BLOGS

Insights, inspiration and ideas from CIPR Public affairs group

Grasshopper - Election Insights

28 April, 2026

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Top tips and resources for getting your 60 CPD points before the deadline

The CIPR’s CPD deadline is fast-approaching, but not to worry. This blog explores just some of the ways you can log those last few points!

19 March, 2026

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What Does Good Public Affairs Look Like in an Age of Political Chaos?

Robert Rams MBE, Head of Public Affairs at Pennon Group Plc, explores how public affairs campaigns can weather the storm of chaos.

23 February, 2026

Building Influence in the Age of the Algorithm

David Jenkins, Senior Media Relations Manager at the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), explains why PR and public affairs professionals must now master both data and diplomacy.

27 January, 2026

Building Coalitions, Not Just Coverage

In this blog, David Jenkins, Senior Media Relations Manager at the Intellectual Property Office, explores the importance of coverage and coalitions in driving strategic change.

23 October, 2025

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Public Affairs leader to CEO

Chair of the CIPR Public Affairs Committee David Boot sits down with Max Sugarman, former chair of the committee and Chief Executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK, to discuss public affairs, leadership and the future of lobbying.

21 August, 2025

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Scotland at a crossroads

In this blog, Calum Macdonald, presenter at Times Radio and host of the Holyrood Sources and Whitehall Source podcasts, explores how Reform UK’s rise is starting to have an impact north of the border, and what this might mean for Scottish politics ahead of the May 2026 election

25 July, 2025

Why join the CIPR

In this blog, David Boot, Chair of the CIPR Public Affairs Group, outlines his experience of the CIPR – and why others should consider joining.

23 June, 2025

Lobbying Isn’t Dangerous – It’s a Part of Democracy

In this blog, Johan Nissinen, former Member of the Swedish and European Parliament, explains why lobbying is key part of any democracy.”

14 May, 2025

Public Affairs in the Digital Age

In this blog, Amelia Stokes, Chartered PR practitioner, explores the power of social media and AI in the modern world.

24 April, 2025

Children's Mental health week

Children’s Mental Health Week – reflections, progress and next steps from a 10+ year campaign.

2 April, 2025

Public Affairs professionals have a critical role to play in UK and Ukrainian security

In this blog, Jonah Munn, senior parliamentary researcher for the Labour Party, explains the key role of public affairs professionals in UK and Ukrainian security.

21 March, 2025

How to run political events

In this blog, David Boot, Chair of the CIPR Public Affairs blog, discusses the key steps in organising political events.

24 February, 2025

The Company and the Activist

In this blog, James Boyd-Wallis, Vice Chair of CIPR Public Affairs Group, summarises Stuart Thomson's book The Company and the Activist

6 January, 2025

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Foundational advocacy strategies

Ellen L. Finlay, discusses the importance of returning to foundational advocacy strategies

7 October, 2024

The importance of getting to the right answer

A CIPR Public Affairs Leaders Series interview with Monica Ariño, Director of Public Policy, UK and Turkey, Amazon by James Boyd-Wallis

9 September, 2024

The excitement of a new government

In this short Q&A, Caitlin Plunkett Reilly, External Public Affairs Manager at NHS Confederation, offers advice on how those working in public affairs can stand firm amongst the excitement of a new government

1 August, 2024

AI driven sentiment

The practicalities of implementing AI-driven sentiment analysis in politics and public affairs.

24 July, 2024

Analysis for strategic advantage

In the first of a two-part series, Talya Stone, CMO at AI-driven data intelligence company Permutable AI, explores how sentiment analysis can transform politics and public affairs, empowering leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

27 June, 2024

Lobbying and elections

Thomas Addison, Policy & Public Affairs Manager at The Physiological Society

In this blog, Thomas Addison, Policy & Public Affairs Manager at The Physiological Society explores lobbying at election time – and whether it really is business as usual.

12 June, 2024

How can Public Affairs become more Inclusive?

GK Strategy Advisers Noureen Ahmed and Annabelle Black discuss how the public affairs sector can improve inclusivity and share some thoughts on their own experiences as women working in public affairs.

15 May, 2024

Now you see it, now you don’t

In this blog, Jinmi Macaulay, Director of External Communications at Smart DCC, explores his role in managing stakeholders, the public affairs skills that he uses in his day-to-day job, and draws some interesting parallels with magic!

3 Apr, 2024

What does AI mean for mis/disinformation?

22 Mar, 2024

In the latest of our blog series, Sahil Shah, Managing Director of Say No to Disinfo, shares some thoughts on what AI means for mis/disinformation and its implications for organisations engaged in public affairs. What’s more, it shares some sage advice on how to tackle disinformation with early, effective responses.

Public affairs and growing as a senior leader

27 Feb, 2024

Rob Okunnu, CEO of the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health, discusses how public affairs professionals can grow as senior leaders

Public Affairs Leaders - creating the next generation

7 Feb, 2024

Rebecca Deegan, founder and director of I have a voice, discusses creating the next generation of politically engaged young people with CIPR Vice Chair James Boyd-Wallis

The political year ahead

17 Jan, 2024

Julia Ogiehor, Policy and Trade Relations Manager at ABTA looks at the political year ahead and the impact on public affairs professionals

Don’t give up on purpose

5 Jan, 2024

Nadine Smith, Government and Enterprise Director at Social Finance, explains why purpose is important for public affairs teams

Far from over - the First Minister Contest

21 Dec, 2023

Craig Lawton, head of public affairs at PR and comms agency Grasshopper assesses what we can expect from the Welsh Labour Leadership contest in the coming weeks and months

‘Two-gether’ We Move

1 December, 2023

Alfie Brierley, director of policy and public affairs at the Motor Cycle Industry Association explains some of the public affairs lessons from unleashing the potential of motorcycles in the face of phase out challenges.

