If the WI is non-partisan, why does the Public Affairs department talk to politicians?

The Public Affairs department is responsible for ensuring that the goals and aims of the NFWI resolutions, voted upon by WI members at the AGMs, are achieved. The vast majority of the resolutions carried call on the Government to change, implement or remove policy or legislation of some sort. The NFWI Public Affairs then has to engage with politicians to bring influence to bear upon them for positive change as per the resolutions.

Government ministers, no matter what party is in power, are the persons closest to almost every issue raised by the WI. There are exceptions; e.g. government funding for air ambulances was desired by some areas of the country and not by others so M.P.s were not really part of that debate. The issue of the changing climate is important to MPs of all parties but the ones who can bring about the most change at any given time are those in power. MPs of all parties attended a ‘rally’ for discussion on this subject of climate change earlier this year; WI members spoke with as many as possible no matter which party they represented. Remember all MPs have vote in parliament so all matter!

The WI doesn’t just talk to the politicians in Government – as a non-partisan organisation the NFWI will engage with politicians of all parties. Having a mandate on a subject means the WI can speak to any relevant person who is connected with or who knows something about that issue and who is willing help achieve that resolution goal.