Week Eight: Get Writing
The Leadership Institute, on whose work the Young Britons’ Foundation is based, has as the basis for its training workshops the principle that “being right is not enough”. There is no point being correct on the issues of the day (be it Europe, hunting, taxes, crime or whatever) if you cannot communicate your viewpoint effectively and persuade others to follow or agree with you.
Barry Goldwater was right in 1964 but he lost in the then largest ever landslide to President Johnson. By contrast Ronald Reagan demolished both Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in 1980 and 1984. He had the same views as Barry Goldwater but, through his sunny demeanour and ability to communicate to Americans, he was able to win and to win well.
While it is rare for younger activists to get exposure to local and national broadcast media (although there are, of course, exceptions), it is much easier for young conservatives to spread the word in written form. Many do so by blogging. Some writes letters to the editor of their student, local or national newspapers. But often the best way to persuade is by writing considered pieces in, for example, the student newspaper. A feature on, for example, a conference or speech you recently attended or discussing a particularly newsworthy event or policy issue is a great way to persuade others. It is also very good practice.
When you begin to write your first pieces will inevitably not be Pulitzer Prize winning pieces of journalism – nor should you expect them to be. But over time you will eventually develop a writing style – a personality in prose – that will enable you to define what conservatism is to you and to help you communicate it to thousands of your fellow students and countrymen.
It is likely that your student newspaper will not have a conservative viewpoint. Offer to write a piece. If the editorial team turns you down, write a letter to the editor for publication (which letter is, of course, essentially just a shortened version of an article in any event). If you still cannot get published, maybe it might be time to consider setting up your own campus publication – be it online or in print.
The left has only developed its hegemony in the classroom and lecture hall because too many who could have stood up to their bullying chose the easy life instead. Just because conservatism seems likely to prevail in the next general election does not mean activists can simply sit back and wait for the government to run out of steam. Indeed that would be the very worst thing to do.
If you care passionately about politics – and surely you do if you are a campus activist – then you need to ensure that as many of your fellow students embrace your values and campaign for real conservative values. The more younger people that proclaim the conservative message, the better not only for the Conservative Party but, more importantly, for the country. Get writing!