As outlined in the Coalition agreement, the government has now published its consultation paper on the introduction of a statutory register of lobbyists. Many of the questions posed, such as who should be required to register, what information needs to be provided and how often the register is updated are probably easier to consider rather than the primary question of the definition of 'lobbying' and 'lobbyists'. We all have just three months to submit our views. Questions about how to classify the role of lobbyists in-house, or for those who work for charities, trade unions or NGOs are familiar to anyone who has followed the growth of the public affairs industry in recent years. However, one certainty is that the government expects the cost of this statutory scheme to be borne by those who register. Unlike the current voluntary UKPAC scheme which is meant to apply to Scotland and Wales, it is clear from this consultation document that discussions have yet to be held with elected members of the Scottish parliament or the Welsh assembly over the remit of the statutory register. Past experience, certainly in Scotland, is that the Parliament in Edinburgh would seek its own rules and regulations. This new consultation process shines another light on the lobbying industry, which has a poor image thanks to recent media exposes of firms that guarantee all manner of promises including access to ministers. Lord Justice Leveson is currently providing a lid-lifting operation on the media, which could probably have done without all the attention. Quite what this consultation and the ensuing debates will produce on the lobbying industry is a moot point.
