A few emails later, we have managed to arrange a public meeting with our MP, Keith Hill. Or, I should say, we have arranged a “mass lobby”. Instead of the usual two or three speakers followed by a couple of questions from the audience, everyone who comes along will have a chance to put comments and questions to Mr. Hill. We hope this format will entice a bigger crowd by offering a slightly more informal atmosphere and one in which people can usefully come along for half-an-hour if they can’t stay for the whole event. We hope the offer a glass of wine won’t hurt either. Now all we need is a venue. (Details to follow.)
But why have a public meeting or “mass lobby” at all? In an age of flash mobs and viral videos, it seems a bit old fashioned. And why drag the public out of their homes when you could get them to sign a letter or a petition?
Well, for that very reason. If you can persuade people to make the effort then it’s a clear sign to an MP that there’s real concern among his constituents. Videos, publicity stunts, petitions, standard letters and so on are a useful means of spreading information and indicating the sentiments of a large number of people but making the effort to attend a rally or a meeting helps show the strength of feeling.
It’s also an opportunity to put some concrete requests , like signing up to EDM 2052, and to raise some difficult issues, like the level of funding the EU is willing to provide to help developing countries adapt to climate change.
And it’s a chance to advertise. There’s The Wave to promote, and there will be a mini-wave through London at the end of November organised by Central London Oxfam. A bit of face-to-face communication can be a lot more effective than a press release sometimes.
Tags: Central London Oxfam, EDM2052, Keith Hill, The Wave
