Campaign Doctor

 

 

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Also in this section:

• Audience participation

John Shosky

• Campaign Stunts

Shane Greer

• Pleading ignorance

Donal Blaney

• Big gains from small talk

Mary Spillane

• Handling expenses on the trail

Mark Palmer and Scott Solder

• Technology Reviews: Show and tell

Catherine Shannon

• Blogs

• Where two tribes go to war

Robert Waller

 

Past skeletons

When I was a student, I wrote some frankly stupid articles for some campus newsletters. Nothing too serious, but certainly things that don't place me in the most positive light. How do you suggest dealing with this?

 

This depends on the time between then and now. If we are talking about a while ago then frankly they are not going to do you much damage. You may have to explain the circumstances for a day or so but student politics is full of 'vibrant debate' and most politicians have said or written things that are embarrassing. The key that will help you combat any revelations is that you clearly are a different person with adult experiences and views. Do not put them out there yourself as this will make you look as though you are proud of them or they are relevant to the campaign you are running now. If these articles are recent then you have an issue. Re-read and put the articles in the context of why you wrote them and then keep that ready to go when and if the articles appear.

 

 

Outside interests
If I am successful at the general election and become an MP I very much want to maintain a role in the family business. But how do I explain this to voters without falling foul of the whole second job outrage?

 

The sad thing is that this dilemma will be a hard sell to your potential constituents so I would have to say that your job now is to run the best campaign you can and win at the general election. You owe your party and local activists that much. If you are successful, my advice would be to take a sabbatical for 12 months from the family firm and be a full time MP, learn the ropes and work hard for your constituents. Then in 12 months you can take a judgement on if you could undertake some role in the family firm. There is nothing to stop you having a consultancy role but you should declare it. The reality is that the nonsense of the new rules means that 'real people' will find Parliament frustrating but until the mea culpa attitude of the party leaderships and the public anger dissipates (which it will), MPs will have to 'suck it up' and suffer. Parliament will be a poorer place but it is the price that must be paid.

 

 

Putting on sports kit
In US elections, health and fitness is seen as a very important attribute for politicians. Tony Blair seemed to employ such tactics to great effect. Do you think there's any mileage in that here?

 

This kind of photo op is worth its weight in gold if your opponent is older and less healthy than you. However, do try not to make yourself look ridiculous or attempt physical exercise that is beyond you (remember President Carter collapsing while jogging). Try to link any photo of you with a campaign to increase activity among children or other groups which will make appearing in sweat band and horrible tracksuit relevant and not just a throw back to the '70s.

 

 

 

Showbusiness for ugly people
There are plenty of ugly politicians, but it seems that a candidate's looks are becoming ever more important. How important do you think beauty is in politics?

 

The reality is that all humans are judged in the first instance on looks - politicians are no different, especially in this media and self-obsessed phase we are going through in society at the moment. If you have fallen down the ugly tree and hit every branch, fear not because 'beautiful' people are not trusted as much as someone who is more ordinary. So although beauty will get you noticed - that is what you will be known for and of course beautiful people are seen as shallow and brainless (perhaps unfair but that's life). Politicians are still judged by what they stand for, say and of course what they do.

 

 

Booking time off
I desperately want to stand for Parliament, but I'm not too sure my employer will be as enthusiastic about the prospect. The big issue is the amount of time I may have to take off work. How would you address time commitment issues with a boss?

 

What you can do depends on your relationship with your employer. If the type of seat will be a long shot and therefore will only require 10 days (which you will take as holiday) full time during the campaign and in the run up, you will need the equivalent of a day a week (so for a while you will work a four-day week). Also you will need an hour or two during the day for emails and calls etc. You will need to accept your salary may well be impacted. Before chatting things through - if your work is unionised you may well find that a union agreement allows workers a certain amount of (paid) time off to fight campaigns - find out if there have been any precedents. Also will it improve the profile of the business, if so then perhaps they may not cut your salary? This is a hard choice and I think it is best to be honest about what time you will need. If your employer is not keen then perhaps for your parliamentary ambitions you may need to change your employer!