Now here’s a curious story.
A leading public affairs firm, Bell Pottinger, has cancelled hosting a champagne reception at this year’s Tory party conference – after a row about HIPs.
The magazine PR Week links the firm’s decision with an earlier warning from shadow housing minister Grant Shapps telling the lobbying industry in no uncertain terms to back off.
Last year, Bell Pottinger announced it would be switching its annual champagne reception from the Labour Party conference to the Tory event for the first time since the 1990s, apparently signalling its belief that the Conservatives would seize power.
But earlier this summer, Shapps fired off a letter to the magazine after it reported that a PR firm, Quintus, had landed a brief to change Tory opposition to HIPs. Quintus has taken over the public relations for AHIPP from Wriglesworth Consultancy, with the job to include lobbying.
But the letter from Shapps made it clear that no amount of lobbying would alter his party’s stance. He wrote: “There is a lesson here for the public affairs industry: last-minute attempts to change the manifesto and expect a U-turn on a party’s established and consistent policies are unlikely to succeed.”
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Comments
okay so the old system isnt favoured, HIPS are unpopular althought a HIP is just a collection of documents, many parts have been around years, the epc is here to stay: Who can thihk of an alternative? It seems the common ground is to have the information upfront.
In reply to Stephen, I did not say there was a free for all under the old system; I said there would be if HIPs are scrapped. Because there will be many people who recognise the obvious benefits of getting information about a property together up-front but also those who can't be bothered or can't, for some reason, understand the benefits of doing so. So that is why a chaotic, confusing free for all will arise. The internet is the means by which this information can be gathered, collated & presented pretty well instantly. That is what was not available under the old system & that is why, compared to what can now be achieved, it was archaic. Does Shapps believe that people will turn away from the ability to obtain information up-front? Of course they won't. So if mandatory HIPs are scrapped, hopefully the speculative sellers who don't bother to get them will find very quickly that they are at a distinct disadvantage; exchange ready HIPs including a condition report, are the way ahead.
Alex I understand flamming is done by Trolls. Get a life man.
Alex, I don't know why you are calling Shapps stupid. He has spent more time listening to and consulting with the industry than Labour ever did before HIPs. And now he has simply said that his policy will be set by the voters he represents and not by a small, vested interested group. Sounds pretty smart to me. If you don't like his policy, say so - but why insult him personally? Cheap.
what an insufferable stupid little man Mr Shapps is turning out to be would you buy a car off Him or his glorious leader DC
I would not They are as untrustworthy as the labour party has the shadow chancellor managed to pay back the CGT he owes yet?
GET RID OF HIPS!
Actually this doesn't seem to have much to do with HIPs and more to do with the fact that if the Tories aren't open to listening to lobbyists as clearly stated by Shapps then why would these firms waste their clients money attending a Conference.
On the same point Shapps is doing a good impression of a loose cannon - what chance him having any role in this market in the pre-election reshuffle that Cameron will inevitably carry out.
Grant Shapps 1 :: Mike Ockenden 0
Richard, I'm not sure why you ssy that the pre-HIP system was "archaic" or a "free for all". The system wasn't perfect but we had faster online local authority searches, online land registry searches and online tracking by clients. HIPs have nothing to do with these advances which were here already, so I don't see how a HIP is embracing the internet as you seem to suggest. The old system was complex but it worked. HIPs are equally complex but require vendors to pay up front and now hide more bundled up commissions. How is that an improvement?
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If Shapps has an ounce of sense he'll be very careful about what he says. His party has for years flatly refused to say how they would deal with improving the archaic system which was based around processes which had no conception of this modern stuff called the internet. OK you scrap HIPs legislation. Then what? Some people do this, some do that, some just sit there & complain. Another fine mess. At least there is the basis for some consistency with HIPs, unlike the free for all that would ensue if they are scrapped. If sellers & buyers are confused & irritated now, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Picky, can confirm no typo in the story. It did indeed read 'change' and not 'challenge'.
Awight Picky, you're nicked!!! The charge is not knowing what a lobbyist does. As the Court will no doubt explain, they try to CHANGE opinion of individuals or organisations.
As a first offence, you'll only get Community Service which will probably involve counselling ex HIP company employees looking for a job. Plus side is Quintus will send you a ticket to the Flying Pigs Awards where they're likely to walk away with all the major prizes.
HIP's are dead (not to be confused with EPC's) -and about time too. HIP providers get used to it. Agents and the general public are fed up with your protestations and spin.
Is there a typo in this story? It reports: "But earlier this summer, Shapps fired off a letter to the magazine after it reported that a PR firm, Quintus, had landed a brief to "CHANGE" Tory opposition to HIPs. Quintus has taken over the public relations for AHIPP from Wriglesworth Consultancy, with the job to include lobbying." Should it be 'challenge' rather than change?
Good Darts