A few questions to drive your definitions
Defining a political platform goes far beyond policy proposals. It requires a deep understanding of who we are, what shapes us, and what values we are willing to defend in the public arena. Before outlining strategies or messages, it is essential to pause and reflect collectively on our motivations, principles, and vision. The questions below are designed to support this process of self-assessment and alignment, helping you and your team build a coherent, authentic, and grounded political project.
1. Why?
This question must be at the heart of everything and should be the first one answered. This will guide absolutely every decision you make.
- Why does this candidacy matter in this specific political and social context?
- Why are we doing this campaign?
- Why are we doing this campaign now?
- What personal and collective motivations drive us to enter this political dispute?
- What injustices or problems do we feel compelled to confront?
2. How?
Next, we need to understand how we want to do this. This will guide your work processes and culture, the team’s shared values and campaign’s goals and strategy.
- How do we want to conduct this campaign in practice?
- What principles and values will guide our actions and decisions throughout the process?
- How do we want to relate to voters, allies, communities, and even opponents?
- What kind of political culture do we want to embody and model through this campaign?
4. Who are we?
This question invites reflection on who is involved in the campaign.
- Who is part of this campaign and where does this candidacy come from?
- What is our shared history of action, struggle, or organising?
- What values, experiences, or identities unite us as a collective?
- What personal and collective experiences led us to build this project together?
5. Who will be the voice of the campaign?
Once the purpose, principles, commitments, concrete project, and the collective behind it are clear, we can decide who will be the voice of the campaign.
- Who is best positioned to represent this project publicly and politically?
- What personal qualities, experiences, and strengths support this role?
- What challenges or limitations will this person need to navigate?
- What life story and political trajectory help build credibility and connection with voters?
Tip: We recommend you make a dynamic with your leadership team to answer those questions, document and print an overview. It’s important to make it visible to every staff and volunteers so they can use these as guides to each decision. This will help you and your team feel confident and prepared to face challenges and achieve your goals.
