BLOG: A Whitehouse Spokesperson says
August 2010
Charting the NHS White Paper
One of the more interesting vignettes to emerge from the many media stories that marked the Coalition’s first hundred days in power was the story that Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley wanted to include in his list of achievements the fact that there had been no top down reorganisation of the NHS. According to The Times, officials at the Department of Health stopped him from repeating this Conservative election promise - and anybody reading the Government’s White Paper on health Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, released at the beginning of July, will understand why.
The White Paper proposes major changes to the health service, including putting commissioning services into the hands of GPs and expanding the role of local authorities in public health. To try and help illustrate how this White Paper will alter the workings of the NHS, Whitehouse has produced a flow chart highlighting lines of accountability and funding, together with a timeline that covers when the Government hopes to introduce specific changes.
Click here to download a PDF of the Brief timeline for structural reforms to NHS (150 Kb)
Click here to download a PDF of the White Paper Flow Chart (96 Kb)
Sam Blainey, Junior Consultant
It might be summer but don’t expect the Government to be taking a break
A week into the summer recess Ministers are showing no signs of heading for warmer or more exotic climes – save of course for the recent diplomatic trips made by David Cameron and other senior members of the Cabinet.
Summer holidays for Ministers, it would seem, are a luxury ill-fitting with the government’s push for austerity.
So government departments continue to take forward the coalition’s agenda, which has progressed at nearly breakneck speed during its first three months in office. Significant steps have been made, with the unveiling of plans for major reforms to the NHS – amounting to the biggest change in healthcare delivery in more than two generations – the announcement of policing and justice reforms, and the passing of a flagship policy in the Academies Act.
The speed at which these policies have been enacted lends itself to the image of a sprinter rather than a marathon runner pacing himself over the life of the parliament – and it is a pace that the government shows no signs of slackening.
MPs returning to Westminster in September can, therefore, expect more of the same. The government has clearly set its stall out early and will be looking to take forward its significant reforms aimed at cutting the budget deficit and expenditure – with the aforementioned health and policing reforms appearing very high on the list.
Whether such reforms deliver the desired change is something that – ironically given the pace at which the government is moving – we will have to wait and see. One thing is for certain: there’s unlikely to by any quiet time in Westminster for the foreseeable future.
Chris Rogers, Communications Manager
July 2010
Enterprise Rent-a-Car and The Communication Trust to host receptions at the LGA Conference & Exhibition
Two Whitehouse clients will be hosting receptions at the LGA Conference & Reception, which runs from 6-8 July at the BIC in Bournemouth.
Over wine and canapés, The Communication Trust will highlight the role of local authorities in improving outcomes for children with speech, language and communication needs from 6.30pm on 6 July in the Franklyn Suite of the Connaught Hotel. The evening will also introduce Jean Gross, the Communications Champion and discuss the upcoming activities of the Communications Trust following its appointment to deliver the 2011 National Year of Speech, Language and Communication.
Enterprise Rent-a-Car will be showcasing its work in helping Woking Borough Council drastically reduced the cost of staff travel while also cutting carbon emissions and transferring legal liability for staff travel from the public sector to the private sector over wine and canapés from 7pm on 7 July at the Connaught Hotel. Speakers will include Ray Morgan, Chief Executive of Woking Borough Council, and Rob Ingram, Vice President of Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
For more information about either of these events, please visit our stand (T20) at the BIC, located in the centre on Tragonwell Hall.
Chris Rogers, Communications Manager
June 2010
Emergency Budget 2010
Politics and economics are always intertwined but rarely more so than now. Faced with a budget deficit of £150 billion for 2010-11 George Osborne had little choice but to act decisively and act decisively he did. VAT up, a bank levy, benefits down, 25% Departmental spending cuts. Economists will agonise over the detail for months and if Osborne has called it wrong and the private sector cannot pick up the jobs that will be lost in the public sector then a double dip recession seems a racing certainty.
