An Industry Forecast?

Predicting events in the political future is, at best, an inexact science. Political pundits will use any tools at their disposal in attempts to calculate the mood of the nation at a given time, and the way the pendulum might swing in an election. Opinion polls are tracked; theories abound as to what influences people putting their X on the ballot.

But there seems to be a new tool in the analysts’ arsenal: the PR industry.

Since the Smeargate scandal cost Damien McBride his job, there has been much idle speculation on how long it it’ll take the ousted ‘spad’ to secure another role elsewhere. With a distinctive (if controversial) modus operandi, and an impressive contacts book, one theory mooted was that he might be a boon to any ailing PR agency looking to boost its credentials in Westminster.

However, this doesn’t seem to be the overwhelming opinion within the industry.

The MD of one agency has been quoted as saying: “…his reputation is so badly damaged that only a long period building churches in Rwanda will restore it.”

Indeed, the accepted view now seems to be that, not only to Labour spin doctors not have the status they used to, the tide has turned 180° in favour of people with links to the Conservative party.

George Eustice, David Cameron’s former press secretary, has recently joined one agency, and another has taken on Sir Richard Needham, who served for 10 years under both Thatcher and Major. And, whether by chance or design, this week’s PR Week features a column from Tara Hamilton-Miller, a political adviser who’s worked for the Conservative Party press team, rather than Alex Hilton, the Labour parliamentary candidate and blogger.

Whether the PR industry is merely following suit in switching their allegiance to the Tories, or an important weathervane in the political climate remains to be seen. But it seems that pundits have yet another divination tool to add to the box.

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