New government, new approaches?

Any campaigner will be familiar with the joyous and fast approaching Q4 process of planning for next year. But despite countless theories of change, numerous lobby days and 100s of constituency events between us, many (myself included) will only know campaigning under 14 years of Tory rule.

What’s different about Labour’s approach to (some of) the issues we care about? What do we need to know about this Government to influence it? And what of our campaigning tactics, mindsets or even habits need to go?

This is by no means an exhaustive reading list but hopefully a starting point to get thinking about those questions even if we struggle to answer them right now.

Thanks to the ace Beth Tegg for the inspiration for this. And for anyone looking for a campaigns consultant who loves this kind of conversation as you develop your strategies – hit me up!

On charities generally:

“A change of tone seems more likely than a grand reset of the state-civic society relationship” - (older but still useful) How can Civic Society prepare for the next Parliament?

“83% of Conservative MPs said that the charity sector as a whole is too political compared with just 8% of Labour MPs” - Labour MPs attitude towards charities

On foreign policy and development:

“It’s the hope that being good will rebuild British power, rather than New Labour’s model of using power to do good” - What Should Britain’s Role in the World Be Now?

“Policy will move a bit. Perception will shift faster and further” - What does Labour’s win mean for British foreign policy?

“Labour has a proud record on international development and its focus on reconnecting and multilateralism arrive at a critical moment globally” - How Should the New Labour Government Rebuild Britain’s Approach to International Development?

On environmental issues:

“A new Government with fresh impetus is trying to do things at pace with a clear message around the need to drive the transition to Net Zero” - (from a legal perspective) The energy transition - Labour unpick the past and outline their policy vision

On shaping policy:

“[Labour] constrain themselves so much more than we were, not because of the actual circumstances, but just because of the media environment in which they’re operating” - (again older but interesting) The new wonkocracy: Who are the think tanks shaping Labour policy?

"If it wins the election the party will need capacity for even more “big-picture” thinking about how to deal with big challenges" - The think-tank laying the groundwork for a Labour government

On influencing and campaigning:

“Go into your time with new ministers saying what you think. Say so with respect, say so thoughtfully, but please, say what you think.” - (from civil servants perspective but helpful nonetheless) - How to build relationships with new ministers

Obviously there had to be one from my old boss Tom B. who, unsurprisingly if you know Tom, has been thinking about this - How should campaigners prepare for a Labour Government?

“The focus must be on building robust support systems, fostering a positive narrative around campaigning, and being bold in the fight for our civic space” - The state of campaigning in 2024: what now and what next?

On lessons from other governments:

"If Labour wins the next general election, 85% of its shadow ministerial team will have never served in government before and the party will not have managed a transition for over 27 years." - (written before the election but I found it useful) - Three lessons from Biden and Albanese on how Labour hits the ground running

Longer reads focused on the economics:

‘Riders on the Storm’: what would a Labour government face?

Breaking Out

And of course, something on public attitudes:

Five years of unprecedented challenges?- The impact of the 2019-2024 Parliament on public opinion