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opinion – pan panel Q HOT TOPIC: FRANCE’S LOBBY REGISTER [ THE QUESTION: Do you foresee problems? Fabrice Alexandre Managing Partner, Communication Institutions (C I) France’s Parliament has become the latest national legislature to commit to introducing a register of lobbyists – albeit a voluntary one (see News, p4). But with the European Commission’s voluntary register in Brussels widely criticised, we asked the above question to four Paris-based consultants ] Nicolas Bouvier Executive Vice-President of public affairs, Edelman The new rules are a positive thing for lobbyists. Firstly, they consolidate the role of lobbyists in informing MPs, an important development in France. Second, they ensure that any lobbyist is treated on an equal footing by entitling us to get around certain areas of the Palais Bourbon (only a few persons do today). At C I we already comply with the code of conduct’s guidelines: we declare who we are and who we work for, we respect parliamentary procedures, etc. Beyond this, we also reject the holding of any political mandate or function in MPs’ or ministers’ staff and lobbying practice at the same time, in accordance with the AFCL (l’Association Française des Conseils en Lobbying et affaires publiques) code of conduct. Hence, it won’t be a problem to meet these expectations. The access pass won’t change significantly our daily work: meetings and hearings with MPs will remain the basis of our contacts, as today; and it will continue to be much more useful (and comfortable) to follow debates on the internet than from the benches of the hémicycle! But access passes can be seen as a ‘plus’ and we welcome it. The real novelty here is the setting-up of an administrative procedure. But in France, new administrative procedures often get more and more complex, year after year. We hope that the new lobby registration system will keep the reasonable format that it has today – and that it will be applied to everyone. The main problem will be for MPs to acknowledge the new rules and one of their main consequences: the mere recognition of lobbyists in France. So far, MPs have often been ignorant of our industry and mostly reluctant to consider it as part of day-today parliamentary life. This new registration system for lobbyists at the Assemblée Nationale therefore represents a significant move for the industry in France. Although this decision was taken further to a polemical debate around transparency and interest groups’ influence, simply to be legitimised is a breakthrough for lobbyists in France. The second potential problem might be that not all professionals register. Let’s hope they will all understand the importance of this step forward and register, not only the already most visible – consultants and corporate people – but also trade association representatives, NGOs, trade unions, lawyers, etc. Overall, the benefit of this new system is more symbolic than practical, as we all know that we don’t necessarily need to walk down the halls to do our job properly. Although this registration system will probably be criticised or further adapted, although the Senate still needs to make a similar move, and although the debate about transparency and lobbying will go on, Paris is now at least on the same playing field as London, Brussels or Washington. Capucine Fandre Chief executive, SÉANCE PUBLIQUE Jean-Christophe ADLER President, Affaires Publiques Consultants (APC) Efficient exchange of information and smooth dialogue are crucial elements in a modern democracy. To an extent, lobbying is a powerful means to enable better communication between civil society representatives and politicians, which is particularly needed in the current economic climate. Given its crucial role in democracy, I am convinced that lobbying has to respect ethical values. I welcome the decision of France’s MPs to recognise the use of lobbyists in Parliament’s work, and thus lobbying’s legitimacy. But a question remains over practical issues. The French Parliament is asking lobbying institutions to publish a list of their clients and disclose the interests they represent. This is a welcome development but, personally, I am concerned by the apparent lack of a verification process. In my view, the Parliament needs to ensure the authenticity of the information submitted by all parties. But the new rules don’t seem to have left scope for checking entries. In addition, in order to clearly define lobbyists’ roles and ensure that ethical values are preserved, I think we will need to go further than a code of ethics. I believe lobbyists should work together on the establishment of an efficient ‘control’ framework that will ensure a proper application of rules on the profession. In this case, lobbyists could take a lead from relevant developments that have been made in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR). 