CIPR leads debate on lobbying register
Jane Wilson, CEO of the CIPR, will be sharing a platform today with Cabinet Office Minister Mark Harper MP, to debate the Government’s proposals for a statutory register of lobbyists. Speaking at the Hansard Society event in Westminster this evening ‘Should Lobbying be Transparent?’, Jane will continue to strongly make the case for a universal register of lobbyists, with no 'good cause' or other exemptions.
According to a recent survey of the CIPR Public Affairs Group, 70% of respondents agreed that the register should cover all lobbyists, including in-house public affairs practitioners.
Commenting on tonight’s event, Jane Wilson said:
I’m delighted to have been asked to speak this evening on behalf of the public affairs profession and will be pressing the point that a statutory register of lobbyists must be universal. Exempting lobbyists who work in house would ignore the significant role they play in influencing public policy and would place a disproportionate burden on the multi-client lobbying agencies and freelancers. It would also build loopholes into the register, which might be exploited by unscrupulous operators.
The CIPR Public Affairs Group hosted the first consultation event with Mark Harper MP following the publication of the consultation. Jane Wilson also recently participated in a round table event on the subject organised by the UK Public Affairs Council at which the Minister was also present.
Follow tonight's event on Twitter using the hashtag #clearlobby.
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).