Why we need internal policies
Internal policies, documents and plans allow parties to set a positive culture and make equality and diversity a bigger priority for the organisation. In a busy, political environment, it is all too easy for people in overrepresented groups to ignore the barriers underrepresented groups face. Inequality is structural and without positive action and planning, equal representation will never be achieved for LGBTI people, women, ethnic minority and disabled people. Internal polices can go some way to addressing these issues and ensure everybody in the party understands the agreed way forward. Internal policies also help organisations respond quickly to events or behaviour outside their immediate control, for example, abusive press coverage about a candidate.
However, whilst writing policies is a good thing, there is no point having a policy which has no influence on your practice. Equal representation requires changes to the practice of political parties.
Each section of this tool has a checklist which includes the internal policies you should have and use day to day.
These include but are not limited to:
- A welfare and inclusion policy (see ‘Attitudes and Assumptions’)
- Positive action in your selection processes (see ‘Selecting Candidates’)
- An accessibility policy (see ‘Selecting Candidates’ and ‘Events, Activities and Elections’)
- Best practice in recruitment policies. For example: flexible working, maternity, sick pay, fair recruitment etc. (see ‘Selecting Candidates’)
- A bullying and harassment policy (see ‘Party Culture’)
- A communications and media policy (see ‘Media and Messaging’)
- A social media and online behaviour policy (see ‘Media and Messaging’)
