Transparency in lobbying is an important first step in improving the accountability of Government. To help restore trust in politics, we need Government to introduce simple rules that would mean lobbyists have to disclose their activities, as well as a code of ethics for all lobbyists.

How you can help

We are asking Members of Parliament to support our call for lobbying transparency regulations. One easy way for them to show their support is to sign a Parliamentary petition, called Early Day Motion (EDM) 1637. It says:

“That this House notes the strong public cynicism about the influence of corporate lobbyists on British politics; that individuals and organisations which engage in lobbying activities are able to do so effectively hidden from public scrutiny; remains concerned that lobbyists are not subject to similar levels of transparency that political parties and politicians have been since 2000; that to help restore trust in MPs and the Parliament therefore calls for a mandatory register of individuals and organisations that are involved in lobbying MPs and the civil service and the introduction of an enforceable code of ethics for lobbying activities to ensure transparency of lobbying activities.”

Add your support by emailing your MP to ask them to sign the Parliamentary petition.

• Find out who your MP is from the ‘Write to Them’ website - just type in your postcode. Click here to write to your MP (opens a new window).

• Use the website to write to your MP to ask if they will support EDM 1637. It is better and more effective to express your views in your own words (remembering to mention EDM 1637: Transparency in Lobbying). The template letter below can be used as a guide.

• Find out if your MP has already signed EDM 1637 webpage.

I am writing as your constituent to ask you to sign an Early Day Motion (EDM 1637) that has been tabled by Michael Meacher on transparency in lobbying, with support from Peter Bottomley and Norman Baker.  I am concerned about the current lack of transparency around lobbying.
    
I agree with Mr Meacher that the activities of lobbyists need to be opened up to much greater public scrutiny. Regular media stories show lobbyists being granted privileged access to decision-makers, for example, by being handed passes to Parliament. Reports have also shown that lobbying is leading to some interests having much more influence on policy-making than others.

It is the lobbyist’s job to try to influence public policy. At the moment, however, there is no way for the public to know which particular interests are lobbying MPs and officials, and which areas of UK life they are trying to influence. This lack of transparency leads to greater public cynicism about the role of corporate lobbyists in British politics and damages trust in Government decision-making. Disclosure of the activities of lobbyists would make Government more accountable and help restore public confidence.

I agree with the EDM that a mandatory register of individuals and organisations involved in lobbying should be introduced. I also believe that there should be an enforceable ethical code for lobbyists.

I urge you to sign EDM 1637 to show your support for transparency in lobbying to increase Government accountability and so help restore trust in our political system.