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Cameron puts brakes on his planned reform of lobbying
The Times: Sam Coates and Michael Savage May 11 2012
DATELINE: 12/5/12
The Government has downgraded its radical proposals to overhaul the lobbying industry in one of a series of U-turns contained in the Queen's Speech. The creation of a statutory register of lobbyists is expected to be included in next year's Queen's Speech — but only in draft form, signalling that it could be years before any actual change is introduced. This is despite the priority that David Cameron attached to reforming lobbying, which he called the "next big scandal waiting to happen".
His failure to push ahead with legislation for the high-speed rail line has also come under attack. Lord Adonis, who as Labour's Transport Secretary drew up the plans for the HS2 line that would link London and the Midlands, said it was a "glaring omission" that suggested a backbench Tory campaign to delay it was working."The coalition won't even be producing a Bill until nearly four years after I published the plan," he said. "In place of urgent action to invest in the future and counter the recession there is just complacency."
Lord Adonis also criticised the Government and his own party for refusing to back a third runway at Heathrow — Labour had said last October that it was withdrawing its support. He said the decision amounted to "economic self-mutilation".
The peer said that Mr Cameron would lead a "one-term government" because of his refusal to change course on spending cuts, and that the Government's policies could have cost the economy about £60 billion in lost growth.
"Only two countries in the G7 are still significantly below 2008 GDP — us and Italy," he said. "Not a happy comparison. All the rest — and notably the US, which maintained its fiscal stimulus — are doing far better."
Plans to introduce two Bills on Europe — one to authorise a treaty change establishing a permanent euro bailout fund and one to push ahead with the accession to the European Union of Croatia — may run into trouble with Tory MPs.
Mats Persson, director of Open Europe, said: "There are two issues with this EU treaty change that could cause big problems: first, it allows the eurozone to integrate further with consequences for UK interests; second, the quid pro quo guarantee that the UK won't be forced to contribute to euro bailouts in future may not be legally binding."
Tory MPs also expressed surprise that a proposal to recall MPs who had broken parliamentary rules had also fallen by the wayside, as the plan was being considered by a select committee.
The decision to leave lobbying out of the Queen's Speech, has caused consternation among the Opposition.
A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said that the government consultation had taken place, finishing in mid-April. The next stage would be for the Cabinet Office to publish a White Paper and draft Bill. "I wouldn't want to put a timescale on it," the spokesman added.
However, The Times understands that the legislation is still likely to be in draft form at the time of next year's Queen's Speech.
Jon Trickett, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, said: "Before the general election David Cameron said that lobbying was 'the next big scandal waiting to happen'. "He's been proved right, with his Government at the centre of it: with scandals around 'cash for access' [including] Adam Werritty and Liam Fox."
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/politics/article3411164.ece
Last modified: Saturday, May 12, 2012
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Previous lobbying stories
Lobbying official turned down reform meetings
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Previous stories
Lobbying
Lobbying official turned down reform meetings
It's time for transparency about lobbying if we are to clean up politics
Lobbyists to face statutory register
Death knell for self-regulation as lobbyists' watchdog collapses
MP calls for lobbyists' register after undercover sting
ALTER-EU: block the revolving door between Commission and lobby firms
"Transparency Register" does not yet live up to its name
How much access is too much access?
Fraud investigators barred from MEPs' offices
Lobbyists - Coalition urged to act
The best influence money can buy - the 10 Worst corporate lobbyists
Voting begins for EU 'worst lobbying' award
Tories must not backtrack on lobbyists
Bursting the Brussels bubble
Why we need a compulsory register of lobbyists
Majority of Brussels lobby firms avoid registry
Government happy for lobbyists to stay in the shadows
Government backs "Emperor's new clothes" for lobbying transparency
Why are we (still) waiting?
Where To Now For Lobbying?
Who is the government really listening to?
PM hints at lobbying shake-up
PR industry expects-crackdown
The way forward on lobbying
Brown must open up lobbying to win public trust
Reining in the influence industry
Lobbyists under the spotlight
Companies 'try to co-opt sector'
Slow and shaky start for EU lobbying register
Alliance for Lobbying Transparency meeting
