Lobbyists ‘had better adjust’

Political reform sweeping through parliament is set to embrace public affairs if Dr Tony Wright has anything to say about it.

Recently appointed chair of the Select Committee to Reform the House of Commons, Dr Wright gave stark warnings to lobbyists during the Public Administration Committee’s latest evidence session today.

Noting dramatic changes in public appetite for political reform and demands for greater transparency in public life, he advised lobbyists to make better progress on their somewhat lacklustre efforts to improve transparency in the industry. Progress would be made one way or another he warned, so they had ‘better adjust’.

Given the task he has set freedom of information campaigners of drafting a possible bill, combined with plans to stand down at the next election over ill health, the sense of urgency in his warnings was more than evident. And with the Government’s reponse to the Committee’s report due before recess, the gauntlet has most firmly been laid.