Becoming an effective political activist involves more discipline and personal honesty than most people are willing to give. So in the first article of this short series, let’s start by de-constructing all the usual assumptions.
Social media has brought huge advantages for drawing together those who want to change the world. Or, at least it has appeared to. In some ways though, it’s been a disaster.
It gives the impression of action, whereas too often it provides just another opportunity to whinge and do nothing. Becoming a keyboard warrior and complaining on Twitter about the state of the world isn’t politics, it’s self-indulgence.
So, for those who are chewing the carpet for ways of acting on climate change, overhauling the planning laws, or getting a lollypop lady for the local primary school, here’s how to do it.
Let’s get the negatives out of the way first
Politics is about informing and persuading people, and co-ordinating support to achieve your goals. It doesn’t really matter at what level you’re pitching your project – your neighbourhood, the country, the world – the steps towards doing so are much the same.
We’ll start with the depressing bit and deconstruct the well-worn attempts at politics which so often pre-occupy local groups.
But first, the hat-tip to all those seasoned activists who turn out every weekend, in all weathers, who have already learned the hard way, and don’t need any more advice, thank you very much.
Do you want to win, or just make a noise?
That is the crucial first question, and you have to be honest with yourself. Winning is going to take discipline and commitment, and will probably take you out of your comfort zone.
Making a noise is easy. You can wave banners, shout slogans and feel smug about yourself. But you need completely different strategies for winning. It can mean keeping your mouth shut at times when you really want to let rip. Or doing something that may get you a headline, but will hinder the narrative you’re trying to write about.
Demonstrations are a waste of time
Of course, you may be just wasting your time. For example, demonstrations take a lot of organisation, and to what end? The bigger the demonstration, the more difficult it is to keep control and discipline; and you have no way of keeping out those with whom you don’t want to be associated. If a shop window is broken, then that will get the headlines, and you will be held responsible.
Pro-EU demonstrations in London claim a million people, and attendees boast about how well-mannered everyone was. But however strongly they felt, walking round the streets was all they were going to do, and they just hoped those in power would take heed.
Pssst … Nobody is listening
They won’t, they didn’t, they never will. A demonstration has to have an edge, and if you’re determined to be law-abiding (as you probably are) and make it clear that’s the position, then a day out for a stroll with lots of like-minded people is all it is. Of course, it may make you feel good about yourself, but be honest: is it going to achieve anything?
One other thing: at the slightest hint that this protest will involve poetry, give up and make for the nearest pub. Poetry has its strengths, but they are not in politics – not here. It may work in South America; in Attleborough, it’s the clearest proclamation that you are out to waste everybody’s time.
Petitions? A lot of organisation again; the recipient has to do nothing except accept it, maybe invite a press photographer along in order to appear to readers as a person of the people. Congratulations. You’ve just provided her or him with lots of positive publicity which has probably defeated your purpose.
MPs rarely read your letters
So how about stern letters to key MPs? They will almost certainly never read them. Their staff will skim through them, and at best, offer up a brief summary. Often, they are simply ignored.
Letters to the press may well be published. But don’t assume this is some great triumph, that the force of your argument has won over the letters editor. It’s his or her job to make sure there is controversy. So, for every pro-Brexit letter, an opposing view is needed. Your letter is published not for its news value or the shrewdness of your arguments, but because it represents cannon fodder; it’s something to keep the debate going.
Whatever your project, this question of whether to win or make a noise is always the hardest part.
Choosing the long road to gaining influence
“Are you with me?” you cry. “One hundred per cent!” they shout. But actually, if you have 20 people backing you, and two or three are really committed and realise the need to be canny, you’re lucky. Mind, that’s all it needs at the beginning.
Winning usually requires a completely different approach to making a noise, a different strategy. Be clear what you’re trying to achieve, chart the steps realistically from here to there, and be disciplined. Besting your opponent in the letters column of the local paper will gratify you and please your supporters, while infuriating your opponents. But they have already made up their minds. Empty newspaper arguments are unlikely to change many others. So much for the demolition, then. That’s what you shouldn’t waste your effort doing. Next time, we’ll look at how to be effective, and the long road to gaining influence.
