Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill

Jim Cunningham Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Lisa Nandy]

That is a good question. Those of us who listened to the Minister earlier are still grappling with how on earth the Government could have got themselves into this position.

Unlike the Minister, we have been consistent in our support for extending the definition of lobbying to include special advisers. Throughout this shambolic process, Ministers have been unable to find a single good reason why that should not take place.

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

We can understand why the Government are in a muddle, because there is no public support for the Bill. However, there is public support for something to be done about lobbyists, rather than attacking trade unions all the time.

[Lisa Nandy]

Absolutely. I would simply add to my hon. Friend’s comments the voice of many charities, which quite simply cannot understand why they, as well as trade unions and grass-roots campaigners, are the target for this Bill, when it lets off the hook powerful vested interests.