CIPR_No_Rules_Britannia - Flipbook - Page 5
Foreword by
Alastair McCapra, CIPR CEO
When the UK government set up its register of consultant lobbyists more
than a decade ago, it didn’t spend much time looking at how other countries
do it. We‘ve done the work on this now, and the results are alarming. As
we set out in this report, tried and tested alternative models for a public
register already exist. These registers enable lobbying and policymaking to
take place within a more open and accountable framework, a fundamental
requirement of any modern democracy.
The continued failure to bring our lobbying laws into line with others creates
an information vacuum - one that many will 昀椀ll with their own narratives,
accusations, or conspiracy theories. This is why the CIPR is advocating for
lobbying laws that re昀氀ect the reality of lobbying activity in Westminster.
Rebuilding public trust must be a priority and strengthening our lobbying
regulations is a vital step towards achieving that goal.
This is not just about domestic politics, it also speaks to the UK’s
international reputation. As we navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical
landscape and work to establish new relationships with global partners, our
credibility is tied to the integrity of our governance. Transparent and robust
lobbying laws are essential if we are to champion the virtues of democracy
abroad while maintaining our moral authority at home.
Currently, the UK’s lobbying laws leave us languishing at the lower
end of global governance rankings making it harder to promote our
democratic values on the world stage. This report is both a critique
and a call to action. We urge parliamentarians to use this paper as
a roadmap for reform that creates a level playing 昀椀eld for lobbyists,
fosters transparency, and begins the critical task of restoring trust in
our political system.
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CIPR / No Rules Britannia?
