Making the ConnectionWhy Engage Politicians?

Contents 3 Why engage politicians?

4 Why we engage MPs: Steve Cook, Havebury Housing Partnership

6 MPs explained

8 A different political landscape

10 What do MPs think of us?

12 Opportunities for engagement

14 Organising a visit

16 Engage early, engage often!

18 MPs as ‘super customers’

20 Glossary of terms

22 Top tips

2 Making the Connection

Front Cover: Sir George Young MP enjoys an unusual photo opportunity with Testway Housing

Why engage politicians?Your local MP is an important figure in the community, representing the interests of your tenants in Parliament. They also legislate on issues that affect the future of your organisation.

For these reasons it is vital that MPs are aware of the work your association does for local people. They need to see for themselves the great schemes you run to support tenants and the high standard of the affordable housing you provide them.

We know from previous excellent work done by housing associations that we have a stronger national voice when we have strong local links with MPs. Remember, your tenants are their voters and you and your local MP have a shared natural desire to achieve the best you can for the community. By making these connections with your local MP, you can be an effective link between local people and their representative.

At the same time, you can increase parliamentary understanding of housing associations’ work at a vital time for the future of our sector. By helping MPs to make the connection between the best practice they see on the ground and the housing legislation and budgets they discuss and decide on, you can help ensure that affordable housing is championed on the national stage.

3 Why engage politicians?

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Why we engage MPs: Steve Cook, Havebury Housing PartnershipHavebury values its strong relationship with local MPs. It’s good for Havebury, and it’s good for the sector. In short, it’s a no brainer.

MPs will only champion a strong, independent housing association sector if their experience locally is a constructive one.

MPs fulfil a number of roles – local representative, problem-solver and advocate, as well as national policy-maker and political player. Having many competing interests, they will rarely be an unquestioning champion. But they can be a critical friend.

We try to ensure that local MP, David Ruffley, understands what we do and why. But it’s not a relationship that has blossomed overnight. We work hard at it.

At the same time as nurturing our relationship with David, we are also building links with our other, new MP, Matthew Hancock. We had invited him to open a new housing scheme within a month of his taking office.

Making the Connection

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With the largest intake of new MPs for many years, our sector has a rare opportunity to make an impact at the beginning of a new political era. All housing associations should take up this challenge, and it needs to happen alongside the work David Orr and his team undertake at a national level.

But let’s remember it’s not just about opening new schemes. By inviting our MPs to experience first-hand the services we deliver for local people, and discussing honestly problems that arise, we get a fair hearing and know that their experiences with Havebury will inform their view on national issues.

Steve Cook

Why we engage MPs

MPs explainedMPs are primarily in parliament to represent the interests of their constituents. They divide their time between Westminster and their constituencies, where they hold surgeries, attend events and make visits so they can hear from as many of their constituents as possible.

Throughout the parliamentary year, MPs deal with a wide range of legislation, and cannot be expert in every subject covered. That’s why it is essential to ensure they see for themselves the good work being done, so they can form a well-rounded view of the importance of housing associations to local communities. It is also important to encourage them to come to you when they have a question. If they aren’t asking you, you can’t influence the impression they are getting!

If your MP is a back bencher (ie doesn’t hold government or frontbench responsibilities) then their principal role is scrutinising and examining the need for new legislation or policy.

If MPs aren’t asking you, you can’t influence the impression they are getting!

6 Making the Connection

MPs do this by asking questions of ministers, debating on bill committees, tabling amendments to bills, and debating and voting on bills.

MPs examine the need and desire for new legislation by tabling Early Day Motions, sitting on select committees and raising issues in debates. They may also table Private Member’s Bills.

All the terms above are explained in more detail in the glossary on page 20!

7MPs explained

Adam Afriyie MP, Windsor

8 Making the Connection

A different political landscapePolitics is changing. At the 2010 election, no party achieved an overall majority, which led to a hung parliament and a coalition government.

Coalition governments are formed when one or more parties agree to work together to form a majority government (when the ruling party or coalition have at least 50% + 1 of all parliamentary seats). The alternative under a hung parliament would be for the largest party to form a minority government, and try to pass legislation on a case by case basis.

The other big change heralded by the 2010 election was a new generation of politicians, over 200 new MPs in England alone. They will be keen to move on from the issues that have dogged the last Parliament, such as the expenses crisis. This is a great opportunity for those associations represented by a new MP to start a fresh relationship. But those with existing MPs will also have an opportunity to re-engage, as Parliament and its priorities have changed with the new administration.

This is a great opportunity for those associations represented by new MPs to start a fresh relationship.

9A different political landscape

What do MPs think of us?In late 2009, the Federation surveyed MPs, asking them to choose attributes that they would associate with housing associations. They were also asked to rate their satisfaction with housing associations’ responses to their queries on behalf of constituents and were given the opportunity to comment freely on the overall performance of housing associations.

