Lobbying

I think it is common courtesy for MEPs/Member States to acknowledge the source of the inspiration behind amendments to Commission proposals.   It is a practice that MEPs I worked for were happy to practice. During a presentation to the ENVI Committee, it was simply good form to thank interests from industry, technical experts and … Read more

If you base your lobbying on speaking to a few people, you are in for a shock. I’ve just looked at the members of the ISSG over 2 years. At the service level, there has been over an 80% turnover. At the Cabinet level, it is around a 35% change. It is a helpful reminder … Read more

The first law of lobbying is to turn up. I’ve randomly looked at three legislative files I know a little about to see if the people interested in an issue are turning up. I’ve done this by looking at: Have Your Say Public Consultation Responses The EP’s Transparency  Statements And Rapporteur’s statements of whom they … Read more

Occasionally, you’ll face a proposal that is away with the fairies. It is the sort of proposal designed to solve a non-problem or a proposal whose intended and non-intended consequences will be detrimental to the interests that the author intends to solve. Wherever ambitious politicians or civil servants exist,  there is always the risk of … Read more