CIPR calls for Parliament to work with lobbying industry as “fundamentally flawed legislation” passes second reading
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has responded to the passing of a second reading of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill 2013-14, calling for Parliament to engage with the lobbying industry at committee stage in order to prevent “fundamentally flawed legislation“ becoming statute.
We are thoroughly disappointed that this Bill has passed its second reading and will now move to Committee Stage without amendment. We are in agreement with a number of oragnisations and the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee that this Bill is fundamentally flawed and should not become statute. We hope that members of Parliament will now engage with the representatives of the lobbying industry as this Bill moves forward so that we may be able to help shape this legislation into something which will more effectively achieve the Government’s objective of increasing transparency, in what is a crucial part of our democratic process with an important relationship to freedom of speech.
Notes to editors
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).