It is clear that the sector still has a long way to go in improving its image among MPs, as they are reluctant to use positive attributes when describing the work of housing associations. The majority of MPs accept that housing associations have a ‘social purpose’, are ‘not-for-profit’, ‘affordable’ and ‘improve neighbourhoods’ but conversely they are less likely to describe them as being ‘accountable’, ‘value for money’ or having a ‘customer focus’.

MPs who were elected in 2005 were more likely to be negative about housing associations than colleagues who were elected earlier. We need to ensure that perceptions are improved among the 2010 newcomers.

10 Making the Connection

The work that some housing associations have been doing shows that positive perceptions can be created. Where there has been a strong, organised and persistent programme of engagement, local MPs have had a greatly improved view of the sector. This election has provided us all with an opportunity to renew our engagement programmes to ensure that these successes are replicated across England.

Regeneration of Grosvenor by Knightstone Housing Association

11What do MPs think of us?

Opportunities for engagementWe believe it is better to invite an MP to visit you and your tenants than for you to meet them in Westminster. They will be keen to meet as many residents as possible and to find out what you are contributing to the constituency, and you can demonstrate what you do far more effectively at one of your projects than in an office. Taking MPs out and about will give them a flavour of the kind of work that you do.

Remember that we are about more than bricks and mortar. Politicians are interested in people. So if you are holding an open day or a tenant participation event, make sure you invite your local MP to attend. If you provide local services, such as healthy eating clubs or an environmental scheme, make sure that you invite your MP to see them in action.

This is also a great opportunity to involve the local press – resulting in positive publicity for your work. MPs appreciate positive coverage in the local and regional press and will want to be seen engaging with voters in the constituency. Let them know that you have invited the press, and give them a chance to meet constituents face to face and talk to a wider audience through the local media.

12 Making the Connection

Origin Housing youth football team helps elderly residents with their gardening — an ideal visiting opportunity

13Opportunities for engagement

Organising a visitTiming: MPs are generally in Westminster for the first part of the week, so are far more likely to be able to visit on a Friday or even a weekend.

Notice: MPs are extremely busy so give them plenty of notice. Write to their offices at least a month in advance, and remember to follow this up with a phone call.

Options: If you are inviting an MP to a regularly occurring event, give them plenty of dates to choose from.

Preparation: Make sure you have a good itinerary for the visit, and that your staff and tenants are well prepared. Know what the main things you want to show the MP are, and plan your route! Have answers ready for questions you can expect them to ask.

Involve residents: Anything you can tell your local MP will be even more positive coming from a tenant, so plan an itinerary that involves local people.

Press: Make sure you inform and invite the local press to attend. This will ensure good publicity for your projects, and generate positive headlines for the MP, who will be appreciative.

Keep in contact: Make sure you have the MP or their assistant’s mobile number, and that they have yours. It is quite likely they will run late.

14 Making the Connection

Be adaptable: They may have less time with you than you both hoped. Show them what you can and capture their interest for future engagement.

Literature: Try to have something they can take away with them, but keep it simple. They won’t have time to read a long annual report.

Follow Up: Don’t forget to write and thank them for coming – extending the possibility of further interaction in the future.

Children enjoying Longhurst and Havelock Homes Neighbours’ Day

15Organising a visit

Riverside helps local children make over their allotment

16 Making the Connection

Engage early, engage often!Politicians, particularly new MPs, are open to as many sources of knowledge as possible. If you can establish yourself as a useful source of information and a great place to meet their communities, they will be happy to build a long and fruitful relationship with you.

However, MPs are also extremely busy people and get far more invitations than they could ever accept. So if at first you don’t succeed – try, try again! Don’t assume a rejection of an invitation is a permanent rejection, it is much more likely to be a ‘not-now’ than a ‘not-at-all’.

Write to your MPs regularly, but make your communication with them short and pithy. Feel free to send them your newsletter, but if you have a particular issue you want to make them aware of you will need to raise this in a separate, concise letter.

Don’t assume a visit is the first and last time you will engage with the MP. On the other hand, don’t expect to see them every week. Keep in touch and keep inviting them back at regular intervals when there is something new or particularly relevant to show them.

17Engage early, engage often!

MPs as ‘super customers’Most of an MP’s contact with you will be on behalf of constituents. They are more like an agency for local concerns than a single customer. As such, you should have a strategy for dealing with their queries effectively and responsively.

Timescale: Set a maximum response time and stick to it. We recommend two weeks for the first response. If the query is complex, send a holding reply that demonstrates that you are taking their enquiry seriously and telling them when you can offer a fuller response.

Single point of contact: For MPs’ staff, dealing with constituents’ queries effectively is a constant struggle. Nominate a single person to co-ordinate correspondence and be their main contact, even if the task of drafting responses is delegated to others. MPs and their staff will appreciate knowing that they need to make just one phone call (to a direct number, not a switchboard) to track the progress of a query. That person will be able to build a relationship with your MP’s staff, keeping them up to date on emerging issues and putting a human face on your organisation.

