Organised opposition.
WHAT FORMS IT TAKES
Community objection Online campaigns Complaints to regulators Media investigation Formal protest
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FIRST
What the concern actually is.
WHY
Responding to a mischaracterisation of the concern escalates it.
WHAT TO ASSESS
Whether the concern has merit How widely it is held Who is raising it What outcome they want
WHAT TO DO IF IT HAS MERIT
Address it, and say so.
WHY
It is the only response that resolves anything.
WHAT TO DO IF IT DOES NOT
Explain the position factually, with evidence.
WHAT TO AVOID
Dismissing concerns Attacking those raising them Legal threats as a first response Silence
WHY ATTACKING FAILS
It creates sympathy for the critics and it becomes the story.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
Facts, accessible and verifiable.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
A route for people to raise concerns directly.
WHY
It removes the reason to escalate publicly.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT SUSTAINED CAMPAIGNS
Engage where engagement is possible, and continue operating properly.
WHAT TO PROTECT
Staff, who are frequently targeted personally.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That they are not required to respond individually.
WHAT TO MONITOR
Where the discussion is occurring.
WHAT TO RECORD
Everything, including any threats.
WHAT TO TAKE ADVICE ON
Anything involving allegations of illegality.
