The news that some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names have come together to form a political action group highlights the potential dangers of simply throwing money at a problem.
One big caveat to start. The super-PAC will be operating in the US and their political system is very different from ours. There are requirements to put structures in place if organisations wish to make financial and other contributions. That should not though shift the focus away from the scale of the challenge the body faces. Money does matter in US politics in a way that it does not here but successful lobbying is not just about the size of the chequebook. In fact that can have the opposite effect with politicians needing to show that money doesn’t talk or buy influence.
Large sums of money can be a hindrance rather than a help. In terms that the tech industry may recognise, the super-PAC needs to think of itself as a lean start-up. That attitude would help to drive creativity and enthusiasm for its lobbying.
If we think of the body as, in effect a trade body, then it needs to bring in a wide membership base so that it is not seen as a narrow clique with important, but possibly more ignorable, issues. Being the play thing of a few monied individuals does not motivate politicians to take action.
It comes down to the strength of argument, how it is supported and ensuring that the lobbying is done at the right time to the right people. They are lessons which apply equally to the US and UK.
Given the budgets involved, the contributors will expect action and achievements. Not to start with but certainly after a few years. The body will need to demonstrate that progress has been made and that means being able to measure and communicate that progress to members.
From our perspective, the demands of the US government may soon become the demands made on other governments. If, as reports suggest, the first big issue that the super-PAC will tackle is visas for skilled migrants then that is an issue that rings true for the UK as well.
These are global businesses with global demands who do not like having to operate to different laws in different jurisdictions, although they will be sufficiently pushed. Governments do not, however, like spending lots of time and money in the courts defending their policies against big corporates. So the tech industry, and others, needs to be aware of the interplay between their legal approaches and their lobbying.
One of the first issues the super-PAC will focus on is immigration reform to enable more skilled workers such as engineers to come to the US but immigration is a highly political and often toxic issue. Lobbying on the issue needs organisations to act together to demonstrate that it needs to be addressed and that the ‘benefits’ for politicians to take action are sufficiently large. That makes it a cross party issue. If the same issue was raised here then media relations would be essential as well. There will be a lot of the media that would take an instant dislike to the position and will be vocal about it. Corporate reputations will be on the line.
Rich clubs of business people, from whatever sector, are indicative of a very old, closed type of politics and not the open, democratic, transparent approach which technology has made available to all. The super-PAC needs to embody that approach in the US and in other countries should it look to lobby elsewhere. Simply throwing money at problems rarely works.