Yet today campaigners need to be more sophisticated. They operate in a more competitive environment. Politicians and decision-makers and constantly lobbied. If a charity's voice is going to be heard it needs to develop far reaching alliances and secure the endorsement of other public interest groups. It also needs to understand that the Labour Government is less ideological.
Ministers are open to persuasion.
But New Labour likes to avoid confrontation. It will not make policy decisions which are out of step with public feelings. Indeed, clever politicians today pride themselves on their ability to predict how the public will react. Campaigners have always needed to illustrate public support for their cause. Today they need to go further.