BRIGGS FAMILY
NAME
Vernon “Big Verne” Briggs
BIO
Works in politics. Not an MP but secretly wishes he was. Understands politics and government backwards. Can see what's really going on under the bonnet and why it so often fails to deliver for ordinary people. Is sometimes a little too forgiving of our political class for Viv's liking. Lives for his down-time with Viv, Leah and Rafi, and most of all, his new grandaughter Maya.
NAME
Viv Briggs
BIO
Viv is Big Verne's better half. She's grounded, practical, quietly brilliant, and has a fierce sense of fairness - qualities she relies on for her work in the community. She'll listen to anyone but won't be shy about putting them straight if they start talking rubbish. She hates injustice of any kind and will fight for the truth if she thinks someone is pulling a fast one. Importantly, she doesn't put up with any nonsense from Verne. Ever.
NAMES
Leah, Rafi and Maya Khan
BIO
Leah is Viv and Verne's only daughter, Rafi is her husband, and Maya their new baby girl. Leah is bright and ambitous but - especially as a new mum - too busy to think much about politics beyond the cost of living and the quality of life she and Rafi will be able to give Maya as she grows up. Rafi works hard for his family, is sceptical about politicians, and disenchanted with politics and its ability to do anything positive for him. Loves his football, though doesn't get to as many games now Maya's on the scene - no big deal (at least that's what he tells Leah).
NOW THE SERIOUS BIT
Why are the Briggs Family Here?
You'll have picked up by now that none of the Briggs family featured in Bigger Than Politics comms are real people. So, why do they feature in a serious campaign aiming to fix our broken political system?
The answer is simple: many campaigns addressing complex constitutional issues like democracy fail to make an impact with ordinary people, because their messaging is seen as too dry, too complicated and, frankly, too hard to link to the reality of the lives those people lead every day of the week. We believe we can solve at least part of that problem by expressing our campaign messages through members of the 'Briggs Community'. (Big Verne and his family are stepping up first, but some of their friends and neighbours will soon be helping too.)
In developing this concept, we've done lots of work to ensure that they're not simply pretty pictures. Each character has their own set of values, their own life challenges, their own personal views on politics and politicians, and their own ideas of what a fair society should look like. And, as a product of all those things, each has their own expectations of the political system. (Except Maya - she's just a baby.) By looking at the political system through the lenses of their lives, we hope to be able to speak to more real people in terms they will recognise and, in turn, help them to see the benefits of making democracy fair for everyone.
It's a novel approach, it's risky (we're braced for the wrath of the trolls!) and it's harder and more expensive than traditional campaigning. But we believe that fixing the broken rules of politics - so it can earn back the trust and confidence of ordinary people - is one of the most critical and urgent tasks facing the country right now, and we're happy to take a few risks if that's what's needed to get the job done.
We're excited to be working with Big Verne, Viv and the rest of the gang on this campaign. And we look forward to working with you too - whether you support one of the big parties, a small one, or none at all. Democracy isn't politics - it's bigger than politics. And that means everyone has a place in this campaign.
