Top EU referendum campaigners launch new lobbying firm
David Cameron’s former director of strategy has teamed up with Vote Leave rivals to launch a new public affairs agency.
Ameet Gill, a long-time Cameron advisor, and Paul Stephenson, head of PR for Vote Leave have today unveiled Hanbury Strategy, claiming to offer clients the best of both worlds, with voices from both sides of the referendum campaign.
The new group has also called on Vote Leave alumni in the shape of the official campaign group’s research director and communications manager to join the new firm.
Stephenson told Morning Wire: “We have a real competitive advantage with both Remain and Leave coming together. This makes us uniquely placed.”
Read more: How the EU referendum played tricks with your mind
He added that Hanbury had already started working for a tech startup based in East London, and he was not phased by the potential that businesses might not want to be associated with individuals so close to the divisive campaign. Both the official Britain Stronger in Europe and Vote Leave groups have been criticised by independent observers, such as the Electoral Reform Society, since the 23 June vote for the conduct of the campaign.
“When you are at the centre of political debate, like the campaigns were, there’s always going to be people who disagree,” Stephenson said. “But we have a very good idea about what’s going on and a lot of our colleagues are still in government. You can’t buy that kind of experience.”