The Charity Commission defines campaigning in two ways: firstly, raising public awareness of a particular issue and influencing public opinion; secondly, political activity to influence government policy or legislation. Here we focus on the second kind of campaigning, and the question of involving the public for the purpose of influencing policy or legislation. Of course, it’s important to note that these two kinds of campaigning are by no means mutually exclusive, and often run hand in hand.

A briefing released in Sept 2009, using data from the Charity Parliamentary Monitor to examine whether party conferences are a good use of resources for charities and non-profits.

At a time when preoccupied MPs are making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and when charity budgets are constantly under threat, what hope do charities have of getting MPs’ attention? At first impression, the answer seems gloomy.

•  Last year 1 in 4 MPs didn't even bother going, rising to almost 1 in 3 Labour MPs 
•  "More persuasive to lobby politicians face-to-face in Westminster or at constituency level" says nfpSynergy's Lincoln 

As the party conference season gets underway, only 13% of MPs and 9% of Peers rate attending such gatherings as one of the best ways for charities to influence them, trailing almost every other lobby tactic - according to a poll out today.

• Build rapport with priority MPs and mobilise public to lobby them locally, parliamentarians tell cash-conscious charities

58% of Councillors and 50% of Local Authority staff think “charities are able to deliver public services as cost-effectively as local authorities”, respective figures rising to 63% and 59% when comparing charita