As a PR technique, wholehearted apology can do wonders for you. It takes the wind out of your critics’ sails, displays your integrity and courage and puts you on the side of the angels. So you’d think more people would apologise more often. The trouble is, they just can’t bear to do it. And when, under pressure, they finally do, their apologies are so filled with weasel words and sneaky justification that they end up doing more harm than good. We’re all too familiar with the classic “I’m very sorry if anyone was offended by my remarks….” meaning, of course, […]

Personal attacks on Donald Trump just don’t work; in fact, they may actually strengthen his support. This is an empirical, uncomfortable, simple fact. It’s Issues Management for Beginners. You can see the same rule applying in British politics, where Jeremy Corbyn’s critics are jostling for the opportunity to pour vitriol on their new hate figure – to very limited effect. Whether it’s political naivety or self-indulgent posturing that drives them, time and again the only result is a strengthening in the following of those they attack. It’s quite simple really. Insult the beliefs and values of a popular leader, and […]

Manchester | Thurs, 21st January | 11.00am – 3.30pm     The Housing & Planning Bill, which was introduced in October, is currently making its way through Parliament. It contains many of the Government’s key reforms to the planning system. With major changes expected, what will 2016 hold for the different stakeholders involved? Nick Wood-Dow, deputy chairman of Chelgate Local, will chair a Westminster Briefing seminar on planning policy in 2016 in Manchester on January 21, 2016. The agenda includes: The Housing & Planning Bill and Government Planning Reforms Housing & Planning Bill measures and their impacts A legal duty for LAs […]

Personal attacks on Donald Trump just don’t work; in fact, they may actually strengthen his support. This is an empirical, uncomfortable, simple fact. It’s Issues Management for Beginners. You can see the same rule applying in British politics, where Jeremy Corbyn’s critics are jostling for the opportunity to pour vitriol on their new hate figure – to very limited effect. Whether it’s political naivety or self-indulgent posturing that drives them, time and again the only result is a strengthening in the following of those they attack. It’s quite simple really. Insult the beliefs and values of a popular leader, and […]

All coal-fired power stations will need to cease generating by 2025 – many will close far earlier due to a lack of investment. This will mean that a significant amount of gas-powered generation will need to be built in the next 10 years which, in turn, will result in an increase in the level of gas usage. The UK consumes, on average, three trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas a year. The North Sea, the main source of supplies since the 1970s, is now a mature field and only has approximately 19Tcf remaining. More than half our supplies are imported […]