Conservatives in Communications
Conservatives in Communications was formed in July 2011 by Tory public relations executives and lobbyists with the aim of providing unofficial communications advice to the Conservative Party. According to PR Week the group is led by Lord Guy Black, a former communications director under Michael Howard's tenure as Tory leader and who is currently executive director of the Telegraph Media Group.[1]
Around 30 lobbyists and PR professionals attended the groups launch which was held at Tory lobbyist Kevin Bell's penthouse flat. Bell is a former adviser to Margaret Thatcher and former executive of Fleishmann-Hillard.[2]
Lionel Zetter, a lobbyist and former Tory election agent initiated the setting up of the group and said "It's always useful for a party to have a sounding board to bounce ideas off." Zetter also suggested the group could help the government make its case for cutting the 50 per cent top rate of tax.[2]
Notes
- ↑ David Singleton, 'Tory PR Chiefs Unite To Assist Conservative Party Comms Effort', PR Week, 5 August 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Adam Sherwin, 'Spin doctors step in to try to save Tories', The Independent, 9 August 2011.