But what of the politics? Where now for the coalition, and specifically the junior partner, the Liberal Democrats? Flanked by Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander (David Cameron seemed hidden behind Osborne during the speech) Osborne’s speech was a coalition Budget, with the Liberal Democrats right behind it. They’ve not merely checked in together but they have opted for the honeymoon suite. Alexander and Clegg in particular have always been on the right of the Party and are ideologically uncomfortable with the Labour Party, both old and new.
Looking beyond the embarrassment over the U-turns and policy reversals lie bigger, more fundamental questions for the leadership and the Party. The 11% increase in seats the Party took in 2005 came largely at the expense of Labour and the ‘decapitation’ strategy pursued in key Tory seats was a disaster. Iraq and top-up fees loomed large. The left embraced the Liberal Democrats and Charles Kennedy’s personal approval ratings were higher than Blair’s or Howard’s. 2010 again saw the Liberal Democrats doing better in left leaning constituencies. Their hearts and their electoral maths lie to the left of centre despite what Clegg and Alexander may say.
But this goes further. The Conservative Party, bolstered by many new MPs who embrace Thatcherite politics, do not wish to stop here. The state, for them, is too big and must be cut. 22nd June was the start of a journey and not the end. Osborne said as much in his speech.
For the leadership this presents many problems and the voices of disquiet are already sounding. How many will vote against the Budget? Will Lib Dem MPs in student areas convince their constituents that abstaining on top-up fees is acceptable? And will someone stand against Clegg on a platform of breaking the coalition?
Yesterday saw George Osborne take a huge economic gamble. Clegg’s support was about as big a political gamble as it is possible to take.
David Hare, Director
Greater transparency welcomed
Welcoming the greater transparency announcements by the new Coalition Government, Chris Whitehouse, MD of the Whitehouse Consultancy, says: "Greater transparency is a prerequisite of greater confidence in the relationship between Government and public affairs practitioners. We warmly welcome this initiative but would encourage all Government departments also to proceed to declare online information about meetings in future between senior civil servants and lobbyists."
For full details of the transparency announcement by the Cabinet Office click here.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
May 2010
Statutory Register of Lobbyists welcomed
Chris Whitehouse, MD of the Whitehouse Consultancy, welcomed the recent commitment by the new Coalition Government to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists saying:
"The introduction of a statutory register is long overdue. We very much welcome the greater openness and transparency this will bring to the sector. We hope it will be followed by agreement to bring in a statutory code of ethics for lobbyists since it would be unthinkable that an agency might derive the benefits of inclusion within an official register without simultaneously agreeing to adhere to ethical standards of behaviour."
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition will provide stability
The Cameron/Clegg Coalition gives Britain a stable government - at least in the short term. This should reassure the City and allow the UK to continue to play an active role on the world stage. The real hard work now begins to drive forward the reform of public services and finances, a prerequisite of future economic growth.
Whether the coalition can survive beyond the first parliamentary session or hits the rocks will determine whether current events are an aberration or bring about a long-term paradigm shift in British politics.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
April 2010
New foundations for Whitehouse
Public and parliamentary affairs specialist The Whitehouse Consultancy has announced four new appointments, along with an expansion of its Westminster offices following a period of sustained growth.
Whitehouse has appointed Emma Carr as a Senior Consultant. Carr, who has previously worked for the Social Market Foundation and the British Thoracic Society, and is a former Vice-Chair of the Young Fabians, will direct a number of accounts within the Whitehouse portfolio across areas including NHS procurement, health and nutritional policies, sports and pensions.
Carl Thomson has joined the Whitehouse in the role of Consultant, specialising in environmental policy. An advisor to Conservative MPs for more than five years, Thomson previously worked with Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions Theresa May, and served as Senior Parliamentary Assistant to John Redwood MP.
Carr and Thomson are joined by fellow new arrivals Sam Blainey and Simon Lucas, both of whom have taken up Junior Consultant positions. Blainey, who worked in the office Andrew Dismore MP, and Lucas, who previously worked for the National Federation of Builders, will provide support to the Whitehouse portfolio with specific focuses on health policy.
