Lobbyists will embrace measures that enhance professional standards
The lobbying industry will embrace measures that enhance its professional standards and highlight good ethical practice according to Lionel Zetter, CIPR board member and Past-President. Mr Zetter made the comments during his appearance this morning at the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee hearing where he was taking questions on the Government’s proposals for introducing a statutory register of lobbyists. Also providing oral evidence were Tamasin Cave, Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Professor Justin Fisher, Brunel University. Lionel gave his thoughts to the Committee in his own capacity.
Commenting on this morning’s discussion, Lionel Zetter said:
Both the consultation document and the questioning from the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee show that there is broad support for a statutory register. There is not, however, any appetite for bureaucratic and expensive regulation.
Lionel’s comments are in line with the CIPR’s view that a statutory register should be universal, has no 'good cause' exemptions and provides a level playing field in lobbying. The Government’s consultation paper, published on Friday 20 January, was welcomed by the CIPR and the Institute is now in the process of surveying its members before submitting its formal response before the deadline of 13 April 2012. The CIPR will be reviewing its code of conduct in 2012 with a view to strengthening the ethical element of practice and professional development in public relations and public affairs.
Furthermore, the CIPR Public Affairs sectoral group is hosting a ‘Future of Lobbying’ event with Mark Harper MP, the Cabinet Office Minister with responsibility for this consultation, on Tuesday 21 February. This will give CIPR members a chance to discuss with the Minister the government’s proposals as they currently stand. This event will be held at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and is open to CIPR members only.
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).