Good Practice

A lot of position papers are drafted in Brussels. Done well, they are one seful tool to make your case. Too often they serve the purpose of getting internal buy-in, more an acclamation of faith, than any sincere attempt to persuade decision-makers to back your case. If you want to draft persuasive position papers that … Read more

I’ve just re-watched an old Channel 4 documentary on how the first EU wide clean air law got through in 1997. The 3 episodes follow the adoption of  Directive 1999/30/EC. It still is the most realistic fly on the wall series I have watched on how EU law really is passed. I did not re-watch … Read more

There is one phrase that seems to guarantee most officials and many politicians eyes rolling and shut down any fruitful exchange. It is “if you do this, the economy will tank”, or a variation “we will close our operations and leave if you do this “. I’ve witnessed this line being used working for MEPs … Read more

A friend phoned me up about an organisation they wanted to donate to. They wanted to support bringing about policy change in an area the EU were active in. Below is a summary of my advice. How political decisions are made, and how to influence those decisions, varies between political capitals. How Washington D.C. and … Read more