The document defines what a lobbyists is and recommends that those involved who act as third parties for clients register.
The membership bodies behind UKPAC have been arguing for universality: anyone who engages with government in order to influence policy should register.
Meanwhile, libertarians who generally dislike regulation are calling for a stricter regime. It is important to note that the register will not regulate lobbying.
Anyone can respond to the consultation.
The key questions are:
- Should only third party lobbyists have to register?
- How do you ensure a register works?
- If everyone engaged in public affairs has to register how do you ensure your definition takes into account all the people who see government ministers and civil servants?
Lobbying doesn't have a great reputation. This due to various scandals. Some of these have involved lobbyists while others have been down to the behaviour of politicians.
With all these things, the devil is in the detail. Is someone who meets a minister to explain what will happen if a certain policy is pursued lobbying or merely stating facts? After all, that person may not be trying to change government policy but simply wanting to alert policymakers to potential unintended consequences. Should a register be tackling that sort of behaviour or the activities that have brought the profession into disrepute? If it is the latter, can you ever regulate people determined to break the rules?
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