1. Your MP and Market Making
Nick Waloff, Managing Director, Waloff Associates Ltd
Thursday 28 May 2015

2. Have you ever contacted your MP?
Yes No
Can’t remember
Don’t know

3. 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)

4. Established 1997 from the Cirencester and Tewkesbury Constituencies
The Cotswolds
Constituency
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

5. Why do businesspersons contact their MP?
Problem solving – tax issues; planning difficulties; community-related, exports and imports
Introductions - to other businesses, networks and Parliamentary organisations
Policy influencing – removing trade barriers or restrictions, securing preferential treatment, participating in trade missions
Promotion – invitation to launches, events, exhibitions etc
Speaking – using as speakers, openings etc
Collateral publicity – ability to attract other individuals, organisations, media etc in the event of MPs attending

6. 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

7. Recent business engagemens – business openings
Eat Wild, Cirencester
Blockley Village Shop

8. Recent business engagements - launches and anniversaries
Gentrix Healthcare, Cirencester
La Hacienda, Cirencester

9. Recent business engagements - business campaigns
FSB Gloucestershire
NFU Wootton under Edge

10. 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

11. Profiling Your MP Specific background details Interests
Recent speeches
Voting patterns
Foreign tours
Expenses
Website content ; social media

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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

15. Contacting your MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP
House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 1AA
Tel no (Parliament):
Constituency office: (Cotswold Conservative Association)

16. For more information Nicholas P C Waloff
Managing Director, Waloff Associates Ltd
(DDL mob: