PSA Communications

Monday, 12 September 2011

PR Week Soap Box

In his usual uncompromising style Simon Jenkins suggested recently that lobbyists (a term he uses very loosely) are enjoying a fine old time under the coalition government. His argument is that the very nature of coalition politics makes it easier for special interest groups to play one part of the government off against another. To back his assertion he cites recent policy u-turns (forestry, NHS, housing) or continued concessions to big spending lobbies (high speed rail, Olympics, renewable energy) as examples of how organised groups can manipulate naive and risk averse coalition ministers.

I agree with this. A well constructed, strategically communicated argument has more chance of progressing under a two-party coalition than it would under a government with a thumping majority. If Margaret Thatcher or Tony Blair did not want to listen, then there was little one could do to change that. The situation is very different now with two parties in government whose core philosophies are so diametrically opposed, it is easier to identify and tap into a vein of political support somewhere within the coalition.

However, a major constraint for lobby groups is the fact that the government has no money to fund new and interesting policy ideas. This was not a problem before 2010 when the Labour government seemingly put money into every idea it was presented with, no matter how barmy. Lobbyists now have to be far more creative - proposing policy solutions that do not have price tags attached to them.

Where I differ with Jenkins is his implication that all lobbying is somehow bad; Ministers should be their own masters - piloting the direction of policy, able to swat away the irritating special interest groups that are currently so effective at forcing a change of course. On the contrary I see "lobbying" - again in the widest sense - as a fundamental right in a democratic society. Indeed we would be all the poorer if Minister's ploughed on regardless of outside voices - Poll Tax anyone?

Philip Snape, MD, PSA Communications.

This article first appeared in PR week 02.09.11

August SRP update

The Government has published August progress updates for each department’s Structural Reform Plans

Thursday, 11 August 2011

Cameron acts to stem the tide

It’s a scenario that has been played out more than once recently. A major event monopolises the media, the Prime Minister is slow to react, recalls Parliament, and announces a packages of measures that seemingly steadies the ship.

David Cameron has lost none of the self confidence and communication skills that propelled him into No 10. Yet he grows seemingly ever more detached from the Conservatives. Unable to offer the right of his party the blue meat they crave on Europe and unwilling to sack Ken Clarke he is regularly outflanked by Boris Johnson who is becoming the principal standard bearer for Conservatism.

In some respects Mr Cameron is a leader without a party, a point reinforced by the fact that he remains the Prime Minister of a coalition government.

Yet for all this David Cameron remains a doughty Common’s performer. He will never be one for the detail but can stand at the crease and knock a century almost every time. His personal ratings show that the public is not done with him just yet. They might not, however, embrace the fashion (if you can call it that) of wearing your work shoes sans socks on holiday.

Following a shaky start, Labour leader Ed Miliband has continued to grow in stature. He has put himself on the right side of the debates on phone hacking and the riots, even if a number of his colleagues have not. Labour will be pleased to have a significant policy difference – police numbers – on which to attack the Prime Minister. It is an area where the anti-cuts rhetoric actually works so expect to hear more and more about this over the months ahead.

However, the real tests for Mr Miliband lie ahead. If he fails to deliver proposed changes to the voting power of the trade unions at Labour Party conference he will hand a major gift to his opponents in the media and the government benches. Labour insiders are suggesting that it is the unions themselves that are talking up the plans (in order to squash them). If that is the case then there is trouble ahead.

Nick Clegg continues to look like it is a struggle to get out of bed in the morning. All of us have to face up to the fact that we are mortal beings with a finite life span. Booed on a post-riot visit to Birmingham, Mr Clegg must think that jeering is a natural phenomenon in the same way the Queen thinks the natural odour of the UK is fresh paint. It is highly unusual for a politician to be able to predict with some accuracy the date of their demise. In Mr Clegg’s case most are suggesting it will be May 2015. Even if it is over three and a half years away, perhaps it is de-motivating him?

The summer holidays have been cut short. This will put the Westminster Village in a testy mood as the parties prepare for their annual soirees. Without doubt the political (and social) situation remains highly fluid.

July Structural Reform Plan progress reports

Tuesday, 12 July 2011

The changing face of British Politics

It’s been a hectic few weeks of allegations, revelations and of course the closure of a 168 year old national newspaper. The political ramifications of the hacking scandal will run and run, but at this early stage it seems Ed Miliband has as last found his voice on this issue, his tone has been pitch perfect reflecting a growing public anger. He forced David Cameron to agree to his call for a public inquiry (The PM ended up calling two).

On this issue at least it seems the Labour Party has finally got the leader it has been looking for.

Surprisingly, the Prime Minister has been on the back foot since the story broke and criticism of his decision to bring Andy Coulson into the heart of government shows no signs of abating. His refusal to apologise for this evident error continues to provide ammunition for the opposition. Expect to hear Ed Miliband and others plug away at this for quite some time.

