5 Top Tips for New Local Candidates

You've been inspired to run for local government.  You may have a genuine passion to effect a change.   Less compellingly, you may have been been lured by the prospect of a cruisy life with a regular pay cheque?

The current Mayor, Karen Williams was inspired to run for office after issues with funding for the then Strawberry Festival for which she has worked tirelessly for decades (she was it's first poster child at the tender age of 7).

Former Logan Mayor, Pam Parker grew up in poverty and was inspired to run, she says, by the desire to help people.

Former Brisbane Lord Mayor, Sallyanne Atkinson, famously was a stay-at-home Mum of five kids, who was inspired to run for Council after a vexatious issue with a burst water main.

Ron Harding is taking on Graham Quirk for Lord Mayor of Brisbane because, while he loves Brisbane, he thinks it can be better.

Regardless of your motivations, as a new Candidate you will be driven by a mission or a vision of your own.

But local government - as the coal face of constituent interaction - requires a certain fortitude.  As recent events suggest, it can get ugly, and no uglier than here in Redlands where slander, defamation and libel pass for 'debate' and where little credit is given to one's opponents.

To help new candidates in the days ahead, here's our top tips to help you survive and succeed.

Number 5:  Be Open to Criticism

Deafening your ears to your critics or combatants is a common ploy.  We understand.  It's tough listening to criticism, especially when it can become somewhat nasty.

Pretend it's not happening and she'll be apples you think?

But it's a wise man who 'keeps his enemies close'.  If you're not hearing what your opponents are saying, then you're lulling yourself into a false sense of security.

Listen with an open mind, muting - if you can - the small minority who can't seem to debate with any niceness or humanity.  You can't afford to be overly-sensitive.

Remember, democracies rely on the belief that we all hold varying and opposing opinions.  As long as the opinion is not abusive, or personal then let everyone you want to represent to have their say.

It's also helpful to be clear about the laws of defamation that may apply in your State.  If it's defamatory - then it's abuse.

Number 4: Respect your Opposition

Belittling the opposition is common practice and perhaps, human nature.  However, respect for your opposition is important.

Avoid ridicule and mockery, ungraciousness and nastiness, keeping in mind these people have friends and family and, often, extremely wide networks.

Instead choose to:

• Engage in debate using clearly articulated ideas, substantiated by sources if possible
• Reasonably critiquing statements or claims that may be arguable, false, malicious or even megalomaniacal
• Participating openly in public debates without the need for fakery or aliases.

Number 3:  Engage Face to Face

Experts argue that face-to-face engagement is more powerful than other forms of engagement.  People know you're dealing with a real person and any questions can be asked and answered without the need for abuse.

In these days of social media, in fact, face-to-face engagement has even more value.  People respond to the personal touch; they really do.

Instead of priming their keyboards, then, new candidates should lace up their boots and pound the pavement.   Find ways to meet people.  Participate in live forums.  People are always better face to face.

Remember online and other means of communication have a tendency to allow way too many of us to engage in the worst of behaviours.

Face to face is safe!

Number 2:  Be Real

If you hadn't noticed, voters in Australia are increasingly cynical.  They genuinely want to believe the worst.

Few have sought explanations for this unlikable phenomenon but it's a reality.

That's why it's important to keep it real.  Nobody likes fakes - fake people, fake promises, fake claims.

Provide your constituents with facts, not fiction.  If you can't substantiate a statement, don't say it, don't peddle it, don't promote it.

Just because you have 50 people just like you, peddling the same 'fact' doesn't make it true or right.  And, frankly, it will get you into hot water.

Stay real.  It's the best policy.

Number 1:  Stay Positive

Positive campaigns, unfortunately don't grow on trees but they can be done.  One example for instance is the 2012 gubernatorial election in North Carolina between  Republican Pat McCrory  and Democrat Walter Dalton.  North Carolina hadn't had a republican governor for 20 years.

Four years prior, McCrory had lost to governor Beverly Perdue by this side of four percent.  He thought his race was over but instead, decided to run again and this time, he promised an only-positive campaign.

Abrama et al, writing on imcclass.com, explain that McCrory carried out his promise throughout his speeches and fundraising.  Throughout his campaign, he didn't run one negative TV or radio ad.  In every ad he focused on his policies, issues and plans for the future of the State.

It's the tenth largest in the US and McCrory apparently did a fine job.  He won!

Other than that, be guided by the philosophy that 'it is human to err'.  None of us are perfect and if someone has got it wrong, a discussion over tea and cake is going to be much more helpful in the long-run.

Have fun!