When Politics Becomes Performance — And What to Do About It
Staying focused on real change when the noise gets louder than the solutions.
Hi,
Last week we had one of those classic Stormont moments — you might’ve seen it. During a debate on special educational needs (SEN) provision, the Education Minister was asked whether AI wrote part of his speech. He called it a “cheap shot,” and things went downhill from there.
The headlines weren’t about the £1.7 billion he’s calling for to support SEN.
They weren’t about the six children with no school place this September.
They weren’t about how stretched our education system is.
Instead? They were about whether ChatGPT wrote his speech.
And while that might seem like a side story, it taps into something bigger — something we all need to be thinking about if we’re trying to influence policy:
What happens when politics becomes performance?
What happens when theatre takes over — and the substance gets lost?
It’s Not Just Eye-Rolling — It’s Distracting
Of course, a bit of back-and-forth is normal in politics. And yes, accountability matters. But when the focus shifts from what’s being said to how it’s being said — or worse, who said it — we all lose out.
Because when you're working hard to raise real issues — poverty, mental health, youth services, education, housing, domestic abuse, addiction — you need the spotlight on the issue. Not on the drama.
And if you've spent hours crafting a briefing, preparing your pitch, and getting buy-in from your board, it's frustrating (and disheartening) to see the story spin out into something performative instead of productive.
But here’s the thing:
You can’t always control the performance. But you can control how you respond.
And that’s what I want to talk about this week — how to keep focused when politics becomes theatre, and how to make sure your advocacy still lands.
How to Stay Focused When the Room Gets Noisy
1. Come back to your core message — every time
It’s tempting to jump into the drama. To throw in your own “cheap shot” or try to ride the wave of whatever’s trending. But the most powerful thing you can do is come back — again and again — to your issue.
“We’re here to talk about children with special educational needs. Let’s stay focused on that.”
Simple. Unshakable. Powerful.
Your message should be clear enough that it holds even when the conversation spirals elsewhere. That’s how you become the voice people listen to — not just the one shouting the loudest.
2. Frame your message for influence, not attention
Attention is cheap.
Influence is earned.
Crafting a message that gets people on side means:
Speaking directly to their priorities
Giving them something useful to do
Making the connection between your issue and their remit or constituency
When you do that, you’re not performing. You’re persuading. That’s where change happens.
3. Build up your resilience muscle
This one’s not glamorous, but it matters.
When you're in this space — especially as a campaigner, advocate or policy lead — you’re going to feel ignored, sidelined, and even used for optics. You’ll see others getting traction with fluff while your work is deeply considered and deeply important.
That doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. It just means you’re playing the long game.
Stay consistent.
Keep speaking clearly.
Don’t disappear when things get noisy — keep calmly showing up.
4. Know when the performance is the point
Sometimes the drama is strategic — and knowing that helps you respond more effectively.
When an MLA takes a swipe at someone during a debate, it’s not always about the issue at hand. It might be about:
Testing the media reaction
Creating distance from another party
Drawing attention away from a lack of action
Shoring up support within their own ranks
If you can see what’s really going on, you’re in a much stronger position to redirect, reframe, or sidestep it entirely.
5. Don’t let the headlines discourage you
It’s demoralising when you pour time and effort into shaping a policy message or consultation response, only to have the media focus on the side story.
But that doesn’t mean your work didn’t matter.
Most change happens away from the cameras. In a hallway conversation. A well-timed email. A quiet follow-up. A line you gave them that ends up in a speech — even if your name's not attached.
Stay the course. They are listening — even if the headlines say otherwise.
How I Can Help You Cut Through the Noise
If you’re struggling to be heard in all the noise — especially when politics gets theatrical — I can help.
Here’s how:
Sharpen your core message so it sticks
Help you prepare for meetings and briefings when you're short on time
Write briefs, social posts, consultation responses and even funding applications that speak to decision-makers
Develop a public affairs strategy that works for where you are right now — not some imaginary ideal
And my podcast, Policy360 Unplugged, has great conversations with experts, campaigners and policy-makers — and yes, you can earn CPD points by listening.
If you need a hand, just reach out — or hit reply to this email.
Final thought
There’s always going to be noise.
But the people doing the real work — the work that changes systems, shapes futures, and supports communities — are the ones who don’t get distracted for long.
So stay focused.
Stay strategic.
And keep showing up for what matters.
You’re doing more than you think.
See you next week,
Ellen