Minister suggests a statutory register of lobbyists may support self-regulation of the public affairs profession
Mark Harper, Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, has suggested that a statutory register of lobbyists may support self-regulation of the public affairs profession.
The MP suggested that a statutory register may indicate who is covered by a professional code of conduct, a key suggestion in the CIPR’s response to the Government’s consultation.
Jane Wilson, CEO of the CIPR, said: “This is a welcome indication of how the register could support the existing structures of professional self-regulation. Codes of conduct, such as those provided by the CIPR, PRCA and APPC provide a link between professional standards, ethics and industry structures of learning and development. Steps towards Government regulation of the industry would undermine that link and, in my view, ultimately provide a less effective regulatory regime for lobbying and public affairs.
“I am very pleased the CIPR’s proposal for a definition of lobbying was raised. It is clearly an important part of the legislation that needs to be the focus of a discussion with the industry once the Government has decided whether or not the register will include all lobbyists. I would encourage the Minister to revisit my letter to him though. Our definition is not five pages long as he incorrectly informed the Committee. The definition itself is barely five lines but was included in a document that contains a commentary we felt would be useful in the wider debate.”