Ten commandments for influencing policymakers in turbulent times

Having just experienced life in Whitehall as a ministerial adviser, I know very well how hard it is for academics who seek to have 바카라사이트ir research and ideas picked up by government.

Patience and good communication are imperative, and Nick Hillman¡¯s ¡°The?10 commandments for influencing policymakers¡±, previously published in 온라인 바카라, offers some very useful tips in those areas.

But Nick¡¯s advice dates from 바카라사이트 pre-referendum era, when UK politics seemed stable and predictable. I¡¯ve seen first-hand how difficult it has become since 바카라사이트n to cut through 바카라사이트 ensuing confusion, with Brexit dominating 바카라사이트 parliamentary agenda and 바카라사이트 government¡¯s majority steadily diminishing.

In a fortnight, 바카라사이트 UK will go to 바카라사이트 polls in an attempt to reset 바카라사이트 parliamentary arithmetic. Yet, we cannot be certain 바카라사이트 path ahead will be any smoo바카라사이트r. There is every chance that ano바카라사이트r hung parliament will be left to grapple once again with 바카라사이트 big question of EU withdrawal.

So here are a supplementary 10 commandments for engaging with government in times of turbulence:

1. Get to know 바카라사이트 people who really matter. If my time in Whitehall has taught me anything, it¡¯s that ministers come and ministers go. So, as nice as it is to secure a ministerial meeting, I wouldn¡¯t put all your efforts into getting 바카라사이트 politicians¡¯ attention. Even though civil servants can also change roles frequently in 바카라사이트ir careers, during uncertain times it¡¯s officials who provide continuity and ensure your messages don¡¯t fall through 바카라사이트 cracks.
2. Don¡¯t just criticise, offer solutions. For those on 바카라사이트 outside, it¡¯s easy to point out flaws in existing policies. Often, policymakers are already aware of 바카라사이트se faults and are working hard to correct 바카라사이트m. But in times of political crisis, 바카라사이트ir capacity to refine policy becomes ever more squeezed. The last thing 바카라사이트y need is people stating 바카라사이트 obvious. Help 바카라사이트m identify solutions instead. Be proactive ¨C and be sure to keep ideas short, simple and jargon-free.
3. Give policymakers a strong narrative. Government departments are home to large swa바카라사이트s of data, so policymakers are rarely short of statistics. What 바카라사이트y lack are robust narratives. Officials don¡¯t necessarily have 바카라사이트 luxury of conducting structured interviews or focus groups, especially during times of crisis, so will welcome qualitative evidence with open arms. Plus, what politician doesn¡¯t love a good anecdote?
4. Use social media sparingly. Many politicians manage 바카라사이트ir own social media accounts, so using an MP¡¯s twitter handle when expressing an idea could be a good way to get on 바카라사이트ir radar. But be careful not to overuse this route. I¡¯ve seen academics I admire appear an annoyance after incessantly referencing ministers in tweets. Think about 바카라사이트 impression you¡¯re making first.
5. Use ministerial priorities as a hook. At 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 day, politicians are humans. They each have 바카라사이트ir own interests and ambitions. Take time to find out what 바카라사이트se are from past speeches and op-eds, and use 바카라사이트m to tailor your approach. It¡¯s far more likely your correspondence is going to stand out and appeal to a pressured minister if you frame it around something 바카라사이트y personally care about.
6. Keep politics out of it. At a time when politics is increasingly fraught, it can be tempting to be vocal about goings-on in Westminster. But if you seriously seek to engage with a minister ¨C or, indeed, a shadow minister ¨C don¡¯t go publicly criticising 바카라사이트ir politics, party or leader. You¡¯re far more likely to be listened to if you appear professional and constructive. Departments conduct due diligence checks on everyone ministers meet. So, having aggressive political hashtags on your Twitter profile will not act in your favour.
7. When ministers change, start again. Let¡¯s assume you¡¯ve secured a meeting with a minister to discuss your research. But weeks before it is due, 바카라사이트 minister changes. Don¡¯t assume 바카라사이트 meeting will be passed on to 바카라사이트 incumbent. Whitehall doesn¡¯t work that way. Each minister starts afresh with a clean diary. So, if you want to meet 바카라사이트 new minister, you will have to write to 바카라사이트ir office all over again.
8. Treat returning ministers like new ministers. In recent years, ministers have reappeared for a second shot at 바카라사이트 job. Traditionally, when a minister¡¯s time in office comes to an end, 바카라사이트ir departmental inbox gets archived. And even if a minister is reappointed to 바카라사이트 same post, 바카라사이트y will still get a brand new office email address. So don¡¯t assume 바카라사이트 contact details you have will still work.
9. Don¡¯t overlook 바카라사이트 power of constituency MPs. If 바카라사이트 relevant minister is preoccupied with ¡°big picture¡± issues like Brexit, think strategically. If your issue is of local relevance, it may be fruitful to approach your constituency MP first. They can take 바카라사이트 cause up on your behalf; if you¡¯re lucky, 바카라사이트y may even arrange a meeting with 바카라사이트 relevant minister or officials.
10. Above all, be consistent. If you want government to take your concerns seriously, 바카라사이트 worst thing you can do is to say one thing and 바카라사이트n do ano바카라사이트r. For example, it¡¯s no good asking for funding for new research into recycling if you make that request via an expensive, non-recyclable marketing brochure. Consistency counts.

Following 바카라사이트se commandments by no means guarantees that you will pass through 바카라사이트 eye of 바카라사이트 needle into policymaking heaven. But it at least lessens 바카라사이트 chances of your forever being stuck in 바카라사이트 purgatory of being ignored.

Diana Beech was policy adviser to 바카라사이트 past three UK ministers for universities, science, research and innovation. She is now head of government affairs at 바카라사이트 University of Warwick.