14 Compelling Reasons To Take Action Against The Lobbying Bill

Left, right and center, we can all unite against a bill that attacks charities and lets lobbying secrecy remain.

1. We were promised a statutory register of lobbyists.

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It started off so well. A statutory register of lobbyists was part of the Coalition Agreement and both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats promised to clean up lobbying in their 2010 manifestos. However, the weak lobbying register proposed in the Lobbying Bill currently falls way short of what was agreed.

2. Instead we got the 'Gagging Bill'.

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While the introduction of a statutory lobbying register was included in the Coalition Agreement, legislating against charities and campaigners certainly wasn't. The Bill is known as the 'Gagging Bill' because of the silencing effect it will have on charities and campaigners.

3. Ironically, the Lobbying Bill will only affect 1% of all lobbying activity in the UK.

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Rather than a comprehensive register covering all lobbying in the UK, the proposed register only covers 'consultant lobbyists' covering less than 1% of all lobbying activity in the UK and 1% is not enough.

4. Charities will be silenced if the Bill passes...

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Charities will be forced into silence as commenting on contentious political issues in the run up to an election risks breaking the law.

5. ...And local campaigns will be halted.

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Campaigns against closing local hospitals or saving local pubs could be stopped if it is considered they could affect an election.

6. It hasn't helped that the Bill has been rushed through Parliament.

There's hardly been enough time to properly consider the issues surrounding the Bill or have a good debate on the likely outcomes.

7. And there has been no consultation.

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The Government did not thoroughly discuss the potential implications of the Bill with those who would be affected.

8. For these reasons, the Bill has been rejected by charities and campaigning organisations...

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Hundreds of charities and campaigning organisations stand against the Bill as it will make it even more difficult for them to do their job. The Civil Society Commission, a coalition of charities, campaigning organisations and academics has called for changes to the Bill.

9. ...Rejected by transparency campaigners...

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Transparency campaigners argue this Bill is not fit for purpose. They argue these measures won't lead to greater clarity in lobbying and wasn't that the whole aim of the Bill in the first place?

10. ...Rejected by trade unions...

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Trade Unions argue Part 3 of the Bill will tie them up in red tape and that the Bill is an attack on civil society.

11. ...And rejected by lobbyists.

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Existing voluntary codes actually provide greater transparency than would be guaranteed under the new law.

12. The Electoral Commission have suggested several major changes to the Bill too.

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The Electoral Commission, an independent body giving guidance on elections run in the UK, has expressed great concerns describing several parts of the bill as 'unenforceable' and 'unworkable'.

13. Ultimately, the Bill attacks charities and campaigners and allows secrecy in lobbying to remain.

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14. So take 5 minutes to contact your MP and stand up for transparency.

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Now is the time to talk to your MP about the Lobbying Bill. Click here and ask them where they stand on the Lobbying Bill and let them know that you object.