The case against lobbying is that primarily reach, corporate interests can afford using their services. In the same time disadvantaged and marginal groups who cannot afford lobbyist’s services are barely hearable. Even Moloney admitted that the principal use of lobbying in UK has been to maintain public policy in favour of powerful, corporate interest.
Lobbying defined shortly means influencing government policy making on behalf of various groups and interests in the society who seek policy advantage. There are two distinctive types of lobbying: ‘insider lobbying’ done primarily by powerful corporate interests inside the offices of officials. ‘Outsider lobbying’ is done by attracting media attention and thus imposing pressure on policy makers. The former, considered as more effective, poses a challenge to the transparency of policy making since its ‘behind close doors’ environment creates a danger of corrupting politicians. Professional lobbyists would gladly mention their personal connections with policy makers. The enthusiasm to disclose such ties would not be shared by the second side. It is undeniable that lobbying requires access to politicians to communicate the values and agendas put forward by the various interest groups. There is, however, a crucial balance that needs to be maintained in these relationships to avoid illegality or favoritisms.
Relationship between MPs and lobbyist has recently become a subject to public scrutiny in UK and few recent scandals damaged the reputation of the lobbying industry. First came the Guardian disclosure of ambiguous relationship between State Secretary for Defense Liam Fox and his best man Adam Werritty. The latter, although not officially employed as civil servant, accompanied Fox on numerous official trips, attended meetings with foreign dignitaries and was an common visitor in Ministry of Defense. Those uncertain ties between two men led to questions over Werritty’s income and his ties with corporate interest seeking policy advantage and access to secretary of state. Those allegations led to Fox’s resignation.
Shortly after, Independent investigative efforts revealed a tape where executives from one of the largest Uk’s PR firm, Bell Pottinger boast about their access to top policy makers and dark arts they use to bury bad coverage and influence the media agenda.
Only recently, Tory party co-treasurer was recorded by ‘The Sunday Times’ offering undercover journalists posing as Lichtenstein executives access to the prime minster for a donation of £250,000.
All of those led to calls for industry’s regulation with strict register of lobbyists and officials publishing schedule and content of their meetings with lobbyists. Conversely, useful addition to any code of conduct would be lobbyist’s obligation to publish a diary of meetings they arrange with decision makers. What other measures do you think should be introduced to regulate the lobbying industry?
