Contractors looked at post-election projects with Lowe Bell

It is clear from meetings held last spring that contractors were ready to consider an ongoing role for Lowe Bell following the election.

While their retainer agreement expired in March 1997, they told other industry bodies that they had £22,000 worth of post-election projects under discussion with Lowe Bell. They also urged other organisations to consider a joint arrangement with the company.

These suggestions were made during gatherings of the Construction Industry Lobbying Group. However, the move was opposed by the Construction Industry Council and the Constructors Liaison Group who complained that they were already funding the Construction Industry Board to gain a route to Government.

The Construction Industry Council said it would have to quit the lobbying strategy group if it was pressed to make contributions.

Client organisations told CJ: "We have always felt that the machinery of the Construction Industry Board, which is addressed once a year by the construction minister, is sufficient."

A joint appointment was never negotiated. The industry consulted Lowe Bell after the election about representations on capital receipts and planning events for the party conferences in the autumn.

But BMP stopped using Lowe Bell shortly after the election and the Construction Confederation went on to recruit a senior DTI man Stephen Ratcliffe to an influential public affairs position. Only the British Quarry Products Association (which has replaced BACMI) continues to use Lowe Bell on a regular basis.