Patrick Kerr - London First
’Lobbying still has a bad reputation in this country. When we think of
lobbying, we think of cash for access and vested interests rather than
dialogue and putting a case to decision-makers. If there is one good
thing to have emerged from Lobbygate, it is that the industry has grown
up. Fewer agencies sell their services on the basis of who they know and
more are selling themselves on how they can help clients meet business
objectives.’
Julia Harrison - GPC
’I think Lobbygate was a huge shame. Public affairs people are
interested in policy, politics and problem-solving; they are a bright,
good-faithed bunch. But then a few individuals behave stupidly and spoil
it. Lobbygate has made us even more determined to focus on a
professional attitude. The focus for most companies and clients is now
on adding value and developing a high quality service.’
Tommy Hutchinson - NatWest Group
’I think lobbyists have calmed down since the affair. Some lobbyists
used to overhype what they could offer clients. The scandal has forced
them to take a hard look at their practices. Clients have also become
more questioning about the effectiveness of the advice they are given
and the level of fees they are being charged. People are asking the
basic question of whether they need lobbying at all.’
Nicholas Jones - BBC
’Lobbyists certainly have a much lower profile now and it is quite
noticeable that the bragging has stopped. One would frequently hear them
talking about their clients. They gave the impression they were slipping
effortlessly from a political to a lobbying role. They were seen as part
of the unacceptable face of New Labour, a new laddism people found
obnoxious. I think we are still suspicious of them, though.’
Roger Saoul - J Sainsbury
’There is no doubt Lobbygate has had a positive impact. It has
encouraged consultancies to review and raise their ethical standards.
This has strengthened the industry, as has the parallel trend for some
of the smaller consultancies to join larger organisations. The in-house
public affairs function has certainly found its orthodoxy confirmed
externally and internally.’