Following these and other recent appointments, Whitehouse has also announced that it is doubling the size of its Westminster office and anticipates making further staff appointments in the near future.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director, said:
“The year has got off to a flying start and we are delighted to welcome Emma, Carl, Sam, and Simon. Their individual skills and knowledge will be very valuable additions to the already formidable experience of the Whitehouse team."
“Our decision to make these strategic appointments and to expand our offices follows a period of sustained growth over the last 12 months, during which our team has developed by almost a third. To have done this in a period of recession is a tremendous achievement and we have high hopes for further growth and success during the remainder of 2010.”
Chris Rogers, Communications Manager
A hung parliament doesn’t mean hanging about. Manager director Chris Whitehouse considers the implications of a hung parliament for CorpComms.
Click here to read the article at CorpComms.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
Managing director Chris Whitehouse considers how the three candidates might fare in the first leadership debate in British political history for CorpComms.
Click here to read the article at CorpComms.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
Election Manifestos and Lobbying
The lobbying industry has not had a particularly good press of late. Following last year’s revelations about MPs’ expenses, there was a heightened awareness of wrongdoing in and around Parliament and in January this year David Cameron identified lobbying as “the next big scandal to happen”. Just two months later, former Ministers including Stephen Byers were caught on camera allegedly offering to have informal chats with Government figures in return for £5,000 a day from a fictitious lobbying firm made up by the television production company.
In response to this scandal the major political parties all promised increased restrictions on lobbyists and what they could do. Now that they have all released their manifestos for the forthcoming General Election, and with all parties keen to position themselves as reformers of a discredited Parliament, how many have stuck to their pledge and what are they pledging?
Liberal Democrats
Promising to “cut the improper influence of lobbyists”, the Liberal Democrats propose a statutory register of lobbyists, together with changing the Ministerial Code so that Ministers and officials are forbidden from meeting a serving MP about an issue “where the MP is paid to lobby.” Companies will also be required to declare how much they spend on lobbying in their annual reports and a statutory register of interests for Parliamentary Candidates will be introduced, along lines similar to the register that already exists for MPs.
Labour
Perhaps not surprisingly, given that Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon were Labour MPs, the Labour manifesto does not devote too much space to lobbying. However, it does promise a statutory register of lobbyists, along with a ban on MPs working for “generic” lobbying companies.
Conservatives
The Conservatives are quick to condemn the “sleazy lobbying practices” that they say have helped to undermine faith in politics. Interestingly though, the Conservatives say that the lobbying industry “must regulate itself” and only if it does not will a Conservative Government step in with legislation. This makes the Conservatives the only major party not to promise statutory regulation of lobbyists.
Under a Conservative Government, former Ministers would be banned from lobbying government for two years after leaving office. They would have to seek confirmation that there is no conflict of interest between their previous Government role and any business posts that they wish to take up for ten years after leaving office. Any Minister who breaks rules on appointments will be forced to give up some of their Ministerial pension. A Conservative Government would also require senior civil servants to publish online details of expense claims and meetings with lobbyists.
The Conservatives also propose a ban on central government bodies using public money to hire lobbyists to lobby other government bodies, although Labour published details of a similar ban in its proposals for reform of Arms Length Bodies released on Budget Day.
Summary
As seems clear, all parties are keen to do something about lobbying and it looks probable that, at the very least, a new Government will seek to ensure that the voluntary register of lobbyists covers all lobbying firms. Whichever party takes office following May 6th, it will be the beginning of a period of reform for the lobbying industry.
Sam Blainey, Junior Consultant
Lights, camera ... action?
News that Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg would face each other in televised debates sparked immediate excitement and assumptions that electioneering in the UK had just been changed forever. There were inevitable comparisons with the presidential debates in the United States, which are viewed as pivotal points in the respective candidates’ campaigns.
Surely, leadership debates would prove to be a deciding factor in the UK’s general election.
On the face of it, this would appear to be true. Purely from a logistical perspective, the debates will take up considerable amounts of the leaders’ campaigns as they prepare, consolidate and even rest in order to be at their peak. Douglas Alexander has gone as far as to suggest that the build-up and fallout from each of the three debates could run to a total of nine days. Given that formal campaigning is spread over little more than a month, this is a considerable investment on the part of the leaders.
