Public Consultations: A Waste of Time or a Secret Weapon for Change?
Public consultations—every policy wonk’s favorite (or least favorite) part of the process.
You spend hours crafting a response, only to wonder: Is anyone actually reading this? Or is it just an exercise in ticking boxes?
The truth? Consultations can be incredibly powerful—but only if you know how to use them strategically. Let’s break down how to make your submission count, what policymakers actually pay attention to, and real examples of groups that turned a consultation into real change.
Eavesdropping on conversations!
1️⃣ What Policymakers Actually Read (And What They Ignore)
Not all consultation responses are created equal.
📌 What gets noticed:
✅ Well-structured responses with clear, evidence-based arguments.
✅ Submissions that align with existing policy priorities or show strong public demand.
✅ Inputs that come from trusted voices or a broad coalition of groups.
📌 What gets ignored:
🚫 Long, rambling documents full of jargon.
🚫 Copy-paste responses with no new insight.
🚫 Emotional arguments with no data or practical solutions.
💡 Insider tip: Government departments often summarize responses into key themes—so making your points clear and concise increases your chances of being included in the final policy document.
2️⃣ How to Use Consultations to Actually Shape Policy
🔹 Pick your battles wisely – Respond to consultations that align with your priorities (not every consultation deserves your time).
🔹 Submit as a coalition – A well-coordinated response from multiple groups carries more weight than a lone voice.
🔹 Meet decision-makers before submitting – If you can, engage with policymakers in advance so your response isn’t coming out of nowhere.
🔹 Offer a clear "ask" – Make it as easy as possible for policymakers to adopt your recommendations.
💡 Pro tip: Instead of saying:
"This policy is unfair."
Say:
"To make this policy fairer, we recommend X, which aligns with the government's stated goal of Y."
Final Thought: Are Consultations Worth It?
If you’re just filling in a form and hoping for the best—probably not.
But if you see consultations as one tool in a bigger strategy, they can be game-changers.
The key? Make your response clear, back it with evidence, and ensure decision-makers are already aware of your position before they read it.
📢 Have you ever taken part in a consultation? Did it feel like a waste of time—or did it lead to real impact? Hit reply or drop a comment—I’d love to hear your experiences!
🚀 Want more advocacy insights? Make sure you’re subscribed to get practical policy tips straight to your inbox.
Support My Work: Buy Me a Coffee
If you’ve found value in this newsletter, my podcasts, or my training resources, consider supporting my work. Whether it’s signing up for a paid subscription or buying me a coffee, your support helps me continue to create practical, actionable content to help you succeed in advocacy.
☕ Support me here: https://buymeacoffee.com/policy360
Struggling to Get Policymakers to Listen? Here’s Why (and How to Fix It).
You’ve done the research.
You’ve written the policy brief.
You’ve sent the email… And then? Silence.
📌 No reply.
📌 No action.
📌 No change.
It’s not that policymakers don’t care—it’s that they don’t have time for unclear, unfocused, or overly long messages.
If your policy message isn’t clear, concise, and aligned with their priorities, it will get ignored.
That’s why I’ve created this practical, no-fluff course to show you:
✅ The 3-step formula for a message that gets read—and acted on
✅ How to structure the perfect one-page policy brief
✅ How to frame your ask so it aligns with what policymakers care about
Policymakers will listen—when you know how to make them.
💡 Want a bargain? Get 20% OFF (Use code 20OFF)
🔗 Sign up here:
https://policy360.teachable.com/p/how-to-get-policymakers-to-listen-crafting-messages-that-make-an-impact
Until next time,
Ellen