Your MP and Market Making Nick Waloff, Managing Director, Waloff Associates Ltd Thursday 28 May...
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Transcript of Your MP and Market Making Nick Waloff, Managing Director, Waloff Associates Ltd Thursday 28 May...
Your MP and Market Making
Nick Waloff, Managing Director, Waloff Associates Ltd
Thursday 28 May 2015
Have you ever contacted your MP?
Yes
No
Can’t remember
Don’t know
What do you know about our MP?
• Been around for a long time
• ‘Knows his patch’
• Appears at a lot of local launches e.g. new post office in Lechlade, new businesses in Cirencester
• Involved in community initiatives e.g. Flood Committee
• Puts his weight behind campaigns
• Wider interests (China, animal welfare etc)
The CotswoldsConstituency • Established 1997
from the Cirencester and Tewkesbury Constituencies
• 65 miles long and 34 miles across at its broadest points
• Covers a number of market towns and the Cotswolds AONB
• Highest p.c. average income in South West
• High rate of new company formation
Why do businesspersons contact their MP?
Problem solving – tax issues; planning difficulties; community-related, exports and imports Introductions - to other businesses, networks and Parliamentary organisationsPolicy influencing – removing trade barriers or restrictions, securing preferential treatment, participating in trade missionsPromotion – invitation to launches, events, exhibitions etcSpeaking – using as speakers, openings etcCollateral publicity – ability to attract other individuals, organisations, media etc in the event of MPs attending
Benefits of a relationship with your MP• Information and market intelligence
• Willingness to co-operate on initiatives and issues
• Invitations to events
• Introductions to other relevant persons (MPs,
business and elsewhere)
• Introductions to officials
• Introductions to Ministers
Recent business engagemens – business openings
Eat Wild, Cirencester Blockley Village Shop
Recent business engagements- launches and anniversaries
La Hacienda, Cirencester
Gentrix Healthcare, Cirencester
Recent business engagements- business campaigns
FSB Gloucestershire
NFU Wootton under Edge
How to approach your MP
• Formal title – The Hon. or The Rt. Hon.
• Using secretaries
• Special Advisors
• Time slots
• Briefing in advance / providing information
• Clarifying that you are living/working in the constituency
• Post to your MP goes free
Profiling Your MP
• Specific background details• Interests• Recent speeches• Voting patterns• Foreign tours• Expenses• Website content ; social media
Do’s and don’t
• Don’t expect your MP to solve every problem – he or she is not a magician
• Do be clear about what you want from them
• Do provide them with necessary information
• Don’t expect instant results or meetings
• Do remember that they are dealing with a lot of requests, enquiries and matters, and have limited resources
Accessory benefits• Tea on the Terrace• Lunches for important guests• Tours of Parliament
All Party Parliamentary Group receptions
Personal Clubs (e.g. GCB Business Club)
There for all constituents
• Regardless of political persuasion
• Representing everyone once elected
• No preferential treatment
• At Parliament during sessions; otherwise in constituency solely for constituents’ business
• Can’t respond to or represent non-constituents
• Not allowed to ‘poach’ on other MPs’ constituencies or enter without permission on official business
Contacting your MP
• Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP
• House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 1AA
• Tel no (Parliament): 020-7219-5147
• Email: [email protected]
• Constituency office: 01452-371630 (Cotswold Conservative Association)
For more information
Nicholas P C WaloffManaging Director, Waloff
Associates Ltd(DDL 01367-253695 mob:
07710-225638 email: [email protected])