Equally, there appear to be immediate winners from the announcement that debates will take place. Nick Clegg, in particular, will be a big beneficiary as he gets to go toe to toe with Brown and Cameron as an equal and a legitimate potential Prime Minister, as opposed to be being viewed as peripheral as the leader of the third party.
For David Cameron too, leadership debates should be a considerable gift. Despite Gordon Brown’s outward enthusiasm, there is little doubt that Cameron is the more gifted and comfortable media performer and, according to a YouGov poll for The Guardian, 42% of respondents expect him to perform better than Brown (16%) or Clegg (11%).
However, as the dust settles on this initial excitement ahead of the first of the debates, the question must be asked – just how influential are the debates really going to be?
Cameron might be more polished in front of a camera, but this comes with the weight of expectation. Should he fail to perform, or should Brown or Clegg be better than expected, this potential advantage for the Conservatives will immediately be negated.
All three party leaders also do not appear to be helped by the format of the three events. In agreeing to debates, the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats agreed to no less than 76 rules, governing timings, when opponents shake hands and even whether the audience (which will be selected from the local population by ICM to provide a cross-section the local community) are allowed to applaud. This lends weight to suggestions that the debates will become entirely regimented, allowing the party leaders to plan at length and reel off scripted answers.
This would be to no-one’s benefit, and would leave Brown, Cameron and Clegg in a metaphorical straightjacket – able to follow the party line, but equally without the ability to land a meaningful blow on one of their opponents.
A recent YouGov poll for The Guardian suggested that while 64% of voters had firmly made up their minds as to which party they would vote for, 28% said they might switch allegiance with a further 7% being undecided. This means that some 15 million votes are still up for grabs – and it is these voters that will effectively decide who forms the next government. Whether the debates impact on their decision, we will just have to see.
Chris Rogers, Communications Manager
March 2010
The Budget and the General Election
Managing director Chris Whitehouse analyses the Budget and comments on the upcoming General Election for CNBC Europe.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
The Renewal of Government
Policy Exchange, the influential centre-right think tank with close links to the Conservative Party, have produced a major new report called The Renewal of Government. Described as “a manifesto for whoever wins the next election”, it tackles what they see as the key problems affecting a number of policy areas, and suggests a solutions on the basis of the free market, individual responsibility and limited government. Whitehouse has produced a comprehensive briefing on this report, which can be found here (PDF 156KB).
Cleaning up Politics
Tucked away on page 5 of the Conservative Party’s Technology Manifesto published recently, was an important commitment that the Conservatives will require civil servants to publish online and in full details of meetings with lobbyists. Such an open transparent approach will be a breath of fresh air and is something for which we as a leading Westminster lobbying agency have been calling for some time.
We are also particularly keen on the pledge to introduce a technology enabled Public Reading Stage for legislation which will allow for wider and deeper scrutiny of proposed new laws, providing a real opportunity for public engagement.
We hope that all political parties will pick up on these themes in the new Parliament whoever forms the government because greater openness and clearer lines are long overdue. Indeed, we hope that an early consensus can now be created that we should move to statutory regulation of the lobbying profession. Nothing less will now do.
Far from being afraid of such regulation, we believe it would help restore public confidence in politics and clean up the sector.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
February 2010
Will moving the boundaries move the election goalposts?
In the knowledge that Gordon Brown will soon call for the general election, it is worth considering what effect changes to the boundaries of constituencies across the UK could have on polling day.
At the moment, Labour has a working majority of 57 seats, meaning that the Conservatives under David Cameron will need to return 326 MPs – a minimum net gain of 131 seats in order to win a majority. This, however, does not take into account the possible impact of boundary changes, where the gain or loss of a rural ward or housing estate could make all the difference to the results in marginal constituencies.
In 2006 the Boundary Commission completed its review of constituency boundaries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland after a three year project. The result was that some areas in England, such as Lancashire and Essex, gained a constituency, while others like Tyne & Wear had one removed.
