Prospective MP: Emma Reynolds
Party: Labour
Constituency: Wolverhampton North East 
Links to lobbying: Lobbyist with lobbying consultancy, Cogitamus
Recent clients: London Midland; unknown

Emma Reynolds is hoping to replace the current Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East in the general election.

Emma is also a lobbyist with a London-based lobbying firm, a fact that, until enquiries were made, she failed to disclose to voters on her campaign website.

For over a year Emma has spent 3 days-a-week or more working for lobbying firm Cogitamus, where she “plays a leading role… providing a contemporary understanding of the Whitehall and Westminster scene”.

Emma said she hadn’t mention the job because her website is “geared towards the campaign” and what she’s offering the people of Wolverhampton.  This includes a list of her hobbies (running, going to the cinema and reading).

Cogitamus says it can help its clients in the construction, transport and environmental sectors win contracts, promote legislation and influence regulation.  

Until very recently the firm lobbied for the West Coast Main Line train operator, London Midland,  which covers Emma’s constituency. Emma declined to say how her firm had helped them, but says she “hardly worked with them much at all, really”, and would not have if it had presented a conflict of interest.

Other clients of the company include the trade body, the UK Contractors Group; and the PFI company, Kier Group.