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: cliftonbrowng@parliament.uk

• 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: nick.waloff@Hotmail.com)