The narrowing of the polls over the recent weeks and months mean that it could yet be boundary changes that propel David Cameron to Downing Street. The Boundary Commission’s changes appear to favour the Conservatives, with a number of new seats being created in traditional Conservative heartlands in the south, while Labour’s majority appears certain to be slashed.
Thirteen new seats have been created for this general election (10 Conservative seats and three Liberal Democrat), with nine abolished (six Labour, two Conservative, one Liberal Democrat) – and the likelihood that 20 seats would be won by different parties under the new boundaries.
If this had happened in 2005, Labour would have had a majority of 44 seats rather than 64.
This does not mean that David Cameron and his team have any room for comfort ahead of the election. Anticipating the effect of boundary changes is by no means straightforward, and it is virtually impossible to predict the size of majorities based on the voting patterns of different areas within the same constituency. Two seats in particular sum this up: York Outer (a ring of suburbs outside the city) and Filton & Bradley Stoke (north of Bristol) will be contested in the first time in 2010. Both are made up of elements of constituencies with very different political persuasions, and it is impossible to predict what will happen in these two seats.
Gordon Brown can take some comfort in Labour’s improved performance over recent weeks, along with the fact that under our electoral system Labour traditionally has a better distribution votes and is more likely to ‘win small but lose big’ than its opponents. In 2005 across England Labour won a seat for every 28,111 of its votes – whereas for the Conservatives it was 41,982, and for the Liberal Democrats, 110,591.
After the boundary changes, if the Conservatives are to win the election the Party will need a swing of 6.9% to earn a majority – more than the Conservatives have managed at any point since World War II, and considerably more than Margaret Thatcher’s famous victory of 1979, which saw a swing of 5.3%. The boundary changes might support the Conservatives, but they have an electoral mountain to climb if David Cameron is to be handed the keys to 10 Downing Street.
Gary Jones, Consultant
January 2010
What do the Conservatives have in mind for the NHS?
The recent publication of the Conservative Party’s draft health manifesto has been widely seen as the opening salvo in a long general election campaign. The early signs are that the NHS is once again set to be a political battleground. But how far will their policies differ from those of the current Government?
In important respects, Conservative health policy will represent continuity rather than change. The Conservatives have backed Labour’s market-based reforms such as the introduction of Foundation Trusts and provision of NHS health care by the private and voluntary sector. Their biggest criticism is that Labour has not gone far enough; there has been some obvious back-peddling recently from Health Secretary Andy Burnham in saying that the NHS is the “preferred provider” of healthcare. The Conservatives have said unequivocally that “any service provider from the private or voluntary sectors will be able to compete on equal terms for a NHS contract.”
Likewise, it is likely that under the Conservatives practice-based commissioning will be stepped up, with GPs given the power to actually hold patients’ budgets and commission care on their behalf. Under the current situation, GPs only hold a “virtual budget”, while Primary Care Trusts actually hold the cash.
However, there are important aspects in which policy will differ. Most importantly, it will be impossible for the Conservatives to offer the NHS funding increases at the same rate as the current Government, which has doubled funding in real terms. Funding will probably stay the same in real terms, but with so many upward pressures on health spending the NHS may still be left short-changed.
Other changes included in the draft manifesto include: an independent NHS board to allocate resources; turning the Department of Health into the Department for Public Health with increased emphasis on preventing illness; changes in the approval process for drugs; and the replacement of process targets with outcome measures. Health outcomes from different providers will be published so that patients can use the information to choose between different providers in order to drive up quality.
Overall, it seems unlikely that the NHS will see fundamental reform under the Conservatives. The current market based system will almost certainly provide a large degree of continuity, although the Conservatives are likely to embrace it more fully than the Labour Government has. They have pledged to reduce interference in the day-to-day running of the NHS, and stop the constant stream of reforms seen over the last 12 years. Only time will tell how accurate this pledge turns out to be.
Frances Powrie, Junior Consultant
December 2009
The importance of local lobbying
A key priority for the current Government has been the devolution of ever greater decision-making powers to local government, to empower local communities to determine their own priorities.
