For over 40 years, Ron Bailey has been a consistent, albeit often unrecognized, force in shaping legislation in the United Kingdom. Now in his 80s and recovering from a stroke, Bailey's methods for getting new laws passed are as unconventional as they are effective.
Bailey's success can be attributed to a set of guiding principles, detailed in his book "Institutionalised Deceit: Taking the Lid off Westminster Governance." Key among these is the strategy of "giving your opponent a way out," a tactic he applies in campaigning. He also advocates for avoiding party tribalism, having collaborated with diverse groups throughout his career, from the Association for the Conservation of Energy in the 1980s to various political figures.
Another core tenet of Bailey's approach is to appear "ultra reasonable," making it difficult for opponents to object to his proposals. This strategy, combined with his deep understanding of parliamentary procedures, has led to several notable legislative achievements. These include the Home Energy Conservation Act, which mandated local councils to outline plans for improving home energy efficiency; the Private Hire Vehicles Act, which regulated minicabs; and the Road Traffic Reduction Act, requiring councils to develop traffic reduction strategies.
Bailey's mastery of the private members' bills process has been central to his legislative successes. This parliamentary procedure allows individual Members of Parliament to introduce their own bills. Bailey would swiftly lobby MPs whose numbers were drawn in the selection process, presenting them with fully prepared bills ready for introduction. He became adept at navigating this complex path to enacting new laws.
His work often put him at odds with figures like Conservative MP Eric Forth, a staunch opponent of the private members' bill system who frequently employed filibustering tactics. The Friday sessions where these bills were debated became known as "Eric Forth's killing fields" due to his persistent blocking efforts. Despite Forth's reputation as "uncrackable," Bailey managed to achieve victories against him. In one instance, to ensure the passage of his Private Hire Vehicles Bill, Bailey orchestrated a widespread local campaign, distributing leaflets to Forth's 50,000 constituents.
Bailey has also employed direct action, a tactic from his earlier activist days. He once famously locked a Liberal Democrat chief whip in his office to prevent rival campaigners from influencing him.
Despite ongoing health challenges, including recovering from his sixth stroke and dealing with insomnia and restless leg syndrome, Bailey remains actively involved in political advocacy. His friend, Lib Dem peer Lord Don Foster, notes that Bailey is "still at it," continuing to draft parliamentary questions and pursue legislative goals. Foster suggests that Ron Bailey has likely seen more pieces of legislation enacted than most cabinet ministers.