Atherton Associates
This article is part of the Lobbying Portal, a sunlight project from Spinwatch. |
Back to Lobbying Portal
Founded in 2006 by former Labour MP for Camborne Redruth Candy Atherton, Atherton Associates is a public affairs company based in Cornwall and London, UK.
Contents
Background
Atherton Associates is a member of the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC).
People
Clients
Previous clients:[1]
British Waterways | Royal Yachting Association | British Marine Federation | Webber Shandwick | The Inland Waterways Association | Penwith District Council
Activities
In August 2010, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced a ban on town halls hiring lobbying firms, ostensibly in a move to prevent "shadowy figures" from pushing "more regulation and special favours". Following the publication of a survey outlining the details of 74 local authorities and police authorities that have hired lobbyists, it emerged that Penwith District Council hired Atherton Associates to persuade ministers not to replace the six district councils with a single Cornwall Council. Roger Harding, leader of the controlling Conservative Group at Penwith, remarked that:
- We employed Atherton Associates to advise us on how to put our case forward and also to make it easier to arrange a meeting with ministers — we had tried several times… In the end we managed to get one within two or three weeks.
Ms Atherton commented that:
- I was happy to help Penwith who felt their concerns were not being heard. As well as advising them I ensured their letters reached the right civil servants so they could put their case.[2]
Contact, Resources, Notes
Contact
Website: http://www.athertonassociates.co.uk/
Resources
Notes
- ↑ Candy Atherton, "Clients", Atherton Associates, accessed 26.08.10
- ↑ Staff writers, "Stop wasting money", The Herald (Plymouth), 07,08.10, accessed 26.08.10