23 September 2008

“That’s an oxymoron,” quipped new, New Labour lobbyist Derek Draper, responding to a flyer on ‘lobbying transparency’, promoting a fringe meeting at this year's Labour conference. Ten years out of the game and he's as candid as ever.

Beneath the stories that dominated the headlines at conference – Brown’s future and the country’s fortunes – another issue was brewing. That of lobbyists and their licence to operate under the radar of public scrutiny.

The lobbyists in Manchester found themselves the focus of debate thanks to two back-to-back fringe meetings, one organised by the industry's trade body, the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), the other by the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency (ALT). ALT is a coalition of civil society groups, including Friends of the Earth, National Union of Journalists, Unlock Democracy and SpinWatch, who are concerned about the influence professional lobbyists have on public policy and the lack of transparency in the industry.

The fringe debate touched on much of the same ground covered by the Parliamentary inquiry into lobbying, which is due to report this autumn. Speakers John Grogan MP, David Miller of SpinWatch, Jon McLeod, UK Chairman of Public Affairs at lobbying firm Weber Shandwick, and Stephen Kingston, editor of the local grassroots magazine the Salford Star presented and debated many of the current concerns people have with professional lobbying. These include: the absence of transparency in the industry; the disparity in resources and access to political decision-makers between corporate lobbyists and the public; the revolving door between the lobbying industry and MPs, Peers and government officials; the apparent unethical behaviour of some lobbying firms and the weakness of self-regulation to prevent it; and the value of ‘community consultations’ conducted by PR and lobbying firms on behalf of commercial interests such as developers. 



Not long into the debate, heckling from the back began. Someone wishing to speak claimed that the level of debate was “low” and the speakers were being “naïve” (which given the collective experience of the panel came as something of a surprise). When it came to questions at the end, lobbyist Robbie MacDuff rose to say his piece. MacDuff  is a lobbyist formerly with Ian Greer Associates, now with Precise Public Affairs. He was recently appointed head of the APPC, the trade body established in the wake of scandals in the nineties involving Ian Greer Associates, to set standards and improve transparency in lobbying through self-regulation. 



In a lengthy speech, and reading from cards, MacDuff set out to defend the lobbying industry. What we need is transparency in charities, he said; lobbyists work pro-bono for good causes; regulation of lobbyists would create an exclusive ‘elite’ and deter others from lobbying etc. As he continued another member of the audience thought to ask him if he was in fact the fifth member of the panel, so intent was he on holding the floor. Chair Nigel Pivaro, formerly bad boy Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street, stepped in on a number of occasions to try and stem the flow, only managing to stop MacDuff with a look that was pure Terry.

Despite the barracking from the back row, the panel and audience – made up of progressive business, NGO workers, local councillors, media and lobbyists – debated the issues for a further hour, raising questions, dispelling myths and unpicking arguments. And while some stayed on for a drink, others went back to the day job, lobbying into the night.

According to sources, the APPC’s own event on lobbying the following morning passed without incident. With this fringe meeting held inside the secure zone, only those with conference passes were able to attend.