Lobbying

In most countries, suicide is not illegal. It is recognised that a free-thinking person can make their own choices, even the ultimate choice. The same goes in lobbying. People can choose to commit to steps that amount to political suicide. It’s quite common and often performed in public. It is never a pleasant spectacle. A … Read more

There are  three things you need to be a good lobbyist. You need (1) issue expertise, (2) process expertise,  (3) and some focused skills. No-one is born with the requisite knowledge or skills.   You can, over time, learn all of them. And if you want to improve your expertise and skills, you’ll refine it … Read more

A basic principle for lobbyists  is ‘be legal, decent and truthful’ I am reading the excellent ‘Marketing Communications’ by PR Smith and Ze Zook. It mentions the basic electoral law and advertising principles:  ‘be legal, decent, honest and truthful’. It’s a basic principle of lobbying. It seems like a no-brainer.  Still, some politicians, the Leave … Read more

Organisations and lobbyists love to gripe, complain and moan about Commission proposals.  Most hate to come forward with real solutions until it is too late. Experienced policymakers need ‘operational’ solutions. A good lobbyist needs to hand them over when the time is right. A new law or policy will take three to five years to … Read more