18 | PublicAffairsNews | August 2009 After having served for six years as the elected chairman of France’s lobbying consultants’ association, AFCL, and relentlessly called for the recognition and regulation of lobbying, I am particularly pleased to see this commitment finally rewarded by the French National Assembly and soon the Senate. The National Assembly has decided to create a register and adopt a code of conduct for interest representatives, an initiative that I very much welcome, as it acknowledges the legitimacy of lobbying. It embodies the values we have always stood for, namely the need to ensure the ethics and transparency of our interventions, which we consider as a necessary condition of all lobbying activity. It will also contribute to the development of the market in France, by helping to convince those who still doubted that lobbying is fully part of any democratic, public, decision-making process. This is hence a very positive step. The next one, to go further in terms of transparency, will be to measure the real influence of registered representatives over legislative initiatives or processes in the form of indicative lists of lobbyists who were consulted and had significant input – the socalled ‘legislative footprint’. In this context, perhaps the biggest potential problem with the register is the fact that most law firms that do lobbying are likely to decline the opportunity to register (as has happened with the European Commission’s register in Brussels). August 2009 DS AR – AW S N ER IDE S PA W INN E IN SE www.publicaffairsnews.c inside this issue Chemicals lobby suspended from Commission’s register Complaint from Friends of the Earth Europe over CEFIC’s declared spend triggers action By ian hall MP S IN OUR MIDST? The PPCs who work in lobbying Ideas sent in so far for our ’50 Best Lobbying Campaigns Ever’ ranking... ...keep them coming to top50campaigns@publicaf news PPCs take jobs as public affairs consultants Conservative election candidate launches own PA consultancy; another takes role at PLMR The Conservatives’ PPC for Yeovil, Kevin Davis, has launched a public affairs consultancy named Cratus, after the Greek god of strength. Davis told PAN that clie news Lobby register for France paris: France’s Parliament is introducing a register of lobbyists as the global trend towards regulation of the profession takes in another European country. The register – which will only be voluntary – is to launch at the start of the next parliamentary session in O news McCarthy joins 4Children Whitehall expert is new public affairs director at young people’s charity National children’s charity 4Children has recruited a former special adviser in four Whitehall departments as its top lobbyist. Claire McCarthy has just started as director of public affairs, aim New-biz round-up Your essential monthly digest of organisations appointing or changing consultancies CONSUMER FORUM • BRITISH WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION • ABI • PORT OF DOVER • PREMIER INN • KINGFISHER • World HEPATITIS ALLIANCE Association of British Insurers – Hanover The Association of British Insu news Holiday lets job for Edelman Mobilisation on cards to fight planned reform of Furnished Home Lettings rules Edelman has been appointed by the Holiday Cottages Group (HCG) – the UK’s largest holiday-cottage agency – to lobby against proposed changes to tax rules on holiday lettings. Chancellor news people moves Ofwat has hired David Hackett to the new role of European affairs manager. Hackett, who has previously worked for organisations including the East of England Development Agency, reports to head of public affairs Ian Hulme. www.publicaffairsnews.c Union Unite’s group launches Unio Media How political rivals are faring in the press commons incheS: Burnham, Lansley and Lamb rival PARLIAMENTARIANS’ press coverage – number of mentions 22 20 Number of UK national newspaper articles mentioning MP 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 July 2 July 3 July 4 July 5 July 6 July 7 July 8 July 9 J Consultation tracker Your essential monthly digest of new consultations of interest to the public affairs community NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN LONDON • RADIOACTIVE WASTE • MOTORSPORT AND AEROSPACE • UNLICENSED MEDICINES • DIABETES CARE CONSULTATIONS LAUNCHED IN THE PAST month DCSF – Allegations of abuse a european news US Chamber hunts director Brussels role created to champion the ‘reduction of regulatory barriers’ BRUSSELS: The US Chamber of Commerce is hunting an executive director for its Brussels office to ‘advocate a pro-business agenda before European policymakers’. The person taking the newl european news european News in brief WHY THE CONSERVATIVES MATTER: ON PAN www.publicaffairsnews.c ONLINE 17JUL The Conservatives in the European Parliament could prove to be more powerful than ever in their new grouping – and should be ignored by lobbyists ‘at their peril’. That is the advice of Da european news End of an era for agency boss Alistair McLeish steps down at Central and Eastern European specialist MMD BUDAPEST/MOSCOW: Huntsworthbecomes Dobson’s deputy, owned Central and Eastern while remaining Eurasia chief. European (CEE) corporate Lock, who joined MMD in 2004, comms and public BAR . RESTAURANT . CAFÉ Located moments from the Houses of Parliament Catering for events 10-180 people Exclusive Hire Meetings and Conferences Bar and Café Area Four Millbank, London SW1P 3JA Four Millbank, London SW1P 3JA Tel: 020 7233 0032 Tel: 020 7233 0032 Fax: 020 7233 0010 Fax: 