This is why I love public affairs: Déirdre's Story
I’ve always been a political nerd (no surprise to anyone who knows me!), and after a long career in the insurance industry, I finally decided to follow that passion and pursue a career in politics. When I was offered a job as a Parliamentary Assistant with the SDLP, it was truly a dream come true.
This role gave me invaluable, first-hand experience of how a political party operates, how decisions are made, and, perhaps most importantly, the slow, often frustrating grind of enacting policy change in Northern Ireland.
I never could have predicted the journey that awaited me when I started this job. Like many, I’ve always cared deeply about my community, but this role led to the chance to raise my voice and publicly address issues close to my heart.
Little did I expect to be delivering a speech at the SDLP conference on equitable childcare, but that’s exactly what happened! As a naturally reserved person, addressing the conference in St Columb’s Hall was a huge step outside my comfort zone. But despite the sweaty palms, it was a privilege to speak about why affordable childcare matters, not just to our parents, but to our workforce and economy.
This experience, along with my time working within a political party, reminded me that at the core of public affairs is people and the real, lasting impact policy decisions, good and bad, have on our lives. Take childcare, for example. I found it deeply disheartening to realise that the lack of affordable childcare excludes a large group of people, especially women, from our workforce.
My time with the SDLP ended when the MLA I supported decided to step down, but I walked away with valuable lessons. Influencing and enacting policy is all about understanding the landscape, knowing who to talk to, and ensuring the right messages land in the right places. And in Northern Ireland, these factors are especially crucial.
With the unique characteristic of power-sharing and the influence of both Westminster and Dublin, navigating government here isn’t always straightforward. But that’s exactly why I love using my experience to help organisations find their way through these complexities and, best-case scenario, drive meaningful change.
At Parley Communications, public affairs is a key part of what we do. Change in Northern Ireland is famously difficult, but I’ve seen first-hand that change is possible when you have a solid plan in place!
Need to engage with Stormont, Westminster, or the Oireachtas? Let’s chat.
https://www.parleycommunications.co.uk/contact