18 Making the Connection

Responsibility at the highest level: Correspondence should be signed by the most senior executive who is familiar with the constituency. This demonstrates that you take their views seriously and ensures that one senior person develops an overview of concerns that are arising.

Review regularly: Review correspondence with your local MP at least once a year. Did you meet your two week response time? What percentage of queries were successfully resolved? Did themes emerge that could be tackled in a way other than case by case? For example, if a large number of concerns were about the management of a particular area, might it be time for more intensive engagement with local people there? If you did something similar last year, has the number of complaints reduced?

Share what you have learned: MPs want job satisfaction, just like anyone else. If, as a result of their interest, you have changed your approach to an issue and the result has been positive, invite them to find out how. If you share a great deal of correspondence, they may be open to discussing how you can work better together. Some MPs hold regular meetings with local organisations to discuss emerging issues. You may want to host something similar, demonstrating your commitment to solving neighbourhood problems.

19MPs as ‘super customers’

Glossary of termsPoliticians have a language all of their own. Below are a few explanations of common terms. More detailed explanations can be found at www.housing.org.uk/politicians

Act of Parliament: This is a bill that has passed through all the stages of parliamentary procedure and has become law.

Adjournment Debate: These debates take place at the end of the parliamentary day. They are often a way for an MP to raise the profile of a local issue or something they campaign on personally. Similar debates take place in Westminster Hall.

All Party Parliamentary Group: Groups of MPs with a shared interest who meet regularly. There is an All Party Parliamentary Group on housing, and the secretariat support to this is provided jointly by the Federation, the Chartered Institute of Housing and Shelter.

Bill: This is a proposed piece of legislation as it passes through both houses of Parliament. A bill becomes an act when it receives Royal Assent from the monarch.

Constituency: This is the area that an MP represents. It will be made up of many wards, and usually falls along natural or obvious boundaries.

Early Day Motions: These are formal motions calling for a debate, though they rarely result in one. They are used to publicise issues or local achievements, and demonstrate parliamentary support for a cause.

20 Making the Connection

Private Member’s Bills: These are bills introduced by MPs who are not part of the Government (though may be a member of the governing party or parties). A lottery decides which MPs will have the chance to bring forward a bill, though only a very few become law. But by raising the profile of an issue, they can influence legislation indirectly.

Public Bill Committee: The group of MPs who perform the majority of scrutiny on any bill. This is referred to as the ‘Committee Stage’. Their job is to consider a bill clause by clause and debate and vote on any amendments needed.

Recess: Periods when the House of Commons is not sitting. This does not mean that MPs are not working, and can be a good time to arrange a constituency event.

Select Committee: These committees are set up for the full term of a Parliament, to look at particular subjects. Commons select committees examine the expenditure, administration and policy of each of the main government departments and associated public bodies. They have the power to take evidence and issue recommendations.

Surgery: These are regular events (usually held at least once a month) where MPs listen to their constituents’ concerns.

21Glossary of terms

Top tips•  Invite MPs to visit you, your tenants and service

users. This helps to put a human face to the positive work housing associations do.

•  Being able to offer local media coverage of an event may increase your chances of getting an MP to attend.

•  Be persistent!

•  Respond quickly and efficiently. Have a protocol for dealing with MPs and stick to it.

•  Do your research. Find out what the MP’s interests are and try to match that to the activities you invite them to see.

•  Be proactive. Don’t expect them to come to you unless you invite them. Don’t expect them to come back unless you invite them again!

•  Don’t forget MPs’ staff. They will be the ones who deal with constituents’ queries – some of which may be from your tenants. Building relationships with them and keeping them informed can be invaluable.

Building relationships with MPs’ staff and keeping them informed can be invaluable.

22 Making the Connection

•  Review your correspondence at least once a year. Are there repeat issues which you need to discuss broader solutions to? Have you solved an ongoing problem and are now able to show them how you do things differently?

•  Keep MPs up to date about any big plans you have for their constituency – finding out about developments at the last minute is not the best way to get them on board if you run into local opposition.

•  Satisfied customers don’t write to their MP to tell them how great you are – find other ways to show them your tenants’ positive feedback.

•  Be brief. MPs are unlikely to read large swathes of information, so make sure you can boil your message down to two sides of A4 at most.

•  If you have community space available, offer it to your local MPs and councillors as a venue for their surgeries.

23Top tips

National Housing FederationLion Court, 25 Procter Street, London WC1V 6NYTel: 020 7067 1010 Email: info@housing.org.ukwww.housing.org.uk www.inbiz.org

Contact details for our regional offices are available at www.housing.org.uk/regions

July 2010

Engaging with MPs is an extremely valuable activity for your housing association and the sector at large. Make sure local politicians know about your contribution to their communities and to the lives and wellbeing of their constituents. Further information can be found at www.housing.org.uk/politicians

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