Two-thirds of UK adults feel the public should know more about lobbyists seeking to influence MPs and Ministers CIPR research reveals
• New research reveals the public want to know more about lobbying activity
• CIPR publishes new lobbying position paper
• Dame Angela Eagle MP to speak at CIPR Public Affairs Group event on lobbying
• CIPR announces partnership with I Have A Voice to support public affairs education engagement
Two-thirds (67%) of UK adults feel the public should know more about lobbyists seeking to influence MPs and Ministers new CIPR research can reveal.
The study, delivered through Opinium, also reveals the majority of the public believe that businesses and organisations such as charities, trade unions and pressure groups should be able to meet with MPs and Ministers with the intention of promoting ideas to inform and influence public policy (59%) and that lobbying can help create better policy and law (52%). The research supports the CIPR’s new policy position paper on lobbying in the UK. Only 15% believe the public currently has enough information about who is lobbying.
The paper outlines CIPR’s long-held position that the lobbying register should be expanded to capture all lobbying activity. It outlines the Institute’s commitment in continuing to call for more transparency and ethical practice within the industry, including a new partnership with I Have A Voice to support their work engaging young people with politics.
Lobbying Event
Join our latest event on lobbying to discuss what could changes to lobbying legislation mean to those who are lobbied?
- With Dame Angela Eagle MP and Dr Hannah White, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government
- May 20, 12.30 - 2pm
- Register for free here.
This research, conducted prior to the story surrounding David Cameron and Greensill, highlights the appetite for more transparency in the important process surrounding lobbying activity. The public are sympathetic with the need to lobby and for organisations to have their voices represented, but this contract has to be based on trust which can only come from greater transparency and fairer processes. The lobbying rules, as they are, are not fit for purpose and we urge the investigation announced by the government to consider our new proposals in improving the system for the good of our democracy.
Having an impact through lobbying is something we should be proud of. Most of us who came into this profession did so because we want to make a positive contribution. That is why I set up I Have A Voice - to demonstrate to young people the power they have when they engage in the political process, to educate them on how this process works, and to empower them to have a voice. I'm delighted that this partnership with the CIPR will support our mission to achieve that, particularly at this crucial time.
The survey was commissioned by the CIPR and conducted by Opinium between March 9-12, 2021. Over 2000 members of the public were surveyed. The full survey reveals:
- Businesses and organisations such as charities, trade unions and pressure groups should be able to meet with MPs and Ministers with the intention of promoting ideas to inform and influence public policy – net agree 59% / net disagree 9%
- Businesses and organisations such as charities, trade unions and pressure groups can help create better public policy and law by influencing MPs and Ministers through lobbying – net agree 52% / net disagree 11%
- Knowing that MPs and Ministers engage with businesses and organisations such as charities, trade unions and pressure groups does not damage my trust in our political system – net agree 44% / net disagree 14%
- I want to know who is meeting MPs and Ministers and what they are lobbying for or against – net agree 56% / net disagree 15%
- I think the public should know more about lobbyists seeking to influence MPs and Ministers – net agree 67% / net disagree 6%
- The public has enough information about who is lobbying MPs and Ministers – net agree 15% / net disagree 50%
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas with nearly 10,000 members.
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).