Warning against lobbyists’ Tory-hiring frenzy
By Alex Stevenson
Lobby firms should be wary of hiring top figures within the Conservative party, a public affairs firm has warned.
Fiona Mason, managing director of Mandate Communications’ political team, issued a warning shot against those keen to recruit top Tory figures after reports that PR companies are rushing to hire senior Conservatives in the run-up to the general election.
“In the run-up to elections the spotlight is always inevitably on personalities because that is how some consultancies like to make their name,” she told politics.co.uk.
“There will always be particular individuals who will attract attention when they leave the political arena. But they are very few and far between and frankly they’re not necessarily defined by their politics – it will all be based on experience.”
Recent months have seen a swathe of Tories tracked down by lobby firms.
Helen Gale, a former member of the Conservative’s policy unit, went to public affairs firm TLG.
George Eustice, former press secretary to David Cameron, joined Portland Communications.
And Priti Patel, the Tory prospective parliamentary candidate for safe seat Witham, has been hired by WeberShandwick as a consultant.
“There are companies out there who are recruiting senior or well-respected PPCs as another way of getting the Tory credentials,” Ms Mason said.
“[This] demonstrates the short-termism of it – on the basis these people will get into parliamentt. If you’re a client, it may be great now. [but] that’s not a long-term adviser.”
The Financial Times newspaper recently reported that many public affairs firms are prepared to offer senior Tories double their salaries with the Conservative party to jump ship.
Despite the excitement, the much-expected Tory victory at the next election should not prompt such excitement, Ms Mason warned.
“Any good consultancy is not defined by one person,” she added.
“It’s a team made up of people from across the political spectrum who provide a wide range of advisory skills that go way beyond contacts.”
She called on the industry to “demonstrate maturity” and not rely so heavily on senior advsiers.
“While it’s very useful to have someone as part of your team who can provide that fresh insight, I think trying to define your whole business around one personality and one trophy hire is in my view taking a very strange look at your business.”
