Government must ‘get on’ with MPs lobbying reform after Penrose resignation - PRCA
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) Public Affairs Board has strongly welcomed a call to reform parliamentary standards on MPs lobbying by the Prime Minister’s former anti-corruption champion.
Former Minister, John Penrose MP, resigned recently and said it was “extremely important” for democracy to fix problems with the UK’s standards regime affecting ministers, MPs, advisers, and civil servants.
His resignation follows the Committee on Standards new proposals for lobbying reform published last months, which incorporate elements of the PRCA’s 6-point Public Confidence Plan for Reform.
PRCA Public Affairs Board Chair Liam Herbert FPRCA commented:
“It sounds as though John Penrose has read our 6-point plan. We wholeheartedly agree with his comments on MPs engaging in lobbying; reform of the rules governing MPs is urgently needed for the sake of our democracy.
“The vast majority of UK lobbyists carry out their roles ethically under the Public Affairs Code. We need MPs to meet the same standards of integrity and transparency.
"The Government has long known about the need for lobbying reform and now the Prime Minister’s very own anti-corruption Champion has resigned citing these issues. The Government can no longer bury its head in the sand. It must get on and deliver the changes required to restore public trust in politics.”
