How to work with political elites….. …and not want to kick something

Karen RossCommunication

& MediaMarch 2012

Research must be more than *just* academic

O provenanceO body of workO academy, community,

politics, action, ethics

(circa 1993)

…the first time ever I saw your face…..

1994 Labour leadership / European elections

Mr Blair is a man of rare ability. Rarer still in modern politics, he has an unblemished reputation for honesty and integrity that commands the respect even of his most committed opponents… he is happily married to fellow-barrister Cherie Booth…and they have three children…Blair is a devoted and active father…committed to family values. (Daily Mail, 13.5.94)

 Deputy leader Margaret Beckett, 51, has the task of leading Labour through the European elections [although] most Labour MPs admit she has been a disaster…and has even been ridiculed for her lack of fashion sense…Smith didn’t look like the man to lead Britain…particularly with that gargoyle Margaret Beckett in tow. (Sun, 13.5.94)

body of work……

O 1994 – first newspaper analysisO 1995 (2000, 2005, 2009) - GMMPO 1996 – began series of interviews with women parliamentarians

O Westminster (1996, 2001, 2006)O Australia (1998)O South Africa (1999)O Northern Ireland (2002, 2003, 2006)

O 1997 (2001, 2005, 2010) – news analysis - Westminster elections: women and news

O 2000-2005 – interviews with women journalistsO 2003 – news analysis + documentary - NI Assembly electionsO 2004 – news analysis - European ElectionsO 2007, 2009 – interviews with women and men parliamentarians,

New ZealandO 2011 – politicians use of Facebook – New Zealand

a few things I’ve learnt about working with political elites

O it’s not what you do so much as how you do it and how you think about how you do it

O the primary instrument is standard (ie interview)

O but your approach to shaping a study which includes politicians (or political journalists for that matter) has to take account of the particularities of a political life

some of the things you need to BE…in no particular order

O TenaciousO keep at it, reminders, follow-ups, oftenO what’s in it for them? offer of help

O FlexibleO agree to (more or less) anything, anytime, any

distance, any place

Chris TremainChief Whip, National Party

O Facebook

The things you need to BE(in no particular order)

O TenaciousO keep at it, reminders, follow-ups, oftenO what’s in it for them? Offer of help

O FlexibleO agree to (more or less) anything, anytime, any

distance, any placeO grasp opportunities, wherever they areO creative in the face of disaster

O ThoroughO Check facts, regularly, stuff changes

The things you need to BE(in no particular order)…./2

O AudaciousO They can always say noO Confident (security)

O Poker faceO They will always surprise you (May,

Woolerton)

Theresa May, feminist?

Woolerton’s wise words….Doug Woolerton, former President of New Zealand First, Stood down at the 2008 elections, now provides lobbying services as a ‘political consultant’

The things you need to BE(in no particular order)…./2

O AudaciousO they can always say noO confident (security)

O Poker faceO they will always surprise you (Woolerton, May)

O HumbleO know your place/expect to be

interrupted/Twitter/phone calls/meetingsO bring work with you

O Discreet O Ethical – see later

…some things you need to DO

O plan in advance, a lot in advanceO get written (email) agreement and follow-

up: diaries change but most politicians will honour an agreement

O homework – ABSOLUTELY MUST DOO Debates in the House (public

gallery)/observation, behaviour, who said what, quote back, show you care/are interested/know things about them

O Hansard

more things you need to DOO check equipment/compatibilityO dress codeO recognise (and use?) personal attributesO get admin/Library staff on sideO get security clearance/Speaker’s Office

O keep all security docs/passes with you, alwaysO have name and number of the next interviewee and

PA to handO check distances between interview sites…build in

slippage/getting lost/eating

the ethical researcherO Being ethical is always our goal but when

working with public figures, even more importantO written/verbal consentO provide recording of interview (if you can)O provide draft of any written work which

includes an attribution (anon if not)O send copy of final written work

the thin blue(/red) ethical line….

Orepresenting all views without bias/value judgements

Oachieving rapport Opersonal disclosureOhow much involvement is *acceptable* ?

the thin blue(/red) ethical line….

O representing all views without bias/value judgements

O achieving rapport O personal disclosureO how much involvement is *acceptable* ?O black ops

Back Benches

research serendipityO who you meet (Tim, Grant, Phil)O right place, right time (Steve, Auckland,

Labour Rally, Clare)

the wonderfulness of it all!O you in/and your researchO the personal is political is personalO making a difference? – the IMPACT factor

O New Zealand Labour Party

fun!