BRITISH SWAY IN EUROPE

British lobby groups and corporations are among the biggest players in Brussels lobbying. The UK comes third after Germany and France in terms of the number of lobbyists operating at the EU level. The British have been the most adept at pulling strings in Brussels and at engineering regulations for the defence of their interests. UK's companies, trade associations, consultancies, law firms and think tanks are punching well above their weight. In Brussels, the UK is understood to be one of the most business-friendly Member States. When it comes to the financial sector, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the City of London have enormous influence over EU policy.

UK businesses promote their message through many channels (direct lobbying, using lobby consultancies, through the UK government, and through industry groups). They also work through think tanks that aim to shape the public debate and through MEP-industry forums. They also play a role as in-house experts for EU institutions, as members of expert groups, set up to advise the European Commission on different policy areas and issues.

Biggest UK Company Spenders on EU Lobbying

1. Llyods Banking Group (Finance)
2. British American Tobacco (BAT)
3. Rolls Royce (Aerospace)
4. BP (Energy)
5. International Airlines Group
6. Samsung Electronics Europe (UK-based)
7. Universal Music Group International (UK-based)
8. BT Group (Telecommunications)
9. GlaxoSmithKline (Pharmaceuticals)
10. Argus Media
11. London Stock Exchange Group (Finance)
12. National Grid (Energy)
13. HSBC Holding
14. Fidelity Worldwide Investment

Trade Associations (Most Active)

1. Association of Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) [represents the leading global and European Banks and other significant capital players]
2. International Association of Oil and  Gas Producers
3. Digital Interoperability Forum
4. Scotch Whisky Association
5. Scottish Fishermen's Federation
6. European Competitive Telecommunications Association
7. International Fur Federation
8. Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
9. Confederation of British Industry
10. British Bankers' Association
11. British Agrucultural Bureau
12. Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances

Consultancies (Largest)

1. G Plus
2. Fipra International
3. Other UK-based consultancies (Bell Pottinger, Bellenden, Cogitamus, Fleishman-Hillard, Guide Public Affairs, Hanover Communications, Incisive Health, PLMR, The PR Office, The Public Affairs Company, The Whitehouse Consultancy)

NGOs

1. ClientEarth
2. Environmental Justice Foundation
3. National Advisory Council to the Thalidomide Trust
4. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
5. World Animal Protection

Conclusion

The UK Government is still a well-respected interlocutor in Brussels. On the vast majority of the issues under discussion, the UK government has the same political leverage and influence as any other big Member State. In terms of the European Parliament, even though it can be argued that the Conservative are not as influential as they used to be, they are still a powerful group. Not to mention Liberal Democrats and Labour MEPs who hold key positions in political groups.

The UK card is  therefore still a strong card to play. However, it cannot be played alone. With very few exceptions, lobbying in Brussels is, and has always been, about forging majorities by building coalitions. By definitions this involves working with like-minded Member State governments and MEPs from different countries and political groups. So EU lobbyists should not give up on the UK but should probably not place all their eggs in the British basket either.