So what next? With the BskyB takeover now referred to the Competition Commission (see Jeremy Hunt’s statement below) it would seem that News International have bought themselves and the Government some breathing space. However, if the drip feed of hacking revelations continue – and it seems likely that they will - the danger is that News International’s other titles may become infected. News International may feel confident that they could pass the hurdle of the Competition Commission whose remit is to look at media plurality. But the steady stream of allegations which now include attempts to access the medical records of the former Prime Minister’s son, will make it difficult for OFCOM to consider James Murdoch a “fit and proper person” to own his own TV platform should the media regulator have to apply this test.

The Home Affairs Select Committee heard evidence from Assistant Commissioner John Yates, who received a hostile reception from his inquisitors led by Chairman Keith Vaz MP. Yates expressed regret that he failed to properly review the hacking evidence in 2009 but ruled out resigning. Instead he put the blame squarely at the door of News International (there will be no post retirement Times column for Mr Yates). The Committee seemed unsatisfied with Mr Yates responses with Mr Vaz finishing the session by stating: "It is the view of this committee that your evidence is unconvincing. Please do not regard this as an end to the matter."

In another twist, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee have requested James Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks to appear before them next Tuesday (19th July). It is highly unlikely that the old man will – he cannot be compelled to. But if Mr Murdoch or Ms Brooks attend then expect sparks to fly.

Adding further fuel to the fire is Labour’s opposition day motion: “This House believes that it is in the public interest for Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation to withdraw their bid for BskyB” which will be debated on Wednesday and is likely to attract strong Liberal Democrat support (the government may concede this in its entirety). Wednesday is also (thankfully for the Prime Minister) the final Prime Minister’s Questions prior to a long recess.

Longer term implications
It is difficult to predict the longer term implications for the Prime Minster. David Cameron has been hurt badly by the saga and will continue to be as the drip-drip of appalling or salacious news continues. Rebekah Brooks told News International employees that there was a year’s worth of revelations as yet published. Mr Cameron, who will not want his premiership defined by this issue, may want to reconsider his decision to start the judicial inquiries after the police investigation.

Ed Miliband has rolled the dice on this. Not someone one would naturally associate with risk taking (other than blackjacking his Brother on a dark night in Manchester), he has gambled that there will be a sea change in the relationship between the media and political establishments. He will be keen to ensure the cross party discussion on the terms of the two inquiries hasten that. If they do not then Miliband can expect a torrid time from the Murdoch titles.

Equally it could be that the generally close relationship between the Murdoch empire and the Conservatives will also be transformed; wedding invitations, summer parties and Christmas dinners may be consigned to history. The danger for David Cameron is that he remains tainted by his association with the “Evil Empire” while his party moves on. Supporting Labour’s call to stop the whole NI/BSkyB merger would be a smart move for Mr Cameron even if it is again at Miliband’s behest. MP expenses anyone?

The reputation of the Metropolitan Police has also taken a pounding. The inquiry into their initial handling of the hacking revelations will undoubtedly create further embarrassment. An effective, forensic judge has the power to cause them significant pain. Of the current serving officers connected with this grand saga, it would appear John Yates has the most to lose.

BSkyB bid referred to Competition Commission

Friday, 8 July 2011

June Structural Reform Plans

The Government has published June progress updates for each department’s Structural Reform Plans.

Download the update reports for each department:

Monday, 20 June 2011

Who does what in Whitehall...

The Government has published departmental structure charts showing the name, job title and salary for all senior civil servants, plus team information and job descriptions across central Government.

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Ed gets angry at PMQs

It’s been difficult few weeks for Ed Miliband with the disquiet surrounding his leadership beginning to grow louder, thanks in part to a new biography and leaked documents illuminating Brown/Blair feud a little further.

Miliband decided to use all six of his questions to raise a very specific element of the Government’s welfare proposals. He claimed that cancer patients in recovery would be £94 worse off under the proposed system. He was passionate and angry and at one point lambasted backbench Tory MPs as a disgrace for shouting whilst such an important issue was being discussed and called on Cameron to pause the legislation.

The PM failed to grasp the point he was making and looked somewhat confused as a result. He insisted that the Government did not have plans to reduce welfare payments to cancer patients and told Miliband to “check his facts before coming to the House”.

Verdict: Miliband performed well and he needed to more than ever after a shaky week. The PM held his own but once again showed that he is not completely comfortable when questioned on policy minutiae but is the master of the sound bite calling Miliband “the weak leader of a divided party”.

Overall, a much needed win for Miliband.

Friday, 3 June 2011

Structural Reform Plans for May

The Government has published May progress updates for each department’s Structural Reform Plans.

Download the update reports for each department: