This presentation was part of a 2 hour workshop delivered to senior officers at Suffolk County Council to discuss and understand the implications of working in a political environment.
2. - presentation and discussion - group work - wrap up Working in a political environment outline of workshop
3. Establishing the terms " We do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business here at all" [ Pericles: 431 BC]
4. "I'm not a political person. But I think it doesn't take much to understand that this is the frontline of us fighting against extremists where... all that we hold dear and all that we value is really on the line" ( Angelina Jolie 2010) "I'm not very political if I'm honest - I'm just a mother - whose marching for her children - for her children's future" (TUC March, Saturday 26th March 2011)
5. Read the local newspaper? Voted at the last local elections? Contributed to a local fundraising effort? XXX Are a member of a pressure group or charity? Volunteer on a governing body? X Know the name of your local councillor? X Have ever contacted your local councillor? X Have ever written in to the local paper? Do you...
8. Politics can be about everything or anything. Key features of what we mean: 1. Identifying resources 2. Decision making 3. Equality and fairness 4. Operability 5. Enforceability 6. Accountability
17. What are the advantages of voting for a party? - understand / share values? - transparent about policies? - more easy to hold to account? - attract good candidates? - traditional - no great alternative? - able to communicate both national and local messages? - more credible in representing the public?
18. Activism and campaigning Lobby groups, charities, membership organisations - Are causes political? Online campaigning organisations - Political or apolitical? Over 450,000 people serving on a public body - are they politically accountable?
27. Councillors are more likely to be: - extrovert than the general population - 'future-orientated' and see the big picture - hard headed about the business case for a decision, rather than other considerations