Preparing for a UK Select Committee Hearing: Communications Guidance
Select Committee hearings are a key mechanism for Parliamentary scrutiny – and when your organisation or leaders are called to give evidence, the stakes are high. Hearings are public, often televised, and closely followed by the media, campaigners, and stakeholders.
While legal teams may be involved in briefing and preparation, this is fundamentally a reputational moment, and strong communications planning is essential.
Here’s how to prepare:
1. Recognise the Reputational Significance
Select Committee appearances are not legal proceedings, but they can significantly shape public and political perception. Evidence sessions often generate media headlines and may influence regulation, funding, or future policy.
Tip: Treat the session as a high-profile communications moment. Your organisation’s credibility and trustworthiness may be judged as much on tone and transparency as on the content of your evidence.
2. Co-ordinate Across Legal, Policy, and Comms Teams
Your approach must be joined-up. Messaging should be aligned across public statements, internal briefings, and what’s said in the hearing itself – especially if it touches on contentious issues or ongoing legal matters.
Tip: Establish a core preparation group that includes comms, legal, policy, and public affairs leads. Keep messaging tight, accurate, and defensible.
3. Prepare the Witness as a Communicator, Not Just an Expert
Select Committees often ask challenging, unexpected, or politically framed questions. A technically correct answer may not be enough – clarity, tone, and body language also matter.
Tip: Provide full witness prep, including media-style coaching. Rehearse tough questions, hostile scenarios, and moments where emotional intelligence is key. Aim for calm, clear, honest responses that show accountability.
4. Have Media Lines and Stakeholder Messaging Ready
Hearing sessions may be live-streamed and clipped by broadcasters. Journalists will often report on the most memorable lines or tense exchanges. Be ready to respond – or correct the record — quickly.
Tip: Prepare reactive media statements in advance. Monitor the session live. Have designated spokespeople ready to brief the press or comment if needed.
5. Internal Comms: Brief Early, Reinforce After
Staff may feel anxious when senior figures are called to Parliament, especially if the topic is sensitive or relates to organisational culture or conduct.
Tip: Issue a short internal note ahead of the hearing explaining the context and process. Follow up afterwards with key messages, reassurance, and where appropriate, a commitment to learning or change.
6. Consider the Hearing in Context
Select Committees don’t operate in a vacuum. The hearing may form part of a wider inquiry, political campaign, or policy push. Comms strategy should consider the wider context and anticipate what might come next.
Tip: Map stakeholders and monitor the political environment. Use the opportunity to show leadership, transparency, and responsiveness.
7. Balance Preparation with Authenticity
While witness preparation is essential, there’s a fine line between being ready and coming across as robotic or overly defensive. Committees respond better to witnesses who are credible, composed — and human.
Tip: Encourage witnesses to be confident in what they know, open about what they don’t, and comfortable showing humility. Avoid over-rehearsed or scripted responses. A natural tone and a willingness to engage honestly often land far better than rigid, rehearsed delivery.
Summary: Clarity, Credibility, Composure
A Select Committee hearing is a moment of public accountability. With the right preparation — and close coordination between communications, policy, and legal teams – your organisation can come across as credible, responsive and principled, even under pressure.
Need help preparing for a Select Committee appearance, from message coaching to media handling? We’re here to support you.
Our clients rely on us to manage a wide range of sensitive issues. For a free, no-obligation conversation, please phone us on 020 7692 5675 or email us on [email protected], and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
