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PUBLIC AFFAIRS
So What Does MCI Do Politically?
The PA/PR team works on an extensive range of issues, which are designed to safeguard the industry’s interests and very importantly, also seek to place motorcycling as fundamentally important to transport policy generally.
MCI works to politically ‘mainstream’ motorcycle use in order to break down barriers to motorcycle use and challenge stereotypes. The Association has also successfully lobbied Government on more targeted specific motorcycle issues.
The Association uses a number of tools for all this. Broadly speaking they are as follows:
- Membership of Gov. Advisory Group, Working towards National Motorcycle Strategy 2004
- Activity With Local Authorities
- Attending Transport Policy Conferences
- Attending Political Party Conferences
- Producing Bi-monthly Fact Sheet To All MPs
- Responding to Government Consultation Documents
- Secretariat Support for National Motorcycle Council and Parliamentary All Party Group for Motorcycling
- Providing Expert Advice To Government Departments
- Lobbying in London & The Regions
- Providing Policy Advice To Political Parties
- Presenting Expert Opinions To Professional Bodies
- Providing a Key Point of Contact
- Liaising With The Wider Motorcycle Community
- Taking Message To Wider Public Audience
- Arranging Political PR Stunts
- Representing the Industry at European Level (ACEM)
- Promoting of MCI Public Policy In The International Arena
- Member Services
- Providing The Voice Of Motorcycling
- Supporting Industry Initiatives
- Political & Press Information/Bulletins To Members
- Providing Strategic Political Advice for members When Requested
From this activity, some keynote achievements since 2000 have been:-
- Motorcycling in 10 Year Transport & Road Safety Plans
- Formed Ministerial Advisory Group for Motorcycles
- Gained agreement for National Motorcycle Strategy
- Gained TfL London Policy Group
- Got secure parking enshrined in legislation
- Stopped car drivers from losing their moped entitlement
- Created a policy toolkit for local authorities
- Launched Youth Day and Careers Video
- Started Ride To Work Day yearly campaign
- Gained political endorsement of MCI road safety campaigns
- Helped draft political party manifestoes
- Gained exemption from congestion charging
- Ran ‘Bikers Are Voters’ campaign in 2001
- Gained Scottish & Welsh Motorcycle policy groups
- Secured Home Office endorsement of anti-theft initiatives
- Persuaded Government that we are a serious player on road safety
- Gained access to bus lanes in several areas -- including London
- Made motorcycle tax discs cheaper for the majority of riders
- Gained employer tax exemptions on workplace PTW parking
It would be easy to claim that the success of any public affairs campaign lies in what doesn’t happen in terms of adverse legislation, but at MCI we keep a keen eye on the future and think of things in terms of securing and developing a political bedrock from which motorcycling can flourish.
This involves working as closely as possible with key decision makers so that we can secure a positive political environment. This isn’t exactly high profile or particularly ‘sexy’ activity from the outside observer’s point of view. But this foundation of quiet activity will secure the industry’s long term political environment, allowing the motorcycle business to flourish with minimal political interference.
It is our intention to provide more information to members regarding our public affairs and PR work. So look out for regular updates and news specials, bringing you more up to date news from the lobbies and the MCI’s PR department.
For more information about MCI’s public affairs activity, please call Craig Carey-Clinch, MCI Public Affairs, 07979 757484.
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