategic aim: Be the voice of the profession

Recent successes include: • Professional Advisor for Children & Young People appointed as

an Expert Advisor to Lord Freud • CEO about to complete 3 year term as a Social Care Fellow for

NICE • Sit on numerous committees and advisory boards; e.g. DFE

advisory panel on developing the SEN Code of Practice• Influenced the Care Act 2014• Respond to hundreds of consultations across all four countries

Looking ahead

What’s on our radar? Current and upcoming areas of focus include:

• Integration • Prevention and early-intervention• Reablement • Vocational rehabilitation • Children with SEND • Age-friendly communities • Public Health

Working better together

• How can you help?• Tell us what you’re doing • Share feedback on our activities • Send us case studies and evidence - from

you and your service users• Be politically active in your local area – write

to your MP, host site visits, attend MP surgeries and ask questions, etc

Any questions

what’s the difference?

• management of internal and external comms to create and maintain a positive image

• primarily engaging with a public audience

• often through the media, but also involves launches, events, social media

• promotion of an organisation or cause amongst political or policy audiences

• primarily engaging with politicians, officials and other stakeholders

• through legislation, regulation, and policy formation

PR PA

know what’s going on

• political monitoring •media/social media• political parties and manifestos• conferences and events• trade bodies and partners• networking

The OppositionOther trade unionsPolitical

parties

Public opinion Civil Servants

Media

Social media

Formal/informal advisors

Campaign groups

Businessand industry

Think tanks

Blogs

MPs

Select Cttees

Ministers& former Ministers

Peers

Decision maker

who influences?

current relationships?

• advisers• Ministers/Government• MPs• officials • media• supporters/allies • industry/sector

who are your key advocates?

the who

• where are your strongest relationships?

• who are your most influential advocates?

• are you effectively communicating to decision makers?

• are your supporters and advocates speaking on your behalf?

the what

• what are your key messages?• what arguments have the

most impact?• are there different messages

for different audiences?

the how, when and what!

• one-to-one meetings

• events• Parliamentary event• stunts/lobbies• research/briefing • media and social

media

• case studies/advocates

• coalitions and partners

• using members• Parliamentary activity• opinion polling• party conferences

segment your stakeholders

rank your stakeholders

what could you rank?

• importanceo nowo in the futureo on policyo for income

• accessibility• statutory role• degree of support

• geographical location• influence• potential to grow

relationship• strength of

relationship

top tips

• know what you are trying to achieve

• find out who is making the decision and who is influencing them

• keep up to date with changing circumstances

• understand the difference between policy and politics