Get to know your public affairs team
By Grace Thompson, public affairs lead, the Institute of Export and International Trade

23 November, 2023

Grace Thompson, Public Affairs Lead at the Institute of Export and International Trade explains why it’s important for organisations to understand what the public affairs function does and how they can go about getting to know them.

Noble Lords – The Importance of the House of Lords
By Grahame Woods, Senior Account Manager, at full-service comms agency, JBP

09 November, 2023

Grahame Woods explains why it’s important to engage with the House of Lords and how to go about it

Public Affairs Leaders Series: Managing risk in a more politicised era
By James boyD-Wallis

19 October, 2023

Interview with Stuart Thomson founder of CWE Communications who discusses the growing role and responsibilities of public affairs professionals

What is going on in Scotland?
By Neil Cuthbert Chart.PR, Director, PA Cooperative Ltd

5 October, 2023

Neil Cuthbert asks what’s going on in Scotland and shares his thoughts on how each of the parties may perform in the next general election.

the seven types of leader’s speech

19 September, 2023

As we approach party conference season Public Affairs Group Chair David Boot examines the seven types of leader’s speech
by David Boot

Public affairs leaders - Advocating for people and ideas

13 September, 2023

Interview with Jane Wallace, Head of Public Affairs at review platform Trustpilot
by James Boyd-Wallis

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Thinking about getting chartered?

17 August, 2023

Thinking about getting chartered? Public Affairs Group vice chair James Boyd-Wallis discusses the merits of becoming a Chartered PR practitioner and the preparation required.
by James Boyd-Wallis

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Summer reads recommended by the Public Affairs Group

25 July, 2023

Summer recess. That gap between the frenetic pace of Westminster politics and the intrigue of the autumn party conferences is nearly upon us. A time to recharge and take a break from the relentless pace of public affairs. Or perhaps a chance to do some light reading?
by CIPR Public Affairs Group Chair David Boot

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Public affairs leaders: with Natasha Thomas, Vice President of Public Affairs & Stakeholder Relations at Sage

27 April, 2023

Natasha Thomas discusses data, technology and the evolution of public affairs with CIPR Public Affairs Group Vice Chair James Boyd-Wallis. .
by CIPR Public Affairs Group Vice Chair James Boyd-Wallis

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Ensuring lobbying is open, transparent and legal

20 February, 2023

What we learnt about lobbying regulation and how to ensure an open and transparent profession.
by CIPR Public Affairs Group Vice Chair James Boyd-Wallis

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Them's the breaks. a look back on 2022

21 December, 2022

In a festive themed blog, James Boyd-Wallis looks back at what the CIPR Public Affairs Committee have achieved this year.
by CIPR Public Affairs Group Vice Chair James Boyd-Wallis

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Politics and reputation: what we need to know and do.

11 November, 2022

A review of "Reputation in Business: Lessons for leaders" by Stuart Thomson
by James Boyd-Wallis

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The era of the short-term Minister?

25 October, 2022

We are now at a time when Ministers are staying in their roles for ever shorter periods
by Max Sugarman, CIPR Public Affairs Group Chair

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When the unprecedented is not so unprecedented

20 October, 2022

How do Public Affairs Professionals react to Liz Truss' resignation?
by Rachael Clamp

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Making the most of Party Conferences

22 September, 2022

Party Conference season is a great opportunity for engagement. But how can you make the most of it? James Boyd-Wallis takes a look.
by James Boyd-Wallis'

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Do Party Conferences still matter?

18 July, 2022

With Party Conference season fast approaching, David Boot asks what these events have in store and whether they are worth attending.

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The state of public affairs in 2022

18 July, 2022

Following the CIPR's State of the Profession survey results, Donna Castle digs into what the findings show about the Public Affairs sector.

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Screaming blue murder: the Conservative leadership contest and the impact on public affairs

13 July, 2022

Screaming blue murder: the Conservative leadership contest and the impact on public affairs
How should Public Affairs professionals react to the Conservative Leadership contest? James Boyd-Wallis takes a look.

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How to influence MPs in the education and skills sector?

01 July, 2022

Anne Nichols explores the key policy issues in education and how public affairs professionals can prepare for the changes ahead.

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Fixing the house of commons

24 June, 2022

James Boyd-Wallis explores what we learnt from a sit down with Dr Hannah White, the Institute for Government's Deputy Director, as we discussed her new book, Held in Contempt.

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10 REASONS TO SIGN UP TO THE UK LOBBYING REGISTER

15 June, 2022

Why should Public Affairs Professionals take the opportunity to sign up to the UK's only free and open for all lobbying register, showing their commitment to ethics, professionalism and transparency.

The Government’s approach to foreign lobbyists suggests wider reform is needed

19 May, 2022

The Queen’s Speech included plans for a new National Security Bill to regulate foreign lobbying activity. CIPR Public Affairs Group Chair Max Sugarman asks whether the move makes the case for a more radical overhaul of lobbying rules…

The impact of coronavirus on lobbying

17 June, 2020

There’s been an explosion in webinars during the pandemic, and the CIPR Public Affairs Group was not going to miss out. Our very first webinar took place in June (kicking off a series of webinars this summer) and was imaginatively about...

A week certainly is a long time in politics

7 June, 2020

If a week is a long time in politics, as Harold Wilson once said, God only knows what he would have made of the past ten days. The political world is having to adjust quickly, in unprecedented circumstances. Prime Minister’s Questions is ...

Public Affairs in the new normal

20 May, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting all professions across all sectors. For those working in public affairs, the post-COVID19 new normal will require a step change in how we think about, and plan for, the operation of government for ...