In Defence of Lobbying

If it’s easy to pick on politicians, it’s easier still to pick on lobbyists. This is true on either side of the Atlantic. As Peter says, today’s allegations in the Sunday Times that Labour peers are trading cash for legislative amendments are unlikely to increase the esteem in which parliament is held. While members of the House of Lords are first in the firing line, I suspect we’ll also probably hear calls for a further clampdown on lobbying. All, of course, in the name of removing temptation from what Guido Fawkes calls our “parliament of whores”.

In the United States, Barack Obama spent most of last year railing against the perceived corruption of the political process by “lobbyists” and “special interests” and pledged to have nothing to do with such rogues in his administration. Except, of course, for when he wants to appoint a lobbyist or two to key positions.