The board rooms may be quiet
But the need to develop our strategy continues
Progress up dateWhere we areHey, it's been a while since I updated this thread. It's one of those tasks I keep meaning to do but something else comes along and before you know it, you're saying to yourself 'I must do that tomorrow'; - but then something else comes along and you say the same thing again and again, before long a month or so has gone. I suspect some of you know what I mean.
To be honest, this campaigning really does get tiring, you can definitely be in danger of allowing it to take over your life; that's not good I know, but that's the way it is. I guess in truth I passionately believe in the job I do and want to carry on doing. Part of me sees it slipping away at times, as we battle on I wonder how many people are hearing our voices?
Well, what I would say is if you do nothing, you can be absolutely assured no one will hear you. It's one of the reasons why I willingly give up my time on an entirely voluntary basis to man the 'Mylegal' site. I've been greatly encouraged by the numbers viewing at times and often in to the small hours. It would be good if a few more people would sign up to becoming members, it just helps to know that those campaigning for our essential advice services are not alone. It doesn't take long and everyone is encouraged to make a contribution, entirely of their own accord, it would be good to hear what some of you think, good or bad; - we welcome it all!
It may seem the campaign has become stagnant, I can understand why people may think this. It's been a time of silence as Justice for All has taken a summer break. I don't blame them but I do think they could have asked someone to keep up at least an internet presence; - it would have helped in terms of keeping us up to date, or even just knowing some was there.
I hope the period of silence and the appointment of a campaign manager for Justice for All enables them to come back to us with some fresh ideas on our next step. Time is marching on and it is now only a matter of days before parliament recommences. The scrutiny committee sits again but I have little, if any faith, that they will listen to anyone.
My bigger hope is in what will happen when the legal aid bill goes into the house of lords in the Autumn, I'm pinning my hopes on a bit more humanity than was shown in the House of Commons. Much as though I'm interested in and closely follow politics, I have to say I've become very disappointed by how the political ideology of those who propose this absurd reform has allowed them to steam roller the whole sorry bill through. I remain absolutely convinced that the abolition of social welfare law services in key areas such as welfare benefits, debt, housing and so forth is not being done to assist fiscal deficit reduction; - it is being implemented as a means of ensuring the least advantaged in society are even less able to challenge the state and civil injustice. There is a preponderance of evidence which shows that government is simply throwing money away on schemes which have failed in the past, it says it is 'relaxed' over paying up to £14,000 per person to get people off benefits and into work, it a nonsense to deny an individual legal help to the value of £167 per person; - the amount which funds a welfare benefit case. It is key that individuals have access to people who can effectively challenge the state over their lawful entitlement to something as basic and fundamental as social security.
I've used this period of apparent silence, not to mention some of my well deserved summer vacation (and yes minister's I've earned it) to 'gather evidence'. I've come to a conclusion that our current tact must be to hone our argument. My predominant concern is in ensuring our vital services continue to be available to our clients who I know will continue to need them. That said, it has gone a bit quiet in terms of client numbers. My paranoia tells me it's some sneaky plan to down our client count so HM.Gov can tell us we're not needed, well there;s no way all those social problems have gone away is there?
Perhaps people are ringing the Money Advice line, if they are I'm sure they'll get little more than a basic level of guidance, there's no way it's a replacement for the highly specialist service we offer.
At the start of this campaign there was a touch of excitement, it was quite liberating speaking in Parliament and in the question time event to our legal aid minister, it was all a bit novel and new. Since then it's been damn hard work, lots of research, endless torn up ideas and rethinking. At times I've wondered if it was worth it but I remain convinced that we must remain completely focussed on our direction.
Direction 
There's a choiceI think you have to ask yourself if you believe in what we're fighting for, if you don't then I suppose the inevitable advice I would give to you is to leave at the next available exit. It's as simple as that, some of you may find it quite liberating, perhaps trying something new. It's a good time to rethink your ideas on your chosen career path, if your heart isn't in this campaign, may be social welfare law just isn't for you.
That may sound harsh, it's meant to; - because our biggest enemy is complacency and a feeling of acceptance that it's hopeless in terms of what we can do, if we think like that we allow ourselves to be beaten.
Our bigger enemy is the central core of government who want to diminish the rights of individuals by curtailing their ability to allow them have their say. I firmly believe that there are politicians of all divides who have an instinctive feeling that taking away legal aid from those who need it most is wrong. The most powerful argument is in social welfare law, the more absurd case is to be found in those who continue to leave legal aid for high cost criminal cases unchallenged, yet this is the area which they don't dare touch; - and we're letting them get away with it!
Our success is to be found in common sense and in being able to present our argument, that's my next challenge. I'm firmly convinced that if we can do this we can at least influence the minds of those who can influence change.
Arguments can be won, many of the politicians in Parliament are new and out to carve careers for themselves, others are more likely to vote for what is the best interests of their constituents. The Lords will need educating as to what all of this means, none of us should take it for granted that they know, some don't, others do and don't care.
But most people when faced with common sense will see what your point is so long as you point it across in a way they can understand.
But remember
It's others you have to convinceAnd it is here where I think I'll probably come up against my greatest challenge. By working closely with our local MP, I was pleased to receive some confirmation that she is going to arrange a meeting with the Legal Aid minister Jonathon Djanogly. I will be asking Citizens Advice for some assistance with this but I am none the less determined that they don't swallow it up by taking over what I see as our case, needless to say I will be looking for support from our local Devon CAB's and the accent must be on a good presentation.
I see that as far as welfare benefits is concerned, it is key that this revolves around welfare reform. I've amassed an abundance of evidence on this and see that there is a widespread concern shared by government, welfare to work providers and the DWP that the key to successful transition from welfare to work can only be possible by proper assessment. The assessment process includes that of working out which level of support a claimant receives in so far as:
(1) Whether they are capable of any work
(2) Whether they have limited capability and need support
(3) Whether they are fit for work
It's a legal issue and one which is determined in our first tier tribunals, it is an area where all eligible claimants should get the appropriate legal help to ensure they are correctly assessed.
Naturally, there is a case for all the other benefits but the key ones are those associated with welfare reform because these are likely to be the most problematic.
So a lot of work is being done on 'putting the case'; - it's essential that we get this right. We've got all the information and can build our case. Then we need to think about how to take this forward.
The next step
Making sure it goes forwardThe plan(1) Preparation of proposal/collation of evidence
(2) Ensuring all actions with submissions to scrutiny committee submitted
(3) Planning meeting
(4) Rework on proposal
(5) Meeting with legal aid minister
(6) Get a 'Lord on Board' for the battle within the House of Lords
(7) Continued lobbying of local MP
(8) More publicity
There's lot to all of this!
I'll let you know how it goes. But if anyone else would like to share their experiences please do so here on Mylegal; it would be good to share it.
