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Working with lobbyists
A view from the Dark Side

A guide for those who work for an MP

Added: 13 April 2007 

As all lobbyists, or public affairs professionals as we now like to be known, are aware, researchers are often slightly apprehensive about being lobbied, and in my time as a researcher, I was never quite sure how to handle it. The first question that always sprang to my mind was: what do they want from me? Having committed to the dark side now, as a fledgling PA professional myself, I’ve found myself wondering whether the question should rather have been: what can they do for me?

There are a lot of myths surrounding the public affairs profession, some self-perpetuating from shady 1980s practice, (Drapergate, cash for questions etc) and some fuelled by the amusing, if highly imaginative, portrayal of the river-view offices and Russian mafia hospitality in recent BBC2 drama Party Animals.  

The reality is a lot less glamorous than Party Animals, a lot less scandalous than cash for questions and a harder graft than simply knowing a few Ministers.

So what’s new about lobbying and how do deal with it?

The APPC

Firstly, let’s dispel the myths. Ok, we’re all aware that the 1980s heralded a bit of a rough patch, and not just in fashion, but also in lobbying. What deserves recognition now, however, is that the PA industry has moved on. The Association of Professional Political Consultants is doing great work in setting the standards that the industry has to meet. Its code of conduct focuses at all times on ethics, transparency and good practice, which means politicians, stakeholders, and yes, even researchers, can build mutually beneficial relationships with public affairs consultants which can really make a difference to the work they produce. APPC members also have to register all clients on the APPC register, which gives public access to the interests of each consultancy. For more info on the APPC, visit: http://www.appc.org.uk/

Dealing with lobbyists

1. Don’t be shy. If contacted by a public affairs consultant, never be afraid to ask them directly what they want from you, why they want it, and who they want it for. Under the APPC code of conduct, consultants have a duty to be open about their intentions when contacting clients, politicians and stakeholders. If the consultant tries to dodge this question, avoid them. It’s a common misconception that we lobbyists like operating in the shadows. We don’t. We’re happy to answer any questions you have.
2. Don’t be a closed book. Equally, remember that lobbyists are doing their job. PA professionals, in house and consultancy-based, are out to represent the interest of the commercial sector. Whatever your feelings about the aims of commercial organisations, they have a right to be heard and have their concerns addressed. To give informed opinion in policy debate, your boss will have to know all sides of the argument in hand. If you give lobbyists the time of day, they can make sure your boss has all the information, and is prepared for all the counter arguments he or she may face.
3. Use them as a resource. Remember that PA consultants are extremely knowledgeable about their particular sector. They often have access to information about policy, companies, and stakeholders, and time to focus on singular issues to develop an in-depth understanding. Researchers, by nature of the diversity of their work, will be bombarded by copious amounts of information on a daily basis. So next time your boss wants to know who said what in which report and why, and they want to know by yesterday, try asking a public affairs contact, they’ll be more than willing to help out.
4. Let them make your life easier. The chances are, at some point, and perhaps quite often, your boss will want to meet with local businesses, or even large organisations, who are lobbying on a certain Bill or policy. Let the lobbyist make you look good. Most lobbyists will be more than willing to give you key information prior to the meeting. Use it to brief your boss, and make sure the meeting is as constructive as possible, whilst earning you the brownie points of making sure your boss is clued up and knows what to expect.
5. If there’s something wrong, say it. If you feel you are being subjected to some unethical lobbying practices, report it. The APPC can only function if it is informed in the way the industry is working.
6. Look a gift horse in the mouth. Make sure you keep a scrupulous record of anything of monetary value a public affairs professional pays for or gives to you. Lunches, dinners etc. you are obliged to officially declare any gift of over £250 received from a public affairs consultant. Same goes with your bosses. While a good lobbyist won’t need to shower you with gifts, some still might try. Always be aware and wary of this. And gifts don’t mean you owe them a favour.  Again, good and ethical public affairs practitioners know this. Avoid the ones that don’t.

In conclusion, remember at all times that lobbyists are just out there doing their jobs. Yes, they have an objective, but most know the only way to secure long term goals for their clients is to make sure they work hard, follow transparent and ethical procedures and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with MPs and their staff. And who knows, one day you might decide that you would like to follow a similar career path. Lobbyists are always willing to wax lyrical about their profession, and will be happy to bend your ear about the job over a drink. So next time one approaches you, keep that question in mind: what can they do for me?

You might also like to look at one of our early guides (February 2004) on the same issue but written by a researcher: Handling Lobbyists.  Some of the references are now out of date.

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