campaign tip: how to add impact

One tip to add immense impact to your campaign - from Tom Scott, Green Party Campaigns Coordinator:

Think about communities and interest groups beyond your usual circle of acquaintances who you might be able to get onside.

When I was campaigning with Friends of the Earth against a massive and environmentally very damaging dredge that was being planned by my local harbour authority, getting local fishermen on board was absolutely crucial in moving public opinion (which has initially been strongly in favour of the dredge).

As part of the campaign, we organised a big public meeting, to which we invited marine biologists, environmental organisations, fishermen and representatives of the harbour authority. Hearing the fishermen describe the effects of the last (smaller) dredge on local fish stocks was absolutely crucial in moving public opinion, and preventing the dredge from being carried out as planned.

Hearing their stories, simply and passionately told, was more effective in emotive terms than the scientific evidence presented by the marine biologists, strong as that was.

Tom Scott

PS: Amid so much grim news of austerity cuts to council budgets and the government’s shameful decision slash development aid to the world’s poorest, it’s good to see more former Labour councillors coming over to the Greens. If you know any Labour councillors who may be feeling they’re in the wrong party, do send them this recent article by four brilliant Green councillors - it might persuade them there is a better way!