Mark Harper will be announcing proposals for a new framework for lobbyists on Friday.
As the Daily Mail suggested last week, it seems political lobbyists will be forced to join a statutory register and sign a code of conduct.
There is a rumour that the proposals may include an attempt to limit the power of trade unions, perhaps by placing them on the register.
The Independent on Sunday seems to have heard the same thing - buried halfway down a different story here.
If true, that element of the consultation would probably be heavily opposed by Labour.
Yesterday, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg described trade unions' influence over the Labour Party as an example of "vested interests" in politics.
The Cabinet Office has been accused of missing its deadlines to tighten up lobbying, after Harper first promised the proposals would be published in November 2011. Since the new year, there have been whispers that the proposals are nearing completion - it appears we may finally be going to see them.
Comments
Andy Ross - CIPR / January 17 2012 4:55pm
Spot on.
From agencies to charities to business associations to trade unions, if you are aiming to influence public policy then you are a lobbyist by definition. As such, all should be on a statutory register.
Andy Ross - CIPR / January 17 2012 4:57pm
Spot on.
From agencies to charities to business associations to trade unions, if you are aiming to influence public policy then you are a lobbyist by definition. As such, all should be on a statutory register. Ensuring a level playing field is a must and there should be no 'good cause' exemptions, or exemptions for those who claim they are not lobbying, even when they are doing precisely that but using a different name.