Get ready for the 2015 general election

1. #readyfor2015 Get ready for the 2015 general election achieving impact and influence

2. Who are we? Sara Petela Public Affairs Officer The College of Occupational Therapists sara.petela@cot.co.uk Emily Wallace Director Connect Communications e.wallace@connectpa.co.uk

3. This session • Politics and what it means for COT • The political timetable and road to 2015 • Polls and pundits – what are they saying • Big picture political positioning • Health in the manifesto’s • COT - looking ahead • Working better together

4. How political are you?

5. Why is politics important for COT • change policy and priorities • raise profile of people/issues/organisation • manage and motivate members • manage and build your reputation and recognition of your organisation • extend your networks • generate positive relationships – with stakeholders, partners, media

6. Forthcoming elections

7. The next year in politics • New Government • Official campaign and manifesto launches • 7 May • General Election

8. Polls and pundits

14. Scottish referendum The polls are narrowing May 2014

15. Big picture positioning?

16. Conservative key messages we need to keep going for the long term security of the country we’re on the right track we would be even better with a majority Conservative Government Labour hasn’t changed and they can’t be trusted on the economy

17. Labour key messages a recovery for all, tackling the cost of living crisis the Tory Government is out of touch we must devolve money and power to local communities One Nation

18. Liberal Democrat key messages we have softened the hard edges of the Conservatives the country needs us in government as an anchor to the centre ground Labour still can’t be trusted to govern alone

19. Health and social care big messages Privatisation: you cant trust Cameron with the NHS Integration integrationintegration Quality and safety: You can’t trust Labour with the NHS No new money The NHS can’t afford another Labour Government The NHS is safe under Labour

20. The Conservatives’ Health Manifesto

21. The Conservatives’ Health Manifesto Unpopularity of health reforms identified as one of top ten election “risks” for Conservatives Likely health policy campaign themes • No more structural change • End of soviet tractor type targets • Integration and improved social care, possibly including social housing • More private providers – but managed market • Positive about personalisation agenda • The “Patients’ Party”?

22. Labour’s Health Manifesto

23. Labour’s Health Manifesto NHS identified as one of the top election assets for Labour Likely health policy manifesto themes: • Whole person care • An integrated health and social care service fit for 21st century • Social care free for all at point of use and staff into the NHS? • Repeal (parts of) Health and Social Care Act • Focus on limiting marketisation/privatisation with a move back to preferred provider model • Devolve all funding to local authorities (with no ring fence and CCGs to become advisory)?

24. Liberal Democrats’ Health Manifesto

25. Liberal Democrats’ Health Manifesto Health policy campaign themes • Better and more integrated care • Dignity at home – transforming social care • Dilnotcap on social care costs • More focus on mental health • More mutual providers • More democracy – strengthening HWBs

26. What are we doing Strategic aim: Be the voice of the profession Recent successes include: • Professional Advisor for Children & Young People appointed as an Expert Advisor to Lord Freud • CEO about to complete 3 year term as a Social Care Fellow for NICE • Sit on numerous committees and advisory boards; e.g. DFE advisory panel on developing the SEN Code of Practice • Influenced the Care Act 2014 • Respond to hundreds of consultations across all four countries

27. Looking ahead What’s on our radar? Current and upcoming areas of focus include: • Integration • Prevention and early-intervention • Reablement • Vocational rehabilitation • Children with SEND • Age-friendly communities • Public Health

28. Working better together • How can you help? • Tell us what you’re doing • Share feedback on our activities • Send us case studies and evidence - from you and your service users • Be politically active in your local area – write to your MP, host site visits, attend MP surgeries and ask questions, etc

29. Any questions

30. what’s the difference? PR PA • management of internal and external comms to create and maintain a positive image • primarily engaging with a public audience • often through the media, but also involves launches, events, social media • promotion of an organisation or cause amongst political or policy audiences • primarily engaging with politicians, officials and other stakeholders • through legislation, regulation, and policy formation

31. know what’s going on • political monitoring • media/social media • political parties and manifestos • conferences and events • trade bodies and partners • networking

32. who influences? Other trade unions The Opposition Ministers & former Ministers Political parties Business and industry Campaign groups Decision maker Formal/informal advisors Think tanks Blogs Civil Servants Public opinion Peers Media Social media MPs Select Cttees

33. current relationships? • advisers • Ministers/Government • MPs • officials • media • supporters/allies • industry/sector who are your key advocates?

34. the who • where are your strongest relationships? • who are your most influential advocates? • are you effectively communicating to decision makers? • are your supporters and advocates speaking on your behalf?

35. the what • what are your key messages? • what arguments have the most impact? • are there different messages for different audiences?

36. the how, when and what! • one-to-one meetings • events • Parliamentary event • stunts/lobbies • research/briefing • media and social media • case studies/advocates • coalitions and partners • using members • Parliamentary activity • opinion polling • party conferences

37. segment your stakeholders

38. rank your stakeholders

39. what could you rank? • importance • now • in the future • on policy • for income • accessibility • statutory role • degree of support • geographical location • influence • potential to grow relationship • strength of relationship

40. top tips • know what you are trying to achieve • find out who is making the decision and who is influencing them • keep up to date with changing circumstances • understand the difference between policy and politics