Public affairs and communications management

"With the lengthy summer recess stretching before us at the beginning of July, many working in politics had hoped for an easier few months, with the cut and thrust easing as Westminster relaxed. However, this year constituency work is thriving, which gives us a big opportunity for grassroots campaigns.

This generation of MPs are painfully aware of their precarious position amongst voters, with confidence eroded following the expenses scandal last year. Now more than ever our elected members are aware of the need to be visibly "representing" their constituencies in the summer months - keen to dispel the myth of recess being equivalent to an extended holiday.

This has made for an very busy August in Public Affairs, with activity shifting its focus from Westminster to the rest of the country.

MPs have been enthusiastic about the work that is going on in their area and many of our clients have been able to engage with them in new ways, showcasing work in the constituency and involving grass roots workers and service users in campaigns that are usually conducted at chief executive level.

The renewed focus on constituency politics contains a valuable lesson for public affairs practitioners. We must remember that formation of national policy is both shaped and implemented through grass roots experience that can capture an MPs interest and help them to see policy issues in a new way."