Lobbying in the UK Flashcards
What is Lobbying?
Lobbying is when individuals, businesses, trade unions, groups or charities try to get a government to change its policies.
What is a lobbyist?
A lobbyist is a person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators.
What advantage do lobbying groups give their clients?
The advantage the lobbyists/lobbying companies provide for their clients is that they sell their expert knowledge of the political process to those who can afford to hire them.
These groups and companies often employ people who have close links and relations to the government [usually former advisers or staff for particular politicians]. They create strategies for their clients to access the political process, in this sense they are selling their insider status.
Example of Lobbying working?
Former foreign secretary Jack Straw claimed in 2015 that he had used his contacts in the EU to change sugar relations on behalf of ED & F Man Holdings, which paid him £60,000 per year.
How do Lobbyists influence politics in the UK?
Lobbyists try to influence MPs by enticing them to meetings with companies and businesses one method is by the lobbying company inviting the politicians to a sporting or music event for free and have them allocated a seat next to a client of the company who has paid to sit next to the MP. They then will talk about matters concerning politics.
Prominent Lobbying groups include?
-The Cicero Group [Financial services, energy and transport, infrastructure companies]
-Adam smith [Former special advisor who lobbies for paddy power]
-PLMR [Specialises in political lobbying and media relations]
-Frederic Michael [News international]
-Hanbury Strategy [Specialises in political communication for anyone who faces a current political risk or issue, though the client list is not made public]