This began with the Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper in 2006 and more recently the introduction of Comprehensive Area Assessments to measure how well-run local public services are and how effectively they use taxpayers’ money.
The imminent general election focuses on key national policy battlegrounds, like climate change and the NHS, so it is important to ensure policy messages are communicated at local level – particularly given the Conservatives’ support for policies to devolve more power to local government.
Effective local lobbying relies on identifying those at the local level who can best help you to achieve your objectives and not only includes key local authority decision-makers, but also prospective Parliamentary candidates and networks such as IDeA, the Improvement and Development Agency for local government, and Regional Government Offices.
Many of our clients have made progress towards their strategic objectives at local level, by providing tools, training and support for local staff, and monitoring implementation and progress. Incorporating a local level programme in public affairs campaigns can deliver real success.
Katie McDowell, Consultant
November 2009
Free public affairs representation for Ovarian Cancer Action
Our team really value being able to provide a pro bono service and so it is with great pleasure that we take on Ovarian Cancer Action as Whitehouse’s pro bono client for 2009/2010, receiving free public affairs representation.
Ovarian Cancer Action is dedicated to improving women’s chances of surviving ovarian cancer by raising awareness of the disease and its symptoms; funding research at the Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre based at Imperial College Hammersmith; and giving a voice to women affected by the disease.
Annually we invite worthy organisations to apply for our scheme, offering strategic public affairs advice to organisations who otherwise may not be in a position to undertake public affairs activity.
This is an exciting opportunity for Ovarian Cancer Action to get their foot in the door in Westminster and Whitehall and we look forward to working with them to help them take their campaigning to the next level. This is an important time to contribute to the policy development process, with the general election less than a year away.
Whitehouse has significant experience working with health and third sector clients, so Ovarian Cancer Action is the perfect fit. Our team look forward to working with them to increase awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, allowing earlier detection and improving women’s chances of surviving ovarian cancer.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
October 2009
Lobbyists drinking in the last chance saloon
The government has refused to force lobbyists to operate more transparently, contrary to the recommendations of the Public Administration Select Committee into lobbying.
This confirms our prediction that regulation of the lobbying profession is unlikely to be a high priority for either of the main political parties in the run up to, or immediately following the coming general election.
But the issue will remain on the political agenda. The profession is drinking in the last chance saloon and is only ever one major scandal away from burdensome and expensive legislation.
This should be a wake-up call to make self-regulation credible.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director
Champagne still on ice for Conservatives
The Conservative Party conference in Manchester saw the party seemingly on the brink of power. The pendulum certainly appears to have swung in the Conservatives’ direction with reports that people could hardly move for party members, exhibitors and, of course, lobbyists, in sharp contrast to the Labour Party conference where cameras captured wide shots of rows of empty chairs.
The Conservatives might be ahead in the polls but they still couldn’t afford for the conference to be an anti-climax. Senior Conservatives warned attendees not to be complacent, that the general election was not yet won. There were even reports that Chairman Eric Pickles banned champagne at the conference, insisting the party must appear ‘humble’. However, this seemed to backfire when several prominent Conservative MPs, including David Cameron himself, were caught glass in hand.
Following the Irish 'yes’ vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum the issue of Europe threatened to rear its head with hints of Conservative divisions over Europe and this was not helped when Mayor of London Boris Johnson, called for a referendum to take back powers from Brussels. The pro-European Shadow Business Secretary Kenneth Clarke then appeared to suggest that he would campaign for a yes vote if the Conservatives were to hold a referendum. This put the Conservative leadership on the back foot and they went to great lengths to play down any sense of division in trying to defuse the situation.
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne’s keynote speech outlined plans to raise the pension age, freeze public sector pay and stop families with a household income of more than £50,000 getting child tax credit. While under normal circumstances this would be considered electoral suicide the Conservative are hoping that by being upfront at a time when public sector finances are in a perilous state voters will reward their honesty when the time comes. There were of course more popular measures for the party faithful including an announcement that there would be no more government funding for fixed speed cameras and new plans to cut business red-tape.
