Services/Public affairs, government and political relations

We are often asked if we are lobbyists, and we tend to answer no. In the maelstrom of recent publicity surrounding lobbyists and their cronies, that position has become increasingly attractive.

Certainly, Chelgate has a strong and successful Government Relations business. The scope of our activity covers Westminster, Whitehall, local and regional governments throughout the UK, and EU affairs in Brussels.

So, how do we distinguish our work from lobbying? Putting it simply, we are not guns for hire. Ministers and MPs will not find themselves lapel-grabbed in the corridors of Westminster by Chelgate executives arguing the case for this client or that. We tend to think that our clients are the best advocates for their own cause. Our job is to create the opportunity, identify the appropriate channels and help them shape and present the best possible case.

Of course we have friends in Parliament, just as we have friends in the media. But in neither case do we expect that friendship to give us special rights or privileges. On the other hand, if an MP, a minister or a special adviser knows that they can expect an accurate, well informed case, without trickery or deception, from a Chelgate client, they will certainly be inclined to respond more positively. The same rule applies just as well to our dealings with the press.

For the record, we have no compunction about asking an MP to ask a Parliamentary Question. No brown envelopes change hands; nor do they need to. This is democracy in action. The MPs are there to listen, and to represent you. If your case is a good one, it's not too hard to find someone to take it up.

But if we don't think of ourselves as lobbyists, we're proud to say that we do have a first class Government Relations business. Good communications between Government and industry benefits all of us, and it's important that when business has something to say to Government, it says it in the most appropriate way, to the right people, and with a proper understanding of the process. It's also vital that industry should have a good understanding of what Government is planning, and the timescale it is working to. This means effective and professional monitoring and feedback across the parliamentary and political system, and clients know that they get just that from Chelgate.

There is a real need for a profession that facilitates communication and understanding between industry and Parliament. But that industry is Government Relations - a core public relations discipline - and we're proud to be part of it.

Government relations or lobbying is also one of the topics in our Discussion forum.