Aifa: "pressure group" tactics only effective in short term
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Aifa director general Stephen Gay said the trade body could use “pressure group tactics” but it would only work in the short term.
Speaking today at the Tenet Annual Business Conference in Ascot, he said an aggressive approach can “burn bridges”.
He said: “A pressure group can be very fierce about short term objectives without needing to consider the longer term consequences. Shouting about things can be great but it can be easy to burn bridges.”
Gay added it would be most effective for Aifa to be consistent in its approach to shaping policy.
He said: “My overriding directive as director general is to ensure our community emerges from the RDR and MMR not traumatised by the experience but fit and ready to influence policy makers on the European stage, as well as in the UK, for years to come.
“We know from our recent strategic review that some members want Aifa to contribute constructively in influencing and shaping policy in the committee rooms of the Treasury, Parliament, Canary Wharf and indeed in Brussels.
“Others want us to fight aggressively for the rights of IFAs in a way that is loud and visible. Can we do both? Only to some extent. Whilst we can make adjustments to the way we operate, ultimately we cannot have it both ways.”
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Readers' comments (19)
Mike Fenwick | 27 Jan 2011 1:16 pm
Rosa Parks : Lech Walesa : Emmeline Pankhurst : Martin Luther King : Nelson Mandela : Mahatma Gandhi etc etc ...
Seems strange that the victories they eventually won as thorns in the side of the establishments they challenged brought about changes that have long outlasted the regimes that saw them as nothing other than hotheads.
Even the Magna Carta was probablythe next day's fish and chip wrapper, huh?
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David Chubb | 27 Jan 2011 1:22 pm
Sadly AIFA tactics have not been successful long term else we should not be in the state we are in and with so so much anger in abundance.
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Lesley A | 27 Jan 2011 1:23 pm
More excuses for lack of results methinks.
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Paul Ross | 27 Jan 2011 1:27 pm
My dear Mr Gay, I wouldn't worry about burning bridges if I were you. There isn't going to be an industry to represent in Treasury, Parliament, Canary Wharf and indeed in Brussels at this rate.
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Anonymous | 27 Jan 2011 1:28 pm
So you should really inform those IFAs you are unable to represent. This would be TCF and save them their annual fee.
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Rod | 27 Jan 2011 1:43 pm
Try asking your Individual members, and represent their views rather than what you think they want.
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Mr Smug | 27 Jan 2011 1:45 pm
I doubt that AIFA has a "longer term".
Maybe short term pressure tactics could give it the support it needs to continue.
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Mr Fisher | 27 Jan 2011 2:35 pm
Mr Gay is a sopping wet Margaret Thatcher would have ordered him for breakfast.
As to bridges good job he was not in Arnhem 'cos he is certainly no Montgomery. let alone those mentioned by Mike F above.
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Paul Nash | 27 Jan 2011 3:49 pm
Is Mr Gay going to enlighten us with the results of his recent 'Strategic Review?'
Did his review confirm what most of us already know? That AIFA is unfit for Purpose!
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Ron | 27 Jan 2011 4:15 pm
Spot the man with the salary who doesnt have a clue about the industry he represents.
Every IFA woke up one morning and just fancied a bit of lobbying, not really anything bad going on down here, rest easy.
At least he can just get another job when this one no longer works, good job he hasnt got his assets on the line if AIFA subs fall.
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