In closing the conference David Cameron left the party members upbeat, offering a determinedly optimistic vision of the future under a Conservative government in contrast to the austere tone of his Shadow Chancellor. He resisted turning the speech into a victory rally perhaps conscious of Labour's 1992 Sheffield rally, when Neil Kinnock celebrated a victory his party had not yet won.
In recent times there has been a tendency for party conferences to be built up to be the 'make or break' moments in the fortunes of political parties and their leaders. This year was no exception with David Cameron challenged by the media at the start of the week to ‘seal the deal’ with the public. In reality this was never going to be the case and as the week drew to a close the challenge for the Conservatives remains the same. Despite an unpopular government, public unrest over the economy and the state of politics this has not resulted in the public shifting their support towards the 'government in waiting' so Cameron’s challenge over the coming months is to unite voters in order to claim victory.
Gary Jones, Junior Consultant
September 2009
Party conferences - are they worth it?
It has finally arrived.
The time of year when all the UK political parties, large and small, along with the trade unions, gather for their annual jamboree. Each differs in tone and content but some things are ubiquitous: late nights, frantic networking, large amounts of booze and some rather questionable finger-food.
For politicians and local activists it can be a great time to come together and share stories, debate and discuss contentious issues, and show the outside world that they are a united force capable of representing their constituents. But what about all of the other attendees; the charities, businesses, campaigning groups and trade associations, all seeking to influence the political process? When the hangover finally dies down, will it have been worth it, especially when recent research showed that last year one in four MPs didn't even bother going to their party conference, rising to almost one in three Labour MPs.
Estimates indicate that, for a presence at all three main party conferences, including a fringe meeting, a stand and a reception, the cost, including staff time, travel and accommodation, can come in at a cool £45,000. Small wonder that cash-strapped political parties market them so hard.
There is little doubt that, for that investment, you will get time with policy makers and have the opportunity to present your case. You will also get a sense of the political mood. 2008 saw Labour delegates agonising over what to do about a perceived listless leadership. For the Tories, it was about showing they were ready to lead. Little will have changed this year but subtlety and nuance can be sensed from spending time at conference and with less than nine months before a general election must take place that is valuable intelligence.
But the continual question remains, and will be the focus of much discussion during October: could we have achieved all of that elsewhere and for less cost? The answer in many cases is yes, and as marketing budgets get squeezed harder and harder, with 50% of UK businesses anticipating cutting their marketing budgets yet further in the next six months, the assumption that conference should be an annual budget line must be challenged, and challenged robustly.
David Hare, Director
January 2009
Lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director, The Whitehouse Consultancy Ltd respond to the Report of the Public Administration Select Committee on “Lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall”.
The Report is a valuable contribution to debate on the regulation of lobbying in the UK.
It seems the Committee’s message to the industry is that it is drinking in the last chance saloon and must improve its reputation if statutory control is to be avoided.
We fully support the call for a fundamental reappraisal of the role of the industry bodies. We have consistently argued that the APPC should exist to maintain a register of members’ clients, to develop a Code of Practice, and to ensure compliance by members with the requirement to register clients and adhere to the Code. It should not seek to be a trade association promoting the commercial interests of members since this is incompatible with the self-regulatory role.
On a positive note, the Committee was unable to identify any major crisis of ethics in the profession or to unearth any major scandals despite the high profile of its inquiry. It also accepted the argument that there are many others besides political consultancies who indulge in what it also acknowledges is the legitimate practice of lobbying Government and its agencies.
The timetable for action put forward by the Committee – a challenge to reform within six months or face statutory control – is unrealistic but should focus attention on the need to act. It is clear from the report that in the absence of evidence of any real scandals, there is little appetite for action on the part of Government. It is unlikely to be high on a priority legislation list in the run–up to, or immediately following the next General Election. So, the industry has perhaps two years to reform.
The most worrying aspect of the Report is the consistently low opinion that so many contributors to the debate have of the APPC - within the industry, within the Committee, within the House of Commons, and more widely. There are clearly lessons to be learned.
Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director