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APPC Position Statement - Lobbying & a Statutory Register
Lobbying is part of any democratic process. What's crucial, however, is that the lobbying activity is undertaken in an open and transparent fashion.
All APPC members have already voluntarily agreed to be bound by a Code of Conduct which demands openness and transparency of dealings with politicians, ministers, officials and government departments. The APPC has operated a register for more than 15 years. APPC member firms are required to declare their consultants and clients every quarter. The APPC register can be viewed online at www.appc.org.uk
Crucially, the APPC Code bans political consultants from making any payment in money or in kind to an MP, Peer, MEP or to any member of the national or regional parliaments and governments. Political consultants are also forbidden from holding parliamentary passes, except in two very limited circumstances.
The APPC system of self regulation - registration underpinned by a rigorous code of conduct and independent complaints procedure - has been very successful. However, by definition, the voluntary APPC system only applies to APPC member firms.
There are thousands of individuals, entities and organisations in the UK - NGOs, businesses, professional associations, trade unions and charities - who are not bound by the APPC code (or any similar regime) but who seek to make a case to government departments and ministers, influence policy, or bring about change. They are all lobbying.
APPC member firms and their consultants are already registered. To be effective, a statutory register of lobbyists must be comprehensive and include all those individuals, entities and organisations who lobby in a professional capacity. We look forward to working with Government to achieve this.
APPC Management Committee
19th October 2011