Hearts & Minds: Signing an open letter is easy, but not to be taken lightly

In their open letter to Rachel Reeves 81 retailers state the “cumulative burden” of her Budget changes and other policies will add billions in costs. Job losses are “inevitable” and higher prices “a certainty”.

It’s a well-used comms tactic. Rather than complaining alone, a company bands with others. It’s more impactful and affords safety in numbers. There are considerations to be made. Is this an issue you really want to go public about? Is what is being suggested exactly how your company will be affected?

Just because you’re one of many does not mean you can hide – you’ve signed it, you’re out there. When the media come calling for further reaction, as they might, for a response to the response, it is difficult to evade. The problem then is that if yours is the only voice that is played across the airwaves or quoted in newspapers, it can begin to look as though you’re alone. A possible solution could be to agree that journalists must be referred to the organiser.

Having made those statements, you must be ready to deal as well with questions from employees and stakeholders. You cannot go back on what has been said.

It’s not a step to be taken lightly or used too often. If you want the contents to be viewed seriously by the recipient and media then you cannot keep firing off willy nilly. Reserve it for major concerns.

Prepare to be knocked back, in public at least. The government and unions for instance, were quick to hit back yesterday. Nobody, least of all a senior minister, will wish to be seen to change tack based on one such letter. Get ready for being referred to as a special interest group. It is likely, too, that in discussing the new measures and their impact, your sector was taken into account. In that sense, what you’re saying may not come as a shock.

Where the surprise arises is that you feel strongly enough to go public. Suddenly, there is a collection of companies standing up for something. That is not so easily dismissed. Better still, is if there is third-party validation for your argument. That happened yesterday with Andrew Bailey, the Bank of England governor, agreeing with the letter’s sentiment.

Even so, don’t expect a climbdown. There may be softening in other ways. You’ve made your point, which is good, you’ve created a debate and provided food for thought. On their heads be it.

Chris Blackhurst is one of the UK’s foremost business journalists. He was previously Editor of The Independent and City Editor of the Evening Standard.