Mark Harper MP
Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform)
Cabinet Office
70 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2AS

7th December 2011

Dear Mark,

I am writing to emphasise the importance of the Government's promise to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists and to encourage further details of the plans to be released as soon as possible.
In February last year, the Prime Minister gave a speech in which he said the practice of corporations influencing politicians behind closed doors "has tainted our politics for too long". I could not agree more, and believe that the Coalition's continued failure to take action on the issue of lobbying transparency is proving corrosive to our democracy. Recent media reports about Bell Pottinger's influence are just the latest in a line of revelations that give me cause for concern.
I acknowledge that lobbying is a legitimate part of the political process but, rightly or wrongly, there is a perception that the current system works against the interests of ordinary people. Transparency on lobbying is an important step towards regaining public trust in our democracy. I have lent my support to a Private Members Bill on Registration of Commercial Lobbying Interests sponsored by John Cryer MP, which received its first reading in the House of Commons yesterday.
The Government's next steps on this issue are crucially important. I believe the publication of a White Paper that is anything less than comprehensive and rigorous will do further significant damage to the electorate's trust in UK politics.
I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion

Read the Minister's reply