Purpose – The Scottish Parliament was founded on principles of openness and accessibility and signalled the potential for a new style of politics after devolution. In the aftermath of allegations of political sleaze early in the life of the new institution, the Standards Committee of the Scottish Parliament conducted an inquiry into the registration of lobbyists. This process attracted much comment and criticism from public affairs practitioners and the Scottish media. Based on original empirical research, numerous interviews and first‐hand observation, the purpose of this paper is to offer a response to some of these criticisms.Design/methodology/approach – The research reported here is based upon extended fieldwork and observation of the developing lobbying industry around the new Scottish Parliament, spanning the period from late 1998 until summer 2003. It involved some 73 interviews with various corporate and voluntary sector lobbyists, public servants and elected representatives. It also draws on par...

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Learning lessons? The registration of lobbyists at the Scottish parliament: A reply to Coldwell

Regulated Lobbying in Scotland: A Typological Study of Public Affairs Practitioners

A key issue that has shaped opinion on ethics in the fields of public relations and public affairs in Scotland since 2000‐2001 has been the debate on the proposed registration of lobbyists by the Standards Committee of the Scottish Parliament. This paper summarises some of the key issues that emerged in this debate, drawing out some of the wider lessons for the PR industry as a whole. It illustrates how well‐meaning attempts to prevent improper influence over legislators can have broader ethical implications for those engaged in public affairs. It also highlights how narrow perceptions of the role of the so‐called “lobbyist” had a major impact on how the issue was dealt with. It argues that politicians, the media and others have relatively limited understanding of the range of activities that public relations and public affairs practitioners undertake and remain influenced by perceptions that owe more to the North American experience than that of the UK.

Ian Coldwell

Papers

The registration of lobbyists in the Scottish Parliament: The lessons for communications professionals