Lobbying and Campaigning

Contacts

Updated 29/9/08

Follow the trail

This page

Issues: Freedom of Information legislation, transparency.
General links.
National government.
Scotland, Wales, NI.
Regional assemblies, agencies.
Local government.
European and international politics.
Political parties.

Elsewhere

Campaigning Resources (including Publications, On the Web) on a separate page.
Regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, government audit.
Research resources page (issues of particular interest to the sector).
Dealing with the media and PR has mainly links to Press: directories, resources and listings; PR Services; Alternative media. Also something on the issues.
On the Areas of Concern 'front page' we have a Government/democracy/media section, covering censorship, electoral reform etc.
See Working Relations - Government contacts for the sector, for offices handling voluntary sector policy etc.

Context

This page is a cross between briefings and listings style. Part of Taking Action grouping.

Issues

Freedom of Information

FoI legislation, implemented fully from 1st January 2005, should (gradually) have a major impact. There will be a legal right to request access to all types of "recorded" information held by public bodies. Information professionals may want to acquire Introduction to Freedom of Information from Freepint. Other reference sources:

The Information Commissioner is the official overseer of the regulations under Freedom of Information (England and Wales). This body also has responsibility for Environmental Information Regulations.
Scotland has a separate (but similar) FOI regime - see Scottish Information Commissioner. Also see Scottish Executive's FOI pages.
The government's lead on the issue was Department for Constitutional Affairs - now Department of Justice. They have a Freedom of Information web site.
Campaign for Freedom of Information will be keeping an eye on implementation and publishing advice. Published January 05 is A Short Guide to the Freedom of Information Act and Other New Access Rights in pdf format, 526kb - currently our recommended starting point.
freedomofinformation.co.uk is providing consultancy and research services and has some useful resources on their site. Also try Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals' guide to FOI resources on the web.
NCVO has an online Guide to the Freedom of Information Act written specifically for voluntary organisations.

Note: organisations providing public services will also have obligations under FoI.

Lobbying and PR issues

Alliance for Lobbying Transparency is comprised of civil society groups concerned about the growing influence of professional lobbying on Government decision-making and life in the UK.

Spinwatch monitors the role of public relations and spin in contemporary society.

Also see Government/democracy/media in our Areas of Concern section.

General

Tagish As a major local government web/IS supplier, this company has compiled an authoritative links section: national, local, health, information society etc. Try there if we haven't got the link you want below.

info4local is a widely publicised site from Whitehall, aimed at those working in local government.

DirectGov is the starting point for government info. Public consultations section.

Dod's have a range of guides to parliamentary process and contacts, including what is now Vacher's Quarterly, (£55 for a year's sub, 2004). They've also got online directories for UK, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, European Union etc.

Writetothem is an independent facility to help make contact with Councillors, MP, MEPs, MSPs, or Welsh and London Assembly Members.

Councillor.gov.uk also provides information on local councillors, run by e Local e-Democracy National Project and the Local Government Asociation. England only?

Also see Campaign Resources page under Useful Publications, Campaign Help, etc.

National Government issues

Parliamentary

Members of Parliament: Politics.co.uk has a directory of MPs. There is a constituency locator at UpMyStreet - type in a postcode or other identifying info, and see Camapigning Resources re WriteToThem etc.

Hansard Society promotes effective parliamentary democracy; runs a Lobbying training series with Directory of Social Change on occasional basis. St. Philips Building, Sheffield St, WC2 2EX, phone 020 7955 7459, email: hansard@hansard.lse.ac.uk.

House of Commons Information Office has list of all MPs. and email addresses where available.
House of Commons includes links to publications on the internet, details of the committee systems, Early Day Motions etc.
House of Lords Direct links to upcoming business and Register of Interests.
UK Parliament home page.

Government/Whitehall

Department of Communities and Local Government takes over most of the functions of Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, May 06, plus civic renewal, equalities and communities issues from the Home Office (and women's equality from DTI).
Department for Tranport.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, (took on science from the old DTI).
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Department of Health Various statistics are available, some by downloading spreadsheets.
Home Office Some of the main subjects covered: Crime/Drugs Prevention; Immigration and Passports; Police. Specific web pages:
- Immigration and Nationality Directorate which is becoming the Border and Immigration Agency (in 'shadow status' from April 07)
Ministry of Justice (took over from Department for Constitutional Affairs) Includes Prisons and Youth Justice. Management of courts, appointment of judges, admin of legal aid, data protection, freedom of information and electoral law.
Department for International Development Includes a 'Working with Civil Society Organisations' section.
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform took over from DTI, June 07.
HM Treasury Has an Office of Charities and Third Sector, from spring 06, dealing with all financial matters.
Cabinet Office From May 06, includes social exclusion issues and responsibility for the third/voluntary sector. The Ceremonial Secretariat deals with the honours system, including nominations.
Cabinet Office also has info on 'ministerial responsibilities' including departmental web sites.
Go to the Number 10/Prime Ministers website for a round up of current government hot topics.

Published legislation should be available from HMSO, now part of Office of Public Sector Information. The London Gazette for official notices.

The Stationery Office Online Bookshop All the official publications in one place.

National Statistics Includes details of National Statistics Information and Library Service public libraries in Pimlico (London) and Newport (South Wales) under Services.

Scottish, Welsh, NI

SCVO is active in keeping tabs on the Scottish political process - see their Essential Holyrood section for parliamentary coverage from a voluntary sector perspective.
Scottish Civic Forum has closed at summer 08, but you could contact SCVO to check what is happening.
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) The body which represents local government in Scotland. Information about the organisation itself, member councils, areas of current work, publications etc.
Scottish Parliament Well set up - has email contacts for different parts, biographies and register of interest of MSPs. Also has an e-Petitioner section, where you can add your name to an existing petition or find out how to raise a new one.
Scottish Parliament Live Webcam and sound when it is sitting.
Scottish Executive.
WCVA has a Voluntary Sector Assembly Centre (email: jtownley@wcva.org.uk) which can provide various resources for voluntary organisation dealings with the Welsh Assembly. See under National Assembly on the website.
National Assembly for Wales^* Takes a while to get full front page index loaded, but current assembly business and members info (biographies and pretty pics) are all there.
Northern Ireland Assembly.
Northern Ireland Government main web server.
Policylink is designed to promote good practice in policy-making in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
NICVA's Assembly Monitor web pages.

Regional

Government Offices in the Regions

See Government Offices Network site for list if problems with ours:

North East (GONE),
North West (GONW),
Yorkshire and Humberside (GOYH),
East Midlands (GOEM),
West Midlands (GOWM),
Eastern Region (GOER),
South East (GOSE),
South West (GOSW),
Government Office for London,
A Regional Co-ordination Unit has also been established.

Regional Assemblies/Chambers

They are the democratic/political relation to the regional development agencies, but are in a state of flux following changes to the government's commitmnt to a regioanl agenda.

Voluntary sector forums and links to the assemblies - see Local Contacts - Regional.
North East Regional Assembly.
North West Regional Assembly
Yorkshire and Humberside Assembly.
East Midlands Regional Assembly.
West Midlands Regional Assembly.
South East Regional Assembly Can access various public records (e.g. agendas and papers) here.
South West Regional Assembly# Low contrast lettering doesnt help on this site!
Greater London Assembly Assembly meetings dates, agendas, Ken's speeches etc.

Regional Development Agencies

Local Government

Local Government Association site is pretty good. If you are looking for a list of local authority web sites, go to Search, then Links.

London Councils develops policy, lobbies government and others, and runs a range of services "designed to make life better for Londoners".

New Local Government Network A membership organisation which supports reform and modernisation in local government. The site contains information about the Network as well as news, key issues, events and debates.