I'm a lobbyist. AMA.

[nachdemregen]

As above, I work in public affairs, aka lobbying. I usually describe myself as a lobbyist as most people look at me blankly when I say 'public affairs'!

Why?

Why am I a lobbyist? I was always into politics but I never wanted to be a politician.

What do you do? What does a typical day as a lobbyist involve?

What do you lobby for?

What does a lobbyist do?! Sorry for thick question!

Who do you work for? Are you lobbying for good or bad in your opinion?

I work in the tech sector.

A typical day starts with reading an in-depth briefing email. It lists mentions in the media of key people and topics of interest to my company (ministers, shadow ministers, backbenchers, campaign groups, charities, think tanks, government department announcements, etc). So for example, if you were lobbying for Tesco you'd be interested in anything to do with retail, food prices, cost of living and a load of other stuff.

I also get updated on anything that happened in Parliament the previous day - debates, legislation passing, relevant speeches etc. Same with regard to any local councils that might have announced something relevant. So my job involves a lot of reading.

After that I'm usually preparing for a meeting with a civil servant or politician, drafting documents like consultation responses or commissioning research to prove a point I'm trying to make. I also spend a lot of time working with people across my company so they are aware of announcements from the government and opposition and I explain how they could affect the business. Sometimes I spend time liaising with the trade association for my sector so we present a united front to government.

I'll always be looking out for new people to try and get to know or organisations to learn more about.

Not at all! A lobbyist is there to be the interface between an organisation and the government. So we're there to try and persuade the government to make rules in such a way that doesn't harm the business (and hopefully benefits it).

It's a bit like being a barrister. They persuade juries and judges, we persuade governments (on a good day!)

Do you always believe that the work you are lobbying for is good and beneficial to wider society, or that it’s primary focus is to benefit a small minority?

Which cabinet member is most open to a backhander, do you think?

Who would you not lobby on behalf of?

A bit like being a barrister? I don't think so 😆

I work in the tech sector. I'd rather not be more specific if you don't mind.

In lobbying it's sometimes harder to draw 'bad' and 'good' distinctions than you might think. I won't lobby for tobacco, for example, but I have done private healthcare. I happen to think that any kind of healthcare is a good thing, but I know it's controversial.

Take the Tesco example above. Tesco has the complete right to lobby the government and there's nothing wrong with working for them. But you could argue it's unethical because you're helping push unhealthy food to people. I don't agree but some people would take that stance.

Why not?

Assuming you lobby politicians & govt ministers on behalf of your clients, what sort of people employ your services, what do they want & what do the politicians expect as quid pro quo? Apart from wads of cash in brown envelopes, obv…

Tried to answer this above but happy to answer in more detail if you like.

Lobbyist here too. Hence the name change. 😀 Do you use Dehavilland, Dods or someone else for your morning briefing?

Honestly, none of them. This is a real misconception. There is the odd idiot in Parliament who takes money for things they shouldn't. But the rules are very clear and strict. We don't pay for access and no reputable lobbyist would.

This is a great question and I could write paragraphs about it!

I think lobbying is a good thing. If you've ever gone to see your MP about a broken streetlight, you've lobbied them. We should have access to our representatives.

The bad thing is that the most effective lobbyists cost lots of money (I'm not one of them!) So they're only open to be used by the biggest firms and not charities or smaller businesses that might really need access to the government.

I've used Dehavilland in the past. Currently using Vuelio but a bit iffy about it. What about you?

What does the ‘lobbying’ itself actually consist of? Beyond engaging with government workers, what do you/your company provide? Cash payments? Services? Gifts? Favourable contracts or perks for the worker and their family? Education and training? Free meals?

But the rules are very clear and strict. We don't pay for access and no reputable lobbyist would.

😂😂😂😂😂

Dods at the moment. Dehavilland in the past. People seem to ping between the two - both in which system they use and which they work for. It’s a small world don’t you find?

Companies employ me. But loads of lobbyists actually work for charities. Even local authorities might have a 'public affairs' person whose job it is to maintain the relationship with central government.

Politicians expect to be lobbied and don't ask anything back. They want to pass effective laws to benefit people and get re-elected.

So to take the Tesco example - you wouldn't want to pass a law that, say, accidentally put up the price of fruit. Sometimes when civil servants and ministers are drafting laws, those drafts contain unexpected side-effects. It's often the lobbyists who will go in and explain why the government shouldn't do something.

I think you’re painting a very rosy picture of what you do op which is a bit naughty. All the lobbyists I’ve ever known have admitted it’s a “dark art”.