020 7233 0010 think-tank news Interim PR chief at ODI The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) is to launch a recruitment search in the ‘early autumn’ to replace head of comms Antony Robbins, who has moved to the same role at the Museum of London. The ODI – which won Think-Tank of the Year at the 2007 PAN Awards U derstand ng g vernment fr m e ery ang e To find out how we can help you, please contact: London Simon Nayyar Citigate Dewe Rogerson t. +44 (0)20 7282 2835 simon.nayyar@citigatedr Edinburgh John Mullin Citigate Dewe Rogerson t. +44 (0)131 225 8024 john.mullin@citigatedr. Brussels Samantha Seewoos opinion – leader editor’s COMMENT Paris leapfrogs Westminster in the race to regulate hose following the halting, haphazard progress towards regulation of the sector in Westminster and Brussels will be interested to read our report (p4) that the French Parliament has become the latest legislature t opinion – pan panel Q HOT TOPIC: FRANCE’S LOBBY REGISTER [ THE QUESTION: Do you foresee problems? Fabrice Alexandre Managing Partner, Communication Institutions (C I) France’s Parliament has become the latest national legislature to commit to introducing a register of lobbyists – albeit a volun opinion – columnists ed vaizey MP COMMENT kevin maguire JOURNALIST COMMENT Some ideas as PAN compiles Why there’s rising interest in its ‘top 50’ campaigns ranking the ‘approachable’ Lib Dems his magazine’s quest to research the ‘50 Best Lobbying Campaigns Ever’ strikes me as a laudable but ver Profile – MILES CELIC The Man United fan who is the new Man from the Pru After Oxford University, and working for companies including Fishburn Hedges and HSBC, Miles Celic recently landed the top public affairs job at FTSE 100 insurance giant Prudential. Not bad for a ‘working-class’ Salford lad, s PROFILE – MILES CELIC His parents were not much involved in politics: originally from Yugoslavia, forging a life in a new country, they wanted to keep their heads down and work hard. “It was a classic working-class immigrant background,” says Celic. Celic made his way from the local state school to LOBBYISTS AND PARLIAMENT MPs in our midst? In the fourth installment of our ‘Lobbyists and Parliament’ series, Ian Hall finds out how many of the next election’s confirmed prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) work in public affairs/communications Philip Allott COMMS/PA JOB: Founding managing LOBBYISTS AND PARLIAMENT Darren Caplan COMMS/PA JOB: Director of B2L Public Affairs in London STANDING FOR: Conservatives in Hackney North and Stoke Newington Richard Clein COMMS/PA JOB: Associate director at Bell Pottinger North STANDING FOR: Lib Dems in Sefton Central Damian Collins COMMS/PA JO LOBBYISTS AND PARLIAMENT ned six of the ‘Eyes on the prize’: in July last year PAN conve e; this feature listed in this edition for an extended featur PPCs in PAN’s ‘Lobbyists and Parliament’ series was the first Nick Clegg: the current leader of the Liberal Democrats formerly worked at GJW Govern recruitment appointments August 2009 | PublicAffairsNews | 25 electus making the right connection Go on! Make the leap! Electus is the natural recruitment partner in public affairs and corporate communications For an informative, yet confidential, conversation with one of our consultants please call 020 7091 7570 or visit www.electus-group.com “STEVE ATACK IS ONE OF EUROPE’S MOST RESPECTED EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANTS IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BUT HE ALSO UNDERTAKES SIGNIFICANT ASSIGNMENTS IN RELATED FIELDS INCLUDING ASSISTING CONSULTANCIES ACQUIRE OTHERS, THE CREATION OF INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND PROVIDING GU Thursday 5 November 2009 The Claridge, Brussels Nominations are now open: www.theparliament.com/e Campaign of the year Consultancy of the year Consultant of the year Corporate Public Affairs Professional of the year In-house Communications Team of the year NGO of the year Personality of the year Th bridge_195_60 copy.pdf 16/12/2008 10:57:14 classified C M POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE Dods Monitoring is a specialist political information provider delivering real-time monitoring to the political and policymaking community, from multinational corporations to trade associations, government agencies out and about my life CRAIG JONES Head of media and public affairs Legal Services Board Where do you live? Near Liverpool Street. I have been in the central-east bit of London since moving here four years ago. What’s your media diet? The comment pages of all the broadsheets at breaks during the day out and about All group shots are captioned left to right. To include photos of your event, send images to ian.hall@publicaffairsn Chris Quigley, CIOT head of external relations Simon Goldie and Makis Galiatsatos of the European Parliament’s UK office Fleishman-Hillard (F-H) Brussels summer cocktai Get your communications team the recognition it deserves The PRCA represents over 150 of the UK’s top PR firms. Because the best PR comes from agencies and in-house teams working together, we’re inviting in-house communications teams to join us as Associate Members, helping you ensure you have the