I have followed the recent media coverage of Liam Fox, the former Defence Secretary, and his 'adviser' Adam Werritty with great interest. Inevitably there has been a renewed call from the media and some in politics for a statutory register of lobbyists. But would the Werritty case be covered by such a register? Of greater interest, but not yet spotted by the media, is the system whereby the EU pay NGOs large amounts of money to participate in 'public debate' on issues ( eg the environment). This money goes into NGO central funds and supports campaigns to oppose or overturn EU and member state policies. But EU money is public money so, is it right that public money is used to fund NGO campaigns against government policy? Should tax-payers' money be used by unelected NGOs to counter government policy. A register of lobbying will identify PRIVATE money used to influence government, but this is PUBLIC money provided by the tax payer. On which register is this declared? Answer - nowhere!
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