I have never really understood “lobbying”. Always seems to me that the average voter who has a problem with Family Tax Credit might be better just calling in to the constituency office of any MLA. Why would they go to a “middle man”.
So I dont understand why Stratagem need a small room at SDLP Conference. True, the presentation on Suicide Prevention was a very worthwhile exercise.
The curiosity about Stratagem was an assortment of eager young staff and interns, all armed with ipads and iphones and lap tops and constantly photographing everything like Japanese tourists. It was a bit like GCHQ on tour.
Burt generally I am skeptical of this kinda nonsense. So being there was a kinda weird feeling. But I felt justified in helping myself to three free pens. But I did not use the vouchers for free Stratagem-brewed coffee.
There was a curious event later on. A “Manifesto Mash-Up”. Apparently the idea is that a group of people pitch ideas at “three dragons” (sic). One of these dragons assessing these ideas was Tina McKenzie, late of NI21. I swear I am not making this up.
I did try and make the point that this is the reason that people join a political party. Do we really need a “middle man”?
So….”Manifesto Mash Up” ???? . No idea what it is but I am a firm believer that if it looks like a load of unmitigated bollox, then that is what it is.
Keeping An Eye On the Czar of Russia 
“The curiosity about Stratagem was an assortment of eager young staff and interns, all armed with ipads and iphones and lap tops and constantly photographing everything like Japanese tourists. It was a bit like GCHQ on tour.”
That is a great description of the Stratagem debating room. I went to the EU debate with Margaret Richie and Bill White from Lucid talk. I have to say it was one of the highlights of the conference for me. It had little to do with SDLP, it’s more of getting a wee break away from the main conference with a free coffee and biscuits. And Bill from Lucid Talk is absolutely great in a debate.
Joe,
Bill is very good indeed. Always has good statistics. Glad you saw Stratagem up close. I just cant understand WHY…WHY ….WHY.
“I have never really understood “lobbying”. Always seems to me that the average voter who has a problem with Family Tax Credit might be better just calling in to the constituency office of any MLA. Why would they go to a “middle man”.”
What you just described is lobbying.
I dont think most people would think that.