With select committees having finalised their work programmes, and consultations coming thick and fast, it’s time to think about how you want your business to be perceived by Parliament.
Written submissions to select committee consultations offer a good opportunity to get your key points and messages across to MPs – but oral submissions are where you can really make an impression, both good and bad.
One such poor impression came from executives from SHEIN, who appeared in front of the Business and Trade Committee earlier this year. The submitter was frequently unable to provide clear answers to direct questions and when pressed on specific measures taken to prevent labour abuses, their vague responses led to frustration among MPs.
Their appearance was widely covered, with many media outlets highlighting their inability to effectively address serious concerns, ultimately intensifying public scrutiny over the ethical standards of fast fashion retailers operating in the UK.
Appearing in front of a select committee is an important relationship building exercise. It’s an opportunity to raise your profile, and that of your organisation, amongst key MPs but also civil servants and interested media.
A good submission might mean no media attention at all. Offshore Energies is one such example, appearing as a credible and expert submitter without generating the headlines.
When appearing in front of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee they demonstrated a strong command of the sector’s needs, with answers grounded in data and industry experience. In avoiding jargon, the submitter presented strategically complex points clearly and struck a solution-oriented note throughout. It was a very effective submission and Offshore Energies was clearly prepared.
It's misguided to think once you’ve written your submission, speaking to it will be a walk in the park. MPs don’t want you to regurgitate it. Instead, they want to better understand your perspective, the issues at hand, and the evidence you’ve provided. You are trying to help committee members understand the subject more deeply. It’s a chance for a two-way exchange of information.
To do this effectively and impactfully, you must prepare.
There are similarities in preparing to appear in front of MPs and preparing for an interview, for example, you need to have your key messages. Ultimately what do you want the Committee to come away from your submission thinking about? This could be a policy change or unintended consequences, it could also be as simple as seeing you and your company as an expert they can go back to for future engagement – much like that of Offshore Energies.
Often you will be submitting amongst other organisations who are fighting for the same airtime. It’s important you’re equipped with a unique perspective – no committee wants to hear from a group of people in agreement, but you don’t want to be drawn into an argument with your fellow submitters. Find your niche and stick to it.
While politicians are genuinely interested in what you have to say and to ensure government policies will deliver for the public, they also have their own political context and ideology. Do they want you to provide evidence of how a government policy was or wasn’t effective? Keep that in mind when developing your key messages.
Finally, make sure you’re practicing questions – what has been said in the media by those politicians on the Committee? What are their party policy stand points? What point will they be trying to prove? What might be the challenges you’ll face when questioned on your evidence and data?
Submitting to a select committee is a strategic skill – involving careful preparation, clear messages and adaptability.
Get it right, and you can profile your organisation, be seen as an expert by both MPs and media and influence the legislative agenda. Get it wrong, and you can be ridiculed in national media, hampering any chances of further engagement.
by Julia Stewart, Senior Consultant
At Atticus Partners we regularly train our clients to appear in front of select committees, on how to engage effectively with stakeholders and for those important media interviews. We have a programme that challenges and builds confidence, ensuring you make the most of any opportunity. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more.