Other Collective Orgs & Groups

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Think Tanks

Think tanks are a collection of experts who provide advice and solutions to specific political, social or economic problems. Think tanks can research policy, and influence policymakers.

The influence of think tanks

Think tanks try to influence public policy and policy debate through having direct access to political decision-makers, through use of the media and using other policy organisations to distribute their work more widely.
Think tanks aim to generate and publish policy ideas based on their research which politicians have not thought about or considered.

The Legatum Institute

The Legatum Institute has gained an influence on parliament and government ministers who support Britain leaving the EU.
The Legatum Institute proposed that Britain leaves the EU and removes tariffs.
- The Legatum Institute helped draw up a letter with Boris Johnson and Michael Gove to PM Theresa May which outlined certain Brexit demands.
- Legatum members held private meetings with civil servants and were referred to as having an influence by Michael Gove in the House of Commons.

Centre for Policy Studies

Centre for Policy Studies has strong links to influencing Conservative party policy, regularly attends party conferences and has influence over Conservative MPs.
- The Centre for Policy Studies holds events with Conservative MPs as speakers.

Lobbyists

Lobbyists are paid to influence decision-makers in the government, including MPs and House of Lords members, to create policies and act in the interests of their clients.

How lobbyists influence politics

Influence can be achieved through political donations, gifts and meals.
Lobbyists work on behalf of organisations, and allow organisations to have influence over decisions that impact or affect them.
Lobbyist influence can be most significant when lobbyists have significant access to, and personal contacts who are, politicians and decisions makers.

E.g. Hanbury Strategy

Hanbury Strategy was set up by Ameet Gill, a former special adviser to former PM David Cameron, and Paul Stephenson, a director for the campaign group Vote Leave.
Both founders have personal connections to senior decision makers within the Conservatives.
Hanbury Strategy lobby primarily around Brexit issues that affect their clients.

Corporations

Corporations can have access to the government and so have significant influence.

Corporate political influence

Certain corporations are consulted by the government on policies to gain their insight into the practicality of proposals.
Corporations try to influence political decision-makers by controlling of sectors of the economy so they can put pressure on decision-makers and gain more favourable policies and laws.
Corporations can influence political decisions by funding political parties, which gives access to political decision-makers.
Corporations often hire lobbyists to gain access.

Examples of corporate influence

BMW and Airbus are two of several companies threatening to reduce investment and cut thousands of UK jobs in the event that there is a ‘hard’ Brexit.
Bernie Ecclestone donated £1 million to Labour before the 1997 general election and led to the Labour government seeking an exemption for the company he headed, Formula One, from an EU ban on advertising tobacco.