Fishburn Hedges

05.03.2010

Rory Scanlan, director of Fishburn Hedges, gave his thoughts on the 2010 general election recently in a 'soap box' article published in PR Week.

It’s easy to forget how brutal British politics can be. Nowhere is this seen more vividly than when a defeated PM is turfed out of No10 within hours of the polls closing.

In many countries a change of administration is a more orderly process. US Presidents have months between election day and inauguration to prepare for their first important decisions away from the frenzy of the campaign. Even in many parliamentary democracies the transition is measured in days not hours. 
Much comment has concerned the direction of travel for Cameron's Conservatives and, more recently, the ramifications of a hung Parliament.  But we have heard little on the practicalities of a transfer of power. Hence, Peter Riddell’s landmark Institute for Government work is required reading.

What does the abrupt switch-over mean for influencing strategies?  Bluntly, if the Conservatives can form a government, it will be full steam ahead, with inexperienced pilots.

Effective influencing needs both to interpret and respond to early moves, and to inform longer-term plans.
For example, with spending commitments for the year already underway, the detailed departmental Spending Review for the years after 2011 that the Conservatives plan to publish in the Autumn will be as significant as an ‘emergency’ budget.

It will be important not to ‘over-read’ the first months of an incoming administration or base an entire organisational strategy around these. 

Manage the immediate but play the long game.