Many around the Labour leader credit the 2017 General Election manifesto for limiting the scale of Corbyn’s defeat at that election and their strategy for the 2019 election has placed huge stock in the ability of this manifesto to reframe the campaign. This has been matched by the bold claims the party has made for it, describing it as “the most radical, hopeful, people-focused plan in modern times”. There are undoubtedly significant policy announcements here, many of which are likely to be significant whoever wins the election, but Labour strategists will judge its success by the extent that it shifts the election debate. They have sought to achieve this by a dramatic hardening of tone. Corbyn’s rhetoric has always had a clear ‘us versus them’ dimension but his remarks today place considerably more emphasis on confronting ‘them’, going as far as to welcome the ‘hatred’ of the rich and powerful.
This is the election where anything could happen. The Conservative Party has a strong poll lead and are favourites at the bookies, but as we know from past experience, there is a long way to go. Election debates, battle buses, controversies and wall to wall media coverage stand between us and our next government. Remember Theresa May’s disastrous manifesto launch which saw her commanding lead melt away in 2017? There are key moments in every election. In 2015, Ed Miliband lost his battle with a bacon sandwich and with it, his battle for Number 10. In 2010, the “I agree with Nick” debates were a breakthrough for the Lib Dems. Those with longer memories may remember John Prescott’s punch in 2001, or even Jennifer’s ear in 1992. There are 37 days to go. Expect the unexpected.
In unprecedented times of uncertainty, it can be overwhelming for organisations to navigate their influencing strategy. Here at Stratagem we can help you cut through the noise that can distract from the opportunities.
Like it or not, Boris’s government has given a new life to the Conservative Party. The recent Cabinet appointments, controversial as some may be, have put the Conservatives at a 10-point lead in some polls and it looks like we’re powering full steam ahead for a No Deal exit.
Boris’s purge has seen some poor and underperforming Ministers leave government. Who will set the new benchmark for incompetence now that Chris Grayling is out of Cabinet? Read more
Projecting £3m revenue,
the company will be one of the UK’s leading independents focussed on public
affairs
Acquisition is first
deal by fast-growing Connect since 2016 MBO
Gráinne Walsh will lead
Stratagem in Belfast and joins Connect’s top team
Andy Sawford, managing partner of Connect; Gráinne Walsh, director of Stratagem; Quintin Oliver, founder of Stratagem
Connect, the
Westminster-based public affairs and planning communications specialist, has
today joined with Stratagem, Northern Ireland’s largest public affairs agency.
While technically an acquisition, it is positioned as a merger, with Stratagem
continuing to operate with its own highly successful brand.
The initiative comes at
a pivotal political moment, with Northern Ireland playing a key role in
Westminster politics and Brexit negotiations.
The move grows the
overall Connect group team to 35 consultants and its projected group fee income
to £3m, making it one of the UK’s largest public affairs focussed agencies that
is independently owned.
Gráinne Walsh,
Stratagem’s head of consultancy since 2013, will take over the role of director
from Quintin Oliver. Gráinne will lead the Stratagem team in Belfast and become
a member of the Connect leadership team.
Andy Sawford, managing partner of
Connect, said: “Having grown our income organically by 50
per cent since 2016’s management buyout, Connect has been looking for the right
opportunity to catalyse the next phase of our growth. There is a huge
opportunity for us and Stratagem to grow together. Connect and Stratagem are a
great fit, with closely aligned values, complementary products and services,
and a shared commitment to setting high standards. Joining up with Belfast’s
biggest public affairs firm creates an unrivalled client offer at a time when
Northern Ireland is playing a pivotal role in UK and European affairs.”
Gráinne Walsh, director of Stratagem,
said: “Today’s news represents an exciting
opportunity for Stratagem. We would like to thank and pay tribute to Quintin
for his vision in founding Stratagem and leadership to make us Northern
Ireland’s number one public affairs agency. Quintin’s dedication and passion
for politics and our business has seen Stratagem thrive and deliver outstanding
results. These are changing times in politics and public policy, and it is now
the right time for Stratagem to become part of a UK wide team with Connect and
broaden our client offer.”
Quintin Oliver, founder
of Stratagem, explained: “Stratagem has defined
the public affairs market in Northern Ireland ever since the Good Friday
Agreement two decades ago. Bringing Stratagem together with Connect makes huge
sense at this stage, with talks underway, hopefully for the Assembly and
Executive to return, and with the Brexit drama unfolding around us, across
these islands.
“The joint business will bring added scale, investment and strong
relationships with key policy-makers, opinion-formers and political
institutions. I am pleased that the team at Stratagem will continue, headed by
Gráinne Walsh and I wish them well as I now take a step away to concentrate on
other projects.”
What does Theresa May’s resignation, and the arrival of a new Prime Minister, mean for Brexit? The fundamentals are the same: a divided country, a divided Parliament and a ticking clock. What changes with Theresa May’s resignation? First, we may revert to a ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’ standpoint from the UK Government. Second, we may have a PM who has ruled out an extension beyond October 31st. So a No Deal exit from the EU this year, is now a much greater possibility.
Florence Woodrow sets out a defence of all-female shortlists.
The UK remains in the midst of Brexit uncertainty. Much to the frustration of all sides of the debate, Parliament has been unable to reach a consensus on the best way forward and it is becoming increasingly apparent that a general election may be the only way to break the deadlock. Brexit has widened divisions in the UK and a more representative system is needed to heal the deep wounds in the British psyche. Read more
Connect is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, #BalanceforBetter which is working towards building a gender-balanced workforce, with equal opportunity for all. The movement advocates that balance is not simply a women’s issue, it’s a business issue and that it is an essential component for economies and communities to thrive and develop.
