Crackdown on Holyrood lobbyists could create ‘two-tier’ access level to MSPs

A PROPOSED crackdown on lobbyists at Holyrood could create a “two-tier” level of access to MSPs, voluntary sector chiefs have warned.

A PROPOSED crackdown on lobbyists at Holyrood could create a “two-tier” level of access to MSPs, voluntary sector chiefs have warned.

• Plans launched to open up lobbying to greater public scrutiny in line with ‘founding principlies of the parliament’

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• SCVO fears registration payments may be introduced, with the difficulty in defining lobbying actions leading to exploitable grey areas

• Bill has received support from groups including Unlock Democracy and the Electoral Reform Society

Labour MSP Neil Findlay has launched plans for a change in the law which will open up lobbying to greater public scrutiny in line with the “founding principles of the parliament.”

A key change is the creation of a register of lobbyists with a consultation currently looking into how this would be funded and what should be in it. But the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation says the changes are “unnecessary and unworkable” and adds that trust in the system should be addressed by politicians themselves.

“The proposed Bill is pushing responsibility for the lack of trust on the wrong people,” the body states in a submission to the consultation

SCVO also fears that organisations and individuals could be forced to pay to register, while the difficulty in defining all lobbying actions will “create grey areas for many to exploit.”

It adds: “Organisations that do not meet the thresholds and therefore do not need to register may be at a disadvantage of a two-tier system that develops at Holyrood, granting access to those that have registered over those that haven’t.”

Lobbying occurs when individuals representing organisations like business, public bodies and trade unions meet with MSPs to flag up issues of concern with Government policy and other developments in public life.

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But the Bill has the support of groups like Unlock Democracy and the Electoral Reform Society who believe it will lead to greater openness.

‘Significant increase’ in lobbying

Mr Findlay says the transfer of powers from Westminster to Holyrood has brought with it a “significant increase” in lobbying activity and the new powers in the Scotland Act will increase this further.

“My Member’s Bill is a proactive attempt to open up lobbying activity to public scrutiny and is centred on some of the founding principles of the parliament, namely openness, transparency and accountability,” he said.

Unlock Democracy director Peter Facey said: “Lobbying is a multi-million pound industry which affects our daily lives, from the health care we receive to the regulation of the banks.”

Director of Electoral Reform Society Scotland, Willie Sullivan added: “When big banks or corporations lean on our elected representatives, they do so with substantially more weight that individual voters or small community groups.

“Greater transparency won’t change that huge imbalance in fire power but at least we will have more of a chance of seeing what’s going on and asking appropriate questions.

“If politicians and lobbyists have nothing to hide - then they have nothing to fear.”