Former Conservative councillor Lionel Zetter on how his debut novel draws on his experiences as a lobbyist and politician

Lionel Zetter represented Cockfosters ward between 2010 and 2014

Although I was born in Glasgow I have lived in Enfield for more than 40 years. I was honoured to represent Cockfosters as a councillor for four years, between 2010 and 2014, but when I stood for parliament in Edmonton I was soundly beaten by Andy Love.

I have had three non-fiction textbooks published on politics, but The Lobbyist is my first venture into the world of fiction. Of course, like any novelist, I was told to write about what I know, so the book does draw on my real-life experiences.

My late father was a diplomat, and we followed him on a tour of the world’s trouble spots, with lengthy postings behind what used to be called the ‘Iron Curtain’. The Soviet-aligned intelligence services followed, bugged and harassed all western diplomats, and also their families. This experience stood me in good stead when I was put on the Russian sanctions list as a result of my help for Ukraine!

I have also worked for a number of MPs, including locally Michael Portillo, whose loss was the stand-out moment of the 1997 General Election. Working in parliament was a huge privilege, and taught me a lot about how politics really works. Brief spells as a special adviser in the cabinet office and the Department of Health and Social Care also gave me invaluable insight.

Which brings me, of course, to my day job as a lobbyist. As a profession, lobbying perhaps does not have the best of reputations, but it is important to remember that it isn’t just big corporations who lobby – it is also charities and trade unions.

Throughout history, wherever there is power concentrated in the hands of one person, there have been lobbyists trying to get them to exercise that power in favour of their family, clan, members or shareholders. There is an argument to be made that lobbying is the second oldest profession!

All of this experience is distilled into The Lobbyist. It is fast moving and very contemporary. The action spreads from Westminster to Brussels and as far afield as central Asia.

The main characters are lobbyists, politicians and spies, all trying to manipulate and out-manoeuvre each other. The protagonist is deeply flawed, but with some redeeming features. There are powerful female characters, and scenes (hello Netflix!) of violence, and of a sexual nature.

All in all the book is designed to be a page-turner. Trust me – I’m a lobbyist!

The Lobbyist is published by Nine Elms Books. Use discount code LOBBY25 when ordering online:
Visit nineelmsbooks.